The Miracle of the Bells
The Miracle of the Bells is a 1948 film produced by RKO. It stars Fred MacMurray, Alida Valli, Frank Sinatra, and Lee J. Cobb. Directed by Irving Pichel, with a script by Quentin Reynolds and Ben Hecht.
The story begins as Hollywood press agent Bill Dunnigan Fred MacMurray, who works for a fictional movie studio, arrives by train with the body of Polishborn actress Olga Treskovna Alida Valli, in her hometown, a city referred to affectionately by its population as Coaltown because of its coal mining industry. In a voiceover narrated by Dunnigan, we learn that he was in love with Olga, although we never find out if she truly reciprocated his love. He has brought her back to Coaltown to honor her deathbed request to be buried there. After encountering some hostility from the local funeral director who resents Olgas father because he was crooked, Dunnigan enlists the services of Father Paul Frank Sinatra, the local priest, who pulls some strings to grant Olgas request.The main flashback story then begins, showing how Olga is plucked from a chorus line in a nightclub to serve as a double for an extremely temperamental film actress who is to star as Joan of Arc in a motion picture. Dunnigan realizes that Olga has the makings of a talented actress herself, and when the films star throws a tantrum and walks out, he manages to convince Marcus Harris, the films producer Lee J. Cobb, to audition Olga, despite her having had no film experience. The screen test is a success and Olga is cast as Joan. However, as filming progresses, she shows signs of being seriously ill. After taking her to see a doctor, Dunnigan is secretly informed that Olga has a severe, potentially fatal form of tuberculosis, caused by her inhalation of the coal dust that circulated in Coaltown. Desperate to do something for her hometown that will restore the pride of its bitter and disillusioned citizens, Olga continues with the filming, and collapses after the shooting ends. Rushed to a hospital, she dies with Dunnigan at her side. ........
Source: Wikipedia
