Is The Singing Nun a True Story? Know about the Real Singing Nun
by A Maria
Updated May 13, 2023
The Real Singing Nun
"The Singing Nun" is a musical drama movie released in 1966 that tells the semi-biographical story of Jeannine Deckers, a Belgian nun who became famous for her song "Dominique". The film, directed by Henry Koster in his final movie, stars Debbie Reynolds as Jeannine, along with Ricardo Montalbán, Greer Garson, Katharine Ross, Chad Everett, and Ed Sullivan playing himself.
Harry Sukman received an Academy Award nomination for Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment for his work on the film. The movie features nine songs by Deckers, who was credited as Soeur Sourire, including five songs with English verses translated by Randy Sparks. Sparks also wrote two original songs and a third inspired by one of Soeur Sourire's songs.
Is The Singing Nun a True Story?
The Singing Nun is a musical drama film that was released in 1966, and it tells the story of Sister Luc Gabriel, who was also known as Jeannine Deckers. The movie is loosely based on the life of Deckers, who had recorded the chart-topping song "Dominique." Directed by Henry Koster, the film starred Debbie Reynolds in the lead role and also featured Ricardo Montalbán, Greer Garson, Katharine Ross, Chad Everett, and Ed Sullivan as himself. Despite the movie's popularity, Sister Luc Gabriel reportedly rejected the film, considering it as mere fiction.
The film is notable for featuring nine songs by Deckers, credited as Soeur Sourire. Of those nine songs, five had English verses translated by Randy Sparks, who also wrote two original songs and a third "inspired" by a Soeur Sourire song. The Singing Nun was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment, with Harry Sukman receiving the nomination. While the movie may not have received the approval of Sister Luc Gabriel, it remains a popular musical drama that highlights the life and career of the famous singing nun.
Cast of The Singing Nun
CAST
CHARACTER
Debbie Reynolds
Sister Ann
Ricardo Montalbán
Father Clementi
Greer Garson
Mother Prioress
Agnes Moorehead
Sister Cluny
Juanita Moore
Sister Mary
Chad Everett
Robert Gerarde
Katharine Ross
Nicole Arlien
Tom Drake
Fitzpatrick
Charles Robinson
Marauder
Ed Sullivan
himself
Ricky Cordell
Dominic Arlien
Michael Pate
Mr. Arlien
Larry D. Mann
Mr. Duvries
Monique Montaigne
Sister Michele
Joyce Vanderveen
Sister Elise
Colette Jackson
Jeanette
The Singing Nun Plot
The Singing Nun is a 1966 musical drama film that tells the story of Sister Ann (played by Debbie Reynolds), who leaves her Dominican convent near Antwerp to work at Samaritan House, a shelter in a depressed area of Brussels. Sister Ann is known for her love of music, and when she joins in the traditional evening singalong at Samaritan House, she impresses the other nuns and Father Clementi (played by Ricardo Montalbán). Sister Ann becomes close to a motherless child named Dominic (Ricky Cordell), whose father is an unemployed drunkard, and his older sister Nicole (Katharