The Trouble With What?

What other film can be added to the canon of winter holiday films...let's see.  How about The Trouble With Angels starring Rosalind russell and Hayley Mills?  It's a classic film to introduce to kids who have seen everything.  Of course, it is not laden with special effects, but a story film.  You know, with dialogue.  Very few films have the "power" to keep a young audience enthralled, and this film is one of them.  Hayley Mills as "Mary" and June Harding as "Rachel" are a wonderful team as they get into some interesting, if silly, situations.  But then again, it is a movie where anything can happen.  Half the fun of this film is showing it to a group of kids for the first time and watching their reactions.  Boys tend to laugh during the "binder shopping" scene, whereas the girls retort with maturity that it is normal and natural for girls to go shopping for bras.  And the scene at the retired folks home at Christmas is great for a teaching moment about never forgetting our elderly.  Of course, the silly moments include cutting swimming class and its consequence; "convent tours;" and replacing sugar in the sugar bowls with bubble bath and the sisters, during tea, having a very Welkian moment.

Touching scenes include:  the story of Sister Ursula; the death of one of the sisters and the commencement scene where a surprise announcement is made.  Great entertainment from beginning to end.  Sequel?  Well, stick to this one first.  In some future blog we'll explore it.

What else can be said of a film made in 1966, directed by Ida Lupino and a nice score by Jerry Goldsmith...probably not everyone's cup of tea, but a nice trip back to a time when such films were classic matinee fare.  BTW, in her biography, Rosalind Russell (Reverend Mother) mentions that this film was not a pleasant experience, especially dealing with Haley Mills.

  Of course, if you are a product of parochial schools, this film is a nostalgic throwback to "Yes, S'ter!" and the strict, but loving, disciplinarian ways of Catholic Schools.  Check the film on DVD or if it is shown on TV.

"I've got a scathingly brilliant idea!"