Rating: 
Summary: The important thing in life is not to yield, but to choose
Review: "The Trouble with Angels" is one of those films where the whole is greater than the sums of the part. Worldly Mary Clancy (Haley Mills) constantly has "scathingly brilliant" ideas and drags her innocent best friend Rachel Devery (June Harding) into all sorts of hi-jinks at the St. Francis Academy for Girls, a Catholic School lorded over by one of the more formidable Mother Superiors in movie history, played by Rosalind Russell. Mary has modern views and has never seen a rule she was not interested in breaking, while Rachel wishes with all of her heart to be more like her friend. Based on the novel by Jane Trahey, the screenplay by Blanche Hanalis offers by a very episodic story as Mary and Rachel get in and out of trouble over and over again. Yet every time Mary and Mother Superior butt heads each earns a bit more respect from the others. More importantly, they come to understand each other. The original tagline for this film was that it was "a habit forming comedy," which is a rather ironic description given the film's rather surprise ending. Like Rachel, at first glance what happens at this end of this film is a complete shock. But upon reflecting-or watching the film a second time-it becomes clear that this is a film about finding something better. It is not surprising that Rosalind Russell captures the comedy of the Reverend Mother, but what might surprise you is how she provides the heart and soul of the film as well. I also want to recognize Jerry Goldsmith's score for this film and the way he takes the title theme and turns it into both the St. Francis marching band's song and appropriately religious sounding music for a key moment in the film. An excellent use of a basic theme in myriad ways. The title sequence was created by Fritz Freleng and David H. DePatie. "The Trouble with Angles" is a not a great film, but it is a solid, moving story that sneaks up with its message through the laughter and tears. I find myself watching this film every time I come across it on television, which probably speaks more to its strengths than anything, because I have never been a big Haley Mills fan. You should recognize Mary Wickes as Sister Clarissa, seeing as how she played another albeit more memorable nun in the "Sister Act" movies. Of course the movies are quite similar in terms of having a large cast of nuns who as distinct and interesting characters (who can ever forget Marge Redmond as Sister Liguori?). Finally, keep an eye out for Gypsy Rose Lee as Mrs. Mabel Dowling Phipps, who teaches interpretive movement...
Rating:
Summary: Totally Heart Warming Excursion into a Simpler Time
Review: "The Trouble With Angels", is one of those films that takes you back to your own childhood when life seemed alot simpler and nicer than in our present day hussle and bussle. I have always had a particular fondness for this charming story set in a Girl's Catholic Boarding School because of the terrific characters, the sentimental yet wise message it puts across and because it came along just as cinemea was moving into more adult themes leaving behind forever the innocence of alot of early 1960's movie making. I think all of us who have been through the school system in any part of the world can at least partly recognise things from our own school days in this funny and touching story. "Angels" relates the story of the misadventures of two young girls, wilful Mary Clancy (Hayley Mills in one of her most endearing roles) and her offsider Rachel Devery (June Harding) who reluctantly join the convent school of St. Francis. During the course of their years there the two rebels proceed to turn that establishment upside down with many madcap schemes that are always based on a "scathingly brilliant idea" to borrow Mary's usual exclamation, much to the utter despair of the Convent's formidable Mother Superior (Rosalind Russell in a wonderful performance). Being the leader of the two Mary finds herself locking horns on repeated occasions with the Rev. Mother until both begin to see and indeed admire aspects of each other's characters not at first evident. This appreciation however only develops after many trying clashes of personality usually at the Rev. Mother's expense ranging from smoking in the toilets, to placing bubble bath in all the sister's tea, to falsely calling out the fire brigade, to getting very revealing costumes for the school band etc. However in the course of all these clashes Mary and Rev. Mother both start to see the real individuals under the outward facade. Mary begins to realise that Rev. Mother has a warm heart and a creative side as seen in the beautiful dress making scene, and Rev. Mother begins to realise that Mary is just someone who is desperate to be loved and cared for. The surprise twist of an ending which I wont reveal here brings the characters full circle and provides the story with its wonderfully sentimental conclusion after much merry high jinks. What makes this beautiful little film such a great viewing experience is the great talent brought together in this story. Ably directed by former actress Ida Lupino, she here displays a wonderful understanding of female characters and how they best relate together. Rosalind Russell had I feel one of her best later day roles as the stern but caring Rev. Mother and displays a wonderful comic timing in her scenes with the girls and the other nuns. She is really one of the best parts of "The Trouble With Angels", and brings her years of expert comedy experience to the role without demeaning the characters overall integrity one bit. Hayley Mills and June Harding as the two rebellious students do fine work and bring all the necessary dimension to their two characters to make their development throughout the story entirely believable. The actresses who play the various nuns in the story also add tremendously to the quality of this film. Foremost Mary Wickes as the wacky Sister Clarissa, Marge Redmond as the lovely and untimately tragic Sister Liguori, and Binnie Barnes, Dolores Sutton and Judith Lowry all in their own unique way bring special qualities to the story. The film even boasts a cameo appearance by non other than Gypsy Rose Lee as an Avant Garde Movement teacher in a very funny sequence which once again drives the poor Rev. Mother to distraction. Each in turn either make us laugh or cry and are the special people that make watching "The Trouble With Angels", such an enjoyable experience. Like all good comedies there are moments of sentiment and drama in among the laughs and Mary's viewing of the Nuns at prayer during the Christmas season and in particular the scenes after Sister Liguori's death really succeed in creating quiet special moments in among the mayhem. This type of innocent storytelling from our childhood really couldn't be made today as effectively and it's that "time capsule" quality to "The Trouble With Angels", that makes it required viewing for me at least during each Christmas Season. It reminds me of simpler times and the values we were hopefully brought up with. If you enjoy veteran actresses in quality roles or just enjoy sentimental comedy of a very innocent kind then it would be a "scathingly brilliant idea" to check this little comedy out, you wont regret it!!! Enjoy
