Pick yourself back up kids, I haven’t lost all my marbles yet. I just happened to catch this and since no one else had taken the plunge, I decided to give it its fair due.

Based on the real life story of Jeanine Deckers, born in 1933 in Belguim, Soeur Sourire as her professional stage name and Sister Luc-Gabrielle as her Dominican name. Later, after leaving the order she adopted the name of Luc Dominique, which she used professionally for her recording career. Regrettably, no matter what name you wish to assign her, Sister Smiles took her own life in 1985 along side her purported lover Annie Pescher on the grounds of the school they ran in Belguim, penniless and hugely in debt.

It was reported that Ms. Deckers did not appreciate the release of this movie, stating it glossed the part up too much. She was particularly offended by the scene showing Debbie Reynolds (as Deckers) tooling down the highway on a motor scooter, guitar strapped to her back, habit flying in the breeze. The real Deckers considered her music a gift from God and relented to recordings to be used as gifts to parishioners and the order only. What her mind set became after leaving the order I don’t know, but I would think she would still consider her music a gift from God.

In the movie, Debbie Reynolds plays Sister Ann [yet another name change], the highly talented nun with no possessions other than Sister Adele, her guitar. The scooter incident occurs when Sister Ann is being transferred to a new order, this is her mode of transportation. This new location, a very poor section of Ghent, is run by Mother Prioress, Greer Garson, and Sister Ann’s head nemesis, Sister Cluny, Agnes Moorehead. The Father, Father Clements, is a quite young Ricardo Montalban.

Paralleling real life, the order is in financial trouble, although Father Clements manages to bilk the townsfolk out of a lot of goodies, and they resort to a record production by Sister Ann for money. Surprisingly enough, the recording studio head mucky-muck is none other than Sister Ann’s former boyfriend and fellow student at musical school, Chad Everett. [In the movie hints are made about a relationship between the two. In real life, it was insinuated that Ms. Deckers joined the order due to a failed relationship. Neither was confirmed.]

Naturally it was a grand success, although Sister Ann didn’t care for the limelight. Her dream, her goal, was to start a school in Africa with the help of Sister Mary (Juanita Moore). As success overtakes her life, Sister Ann quietly fades into the background, leaving the area, Chad Everett, and the recording industry.

The main song, Dominique, refers to the founder of the order, Saint Dominique. Coincidentally, a small boy falls under her care by the name of Dominic (Ricky Cordell), who comes from a motherless home and a drunken father, watched over by his sister Nicole (Katharine Ross).

Ed Sullivan appears in the movie, playing himself. Who else could play Sullivan, who has that stature and lack of personality that Ed portrays?

Overall I can’t say I was taken with the movie nor was I offended. Everything just seemed way too cutesy in the production and the makeup seemed a little much on Reynolds. However, I feel they tried in part to portray an idea of the life of the Singing Nun and the trials she met. Unfortunately it fell under the finishing touches of Hollywood.

The music was outstanding throughout, all written by Soeur Sourire, with the exception of two songs (Brother John & Raindrops) which were written by Randy Sparks. My personal favorite was ‘Raindrops’ because of the blend of voices in the performance. Raindrops was inspired by a release by Sourire, titled “Chante rivihre".


Yes, this is an old movie. The action (cars driving down roads, etc.) is cheesy and fake. The scenery throughout looks vaguely like cardboard boxes sitting on a stage set. Yet, it is a nice movie and there are so few nice movies anymore.

Don’t be ashamed to watch it. If you can stomach Debbie Reynolds it is worth it for Agnes Moorehead.

Thanks,
Susi



Recommended: Yes