MovieChat Forums > The Bells of St. Mary's (1946) Discussion > Delphine

Delphine

posted 12 years ago by andrew-rabel
2 replies | jump to latest

I find this one of the most interesting small roles in the Bells of St Mary's.

Schoolgirl Delphine Ford, played by child actress Edna May Wonacott. She was not credited for this role in the movie.

We first meet her in the playground when she ia having difficulty playing baseball. Sr Mary Benedict advises she must hold it straight, and step into hitting the ball with the bat. We all know this cause the ball to break the window, and the children run away scared.

But then most interestingly when the girls are being fitted with their graduation gownns at the store, she mocks Patsy in her dress saying, "Look girls Patsy is getting all the attention. Patsy's teacher's pet" when Sr Mary Benedict is trying to make sure she looks her best in this. Delphine complains Patsy had been given the prettiest dress, and that it would look better on her.

Then finding out Patsy will not graduate she kindly comes up to the window where Patsy is standing in front of and says, "Sorry you couldn't be with us Pat. Better luck next year. I'll be rooting for you". Patsy also learns that Delphine couldn't fit into that gown anyway, and laughingly says, "Too many milkshakes".

Kindness if often mentioned as a strong theme in this movie. In my opinion, considering their previous rivalry, Delphine's unsolicited empathetic words to her classmate, are the best example of this in the movie.

Finally when Sr Mary Benedict learns the truth that Pasty deliberated failed the exams, and lets her into the graduation, it is touching that Delphine and Patsy are next to each other in the procession.

[–] JackBluegrass 12 years ago

The given name, Delphine, is somewhat rare. It also happens to be the first name of my wife.

This is the 2nd movie in which I've seen "Delphine" appear. It was an earlier B/W movie in which I believe Ginger Rogers appeared. Ginger's character worked for a cosmetic manufacturer (in France?) named Delphine.

[–] ajr01 12 years ago

Hello Jack

I am the person who sent the original message, but I am using my original account.

Yes with IMBD, one of the cleverest things you can do is enter a search term for a character like Delphine, and find out how many films, someone had this name.

It sounds a little bit French, and I wondered, if it was a name that might have popoped out around parochial schools, at this time.

Your wife sounds a lovely person, too. I liked Delphine so much in the Bells of St Mary's.