Rating:
Summary: a wonderful movie
Review: A film by Ida Lupino "The Trouble with Angels" is a very charming movie and it remains one of my favorites. The story is simple, but sweet. It takes place at the St. Francis Academy for Girls, where Mary Clancy (Hayley Mills) and Rachel Devery (June Harding) are enrolling as students. This is a parochial school run by nuns and is also the Mother House of their order. The school is run by the Mother Superior (Rosalind Russell). Mary and Rachel become fast friends on the train ride to the school and when they arrive they are inseparable. They love to pull pranks and just try to have a good time and get by for as long as they have to be at that school. Mother Superior tries to keep the girls in line and run the school as well as she can. As the movie progresses, we get to see how Mary reacts to the school and how she grows. The film quickly covers several years of their education but it doesn't feel as if it is jumping around too much. We see the transformation of Mary Clancy and while the ending comes as a little bit of a surprise, it really shouldn't. "The Trouble with Angels" is a wonderful, good-hearted movie that is perfect for the whole family. There are complaints that this DVD is in the pan and scan format rather than the widescreen OAR that it should be in, but knowing that that is the only format available we have to understand that this is likely the only opportunity to own "The Trouble with Angels" that we will have. The purist in me wants the widescreen, but the rest of my just loves this movie and is glad to have it available at all
Rating:
Summary: The trouble with Angels
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I would consider this my all time favorite movie.It is very funny and very real to me. I am a male and product of a Catholic education during the 1960's.I learned under the tutelage of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. My great aunt was a nun for 75 years when she finally died. Haley Mills and Rosalind Russell did an outstanding job of acting in this classic film. The moments of joy, sadness and sterness were acted out with such realism. Mother Superior was strict as well as witty. She was well respected. That is how she won the heart of Mary Clancy. If you are Catholic you will love this nostalgic film and learn to appreciate what the good sisters sacrificed for us.It was by their good example that many followed in their footsteps. The gothic sets which represent the interior of the convent and chapel are beautifully decorated. The exterior of this medieval convent was also very ornate. The convent grounds were also nicely landscaped. The Convent itself is located somewhere in Pennsylvania. I would love to go there and see if the old convent is still standing. You can view more of the school grounds in the sequel. The sequel is good but the original film is better. Watch this film once and you will want to watch it again. It is a classic!
Rating:
Summary: "Logouri, you've won your last race."
Review: When Rosalind Russell says that line white she is kneeling and has her arms spread over the coffin with Hayley Mills looking on and the background music playing the movie theme song softly, i bust into tears every time.This is a wonderful ageless coming of age movie about a catholic girls school and being brought up the proper way more or less. Of course for Hayley Mills and her side kick friend it one little troublesome task after another. This is a brilliant comedy but with alot of really touching moments. As hard a you will laugh at the pranks that take place you will cry just as hard for the beauty that is also shown in the lessons learned.This is a wonderful family movie with extremely high values, high energy, good humor, a termendious amount of love and just a great all around american film.Next to Gypsie, i rank this as one of Rosalind Russell's best films. Of course Hayley Mills no matter what she is in is a joy to watch. Just wish this film was on DVD. Please buy it, it's a great addition to any video library.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific movie, BUT...
Review: Why, oh why, did Columbia TriStar home video release this movie NON-letterboxed? At least half a dozen times on this DVD there's some little bit of action that's on or outside the edge of the screen (e.g., when Reverend Mother takes the $10 Rachel won for the dress she made--her hand with the bill in it is off-screen!!). VERY frustrating! Of course, like a jerk, I'll probably buy this DVD all over again when Sony TriStar finally decides to release this gem letterboxed. But, that's probably why they do it this way, eh? For now, however, they lose two stars for boneheadedness.
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Summary: TROUBLE WITH ANGELS - Wide Screen
Review: It is great to have Trouble with Angels come out in DVD, but why did it not come out in it's original aspect ratio. It is not an inexpensive DVD. It was either filmed in 1.66 which is not much to worry about, but if it was filmed in 1.85 we have lost some of the feel and picture.
It definately was not filmed in 1.33, as when the movie starts it states "made to fit your t.v." , plus almost every movie after 1953 was letterboxes with exceptions.
I hope the movie is released again in letterbox, but it is doubtful since it has already been released.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, but why standard screen only?
Review: This is one of my all time favorite guilty pleasure flicks. I'm not going to give a detailed review of the film because there are some very fine ones already here. I would just like to know, why, why, why, was this film and it's fun sequel, "Where Angels Go, Trouble follows," only produced in fullscreen format? I had been looking forward to the DVDs to see them restored, and in widescreen. I was so disappointed to find out they weren't. Were they shot with a fullscreen format? I'd sleep better knowing that was the case. If not, who dropped the ball on this one?
Rating:
Summary: DVD technical details
Review: For those who are outside the US like me, and are not sure if this DVD works on "Region-free" DVD players. I played this DVD on both my "Region-free" DVD player at home and on my "Region-free" DVD on my personal computer, and it worked on both. Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: Classic!
Review: What a wonderfully lovely, entertaining and silly comedy. Rosalind Russell is perfect for this role as is Haley Mills.
This movie is pure clean fun and a definite classic!
It's perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon or a cozy winter day.
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