movielist

MOVIE LIST

There are more than 140 motion pictures from the early 1900's to the present that feature bells in their titles! In addition, there have been dozens of television movies and television series that have used the concept of a bell or bells, including "Oh, Those Bells" (1962), "Hell's Bells" (1986) and "Saved by the Bell" (1989).

A few of the more interesting movie titles are shown on this page. The full list can be obtained by searching the Internet Movie Database.

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Dead Ringer (1964).
This entertaining "film noir" should inflict terror in the hearts of every handbell choir nationwide! It's a real thriller starring Bette Davis--she couldn't sing, but, boy, could she ring, Karl Malden and Peter Lawford. Bette's character murders and then assumes the identity of her recently widowed, well-to-do twin sister who married Bette's former flame 20 years before. Can Bette play her twin sister's bell position and fool the director?

The Bells of Innocence (2002)
Believe it or not, tough guy Chuck Norris is scheduled to star in this film with his son, Mike Norris, who shares writing credits for the screenplay. No word yet as to whether Chuck will make an on-screen appearance and shelley ring while simultaneously working out on the TotalGym apparatus he so frequently endorses on cable television infomercials.

When Eight Bells Toll (1971)
From the mystery/crime genre comes this thriller, which is based on a novel by Alistair MacLean. Hold on to your table pads, this film stars Anthony Hopkins and Robert Morley! Who the other six ringers are and why they don't ring with a full choir of thirteen remains to be seen.

Bells are Ringing (1960)
A classic romantic comedy starring Judy Holliday and Dean Martin. Judy plays an answering service operator (long before the days of voice-mail) who falls in love with one of her clients, Dean. He thinks she is old enough to be his mother. Will they ever make beautiful music together?

The Miracle of the Bells (1948)
Starring Fred MacMurray and "Old Blue Eyes" Frank Sinatra (in a collar no less), this important bell film features a scene in which all the local churches are asked to ring their bells for three days--pant! pant! There are rumors floating in Hollywood that this film is being remade with Douglas Wagner as the soundtrack composer.

Bells of San Angelo (1947)
Just one of the many bell "place" movie titles, proving that bell choirs are found just about everywhere. This old film is a generic western starring none other than Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Yippee chi aye!

Dishonorable Mention
    Here are a few bizarre titles that should eventually find their way to your local Blockbuster store in the music (restricted) section:
     Bell, Bare and Beautiful (1963)
          Actual Tagline: Can a burlesque queen find true happines in a nudist camp?
     Bells of Atlantis (1952)
          Short film. All we know is that Anais Nin is the "naked woman in hammock."
     Those Wedding Bells Shall Not Ring Out (1900)
          What a "no-brainer" title for a silent film! Totally unoriginal.