A well produced film: Lots of Laughs, But Also Deeper Meanings

“The Trouble With Angels” (TTWA) can be perceived on multiple levels. It combines slapstick comedy with melodrama. Some reviewers have rated other films ahead of TTWA because they had grosser gags. But TTWA is not an attempt to transfer Animal House to a convent. TTWA is really not so much a comedy as a serious portrayal of growing up, and of the forces that can bind, but also the forces that can separate, friends. We follow this process through the experiences of the two principal characters, Mary Clancy (Hayley Mills) and Rachel Devery (June Harding), and their interaction with the Mother Superior (Rosalind Russell). Russell plays the master of ceremonies, alternately dignified, angry, reflective or amused, and with a cultivated sense of timing. Mills and Harding were a sort of cinematic odd couple. Mills was a scion of a prominent English theatrical family, who at 19 had already been in 10 films, usually as the star. Harding on the other hand, was the 27-year-old daughter of a wholesale meat packer in a tiny southern Virginia town, now making her first major film. Watching them on screen, however, we are not conscious of these differences.

In fact, Mary and Rachel have similar reactions to life at St. Francis Academy, and soon become best friends. But beneath the surface forces are developing that will threaten their friendship. These forces are partly a reflection of their different backgrounds. Mary was brought up as a Catholic (in a summer vacation, Mary visits the Vatican and sees the Pope). But Rachel pretty clearly was not. Apart from this, the two begin to experience St. Francis Academy in different ways. Mary increasingly sees the nuns in a favorable light. But Rachel, having heard the Mother Superior characterize her as the “devil’s agent,” and denigrate her previous school (which she liked) and its headmaster (whom she admired), retains her unfavorable view of the school. And when the Mother Superior makes a rather bureaucratic announcement of a sister’s death, Rachel wonders, “How can she be so cold?” It gradually becomes clear to us that Mary and Rachel may be going separate ways. When she learns of Mary’s plan to become a nun, Rachel is shocked—she considers Mary a “traitor.” In the final scene, Rachel must decide which forces will win out, those of friendship, or those of enmity.

Harding’s contemporary letters (now accessible on Harding’s website), addressed to “Dear Mama,” reveal Harding as a sincerely modest person occasionally overwhelmed by her star status. She seems to have been on a first name basis only with Mills and perhaps the other girls; she tended to speak deferentially of the older actresses. Especially interesting is Harding’s relationship with director Ida Lupino. Harding was not an obvious choice to play the part of Rachel. At 27, Harding was much too old for the part. She had little background in comedy, and she occasionally made the wrong impression on motion picture executives (“too ‘New York,’” in the words of producer William Frye). Yet, almost from their first meeting, Lupino wanted to cast Harding as Rachel. And this decision seems to have been justified. Harding is featured in the film’s most comical and emotional scenes. For Mills, the script was more confining, and she comes across (perhaps unfairly) as a less engaging character.

This film is not as frivoulous as its publicity might suggest. It has substance as well as comedy.

love this old movie

saw this movie several times when i was growing up. Ive wanted this movie for a long time to show my kids,because i went to a catholic school. I could never find the movie in stores. shipping was great, quick and the movie was just as good as i remember goes great with wheir angels go trouble follows. so I would suggest both of them. kmar57

The Trouble with Angels, DVD

My family and I share a love of older movies. My sister and I particularly love the older Disney movies featuring Haley Mills. Over the years, I had purchased almost all of her movies as soon as they were formatted for DVD with the exception of "The Trouble with Angels." This particular movie was only available in VHS format, from which technology has obviously moved forward. I'd been looking for this movie to be released on DVD for quite some time, and finally lucked out one day. I'm extremely happy with the purchase, and am thrilled that eBay was the venue that allowed me this rare find.

A movie of laughter!

I love Hayley Mills! This movie is a blast to watch just for the fashions worn by the girls at this private ladies academy! How times have changed!
The mischief that the two leading ladies get into is so mild compared to the headlines of today...it was refreshing to relive my childhood and all it's innocence. Even the nuns attire has completely changed!
This DVD has excellent sound and color and is a pleasure to watch.
I'm looking forward to sharing this movie with my daughter and granddaughter as it is an excellent family movie.

taste of youth

I studyed in a catholic school. On those days the movie Trouble with the Angels was a hit because we used to do the same things that the two girls did.Smoking on the ladies room, skeep the classes... but very deep inside we loved de nones and the way they educated us.