THE BELLS OF ST. MARY'S (1945)

Starring: Bing Crosby & Ingrid Bergman

director: Leo McCarey

Amiable if meandering sequel to GOING MY WAY, with Father O'Malley assigned to a run-down parish where Bergman is the Sister Superior. Bing introduces the sing "Aren't You Glad You're You?"

Also directed by Leo McCarey, this film has Bing Crosby returning as the modern-minded priest once again up against a headstrong opponent, Mother Superior (played by Bergman). while not as memorable as his encounter with hard-headed older priest Barry Fitzgerald in the first film, this relationship---and the movie as a whole---does have its viewing rewards. (126 mins.)

My Rating: ***

THE GODFATHER, PART II (1974)

Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton

& Talia Shire

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

They said it couldn't be done, but cowriter-director Coppola made a sequel that's just as compelling. This one contrasts the life of melancholy "don" (Pacino) with early days of his father (De Niro) as an immigrant in N.Y.C. Winner of six Oscars including Best Picture, Director, Screenplay (Coppola, Mario Puzo), Supporting Actor (De Niro), Score (Nino Rota, Carmine Coppola), Art Direction/Set Decoration (Dean Tavoularis, Angelo Graham, George R. Nelson).

Oscar winner for Best Picture is even better in many ways than The Godfather, as this blockbuster completes what is surely the greatest gangster saga ever filmed. Michael Corleone (Pacino) has consolidated the power handed to him by his father, as the film flashes back and forth between the early life of the late Don Vito and the ongoing story of his embattled family after his death. (200 mins.)

My Rating: ****

THE HOUR OF THE GUN (1967)

Starring: James Garner, Jason Robards Jr. & Robert Ryan

Director: John Sturges

Director John Sturges's sequel to Gunfight at the O.K. Corral didn't seem like much when originally released in 1967, perhaps because James Garner was thought to have lost the charm he displayed in the TV series, Maverick. But today this outstanding western deserves to be. Garner is superb as an embittered and obsessed Wyatt Earp, who, with the help of an increasingly ailing Doc Holliday (Jason Robards, Jr.) sets out to bring Ike Clanton (Robert Ryan) to justice. Flavorful score by Jerry Goldsmith. (100 mins.)

My Rating: ***1/2