sbasu-47-608737
There is a very fine line between comedy and non comedy. I for one put it on the other side of the line. It is a sensitive coming of the age and antics of a naughty and rebellious girl Hayley Mills (Mary Clancy) with her devoted girl Friday June Harding (Rachel). Once the reason of her mental frame was known, which had been hinted, (though the hint had been telling), it explains her behavior and goes away from whatever comedy part one could assign to it. It is rather heartwarming portrayal of two generations of sensitive girls, the new (Mary) and the old (Mother superior). Another brilliant performance by evergreen Russel.
Tad Pole
. . . THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS is a "scathingly brilliant" movie full of magic. The magic of Orphan-Hood. The magic of riding a train to boarding school. The magic of attending an academy shaped like a castle. The magic of smoking cigarettes in the Girls' Room and cigars in the cellar. The magic of an unscheduled fire drill. The magic of K.P. Duty eight days a week. The magic of forbidden hallways. The magic of bubbles. The magic of risking school expulsion. The magic of snow sifting through the dorm windows. The magic of burlesque dancing. The magic of first brassieres. The magic of the Stations of the Cross. The magic of summer vacation. The magic of school band competition. The magic of learning to swim. The magic of needlework. The magic of community service. The magic of going overseas to teach lepers. The magic of Taking the Veil. Obviously, it would be IMPOSSIBLE to cram any MORE magic than this into one movie. Who says nuns are no fun? This is the funniest nun movie Hollywood ever made until Joseph Guzman's loosely-based remake of THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS came out in 2010: for something that will REALLY knock your socks off, follow-up ANGELS by enjoying Guzman's NUDE NUNS WITH BIG GUNS!
Amy Adler
Mary Clancy (Hayley Mills) gets shipped off to a Catholic boarding school by her guardian, a wealthy, woman-chasing uncle, who doesn't want her around. Almost instantly, Mary makes her feelings about being at the school very clear to the woman in charge, Mother Superior (Rosalind Russell). She, Mary, hates it! Naturally smart and devious, Miss Clancy, with the help of new and only friend Rachel, starts to enact "scathingly brilliant ideas". This includes putting soap bubbles in the nuns' beverages, leading "tours" to the sisters' living quarters, which are strictly private, and much, much more. But, M Sup, having been witness to the teen's uncle's nature, decides not to expel her, only give Mary tons of dishes and chores. Slowly, Mary's attitude to the school begins to change, as she sees the sacrifices the sisters make for others. Especially meaningful to Mary is the day they hold a Christmas party for a women's nursing home and Mary sees how M Sup consoles and hugs a lady whose family doesn't bother to attend. Could there be angels unaware that they are angels? Yes! This is a classic Mills film which also boasts a terrific performance by Russell. Although made nearly 40 years ago, families will still get the biggest kick out of the teens' antics and the meaningful life lessons they learn from the lovely nuns. All supporting cast members are terrific, too, as is the school setting, the costumes, the amazingly great script and the equally fine direction. If you have never heard of the film or you just want to take a stroll down memory lane, Trouble with Angels is superior entertainment for any evening.
acheapmom
Others above have summarized lots of the gems in this quality film...And Rosalind Russell comes across as a Worldly Wise Mother Superior...thus, the girls get away with little... ========== Anyone who teaches kids (or raises them) will observe - Hayley Mill's character (the wayward Mary Clancy) peeks around pillars - watches from windows...to see what Mother Superior and Co. really DO! And there's a realistic "payoff" at film's end.Hollywood has FEW WOMEN DIRECTORS!!! Ida Lupino should have been given many more films to direct!Rosalind Russell always seems REAL in her roles. And here, she (both a mom and a practicing Catholic in real life) brings a slightly tough edge to her Mother Superior role. She and Hayley Mills both are dominant personalities and they meet head on in this fun film. Even I (a Protestant) know from Chicago experience that teaching nuns must be be both devout and worldly wise at the same time. It's written "Be ye therefore Innocent as Doves...but WISE as Serpents!) Just bought this film for the price of a very cheap fast food meal at a big box store. What a treat!!!
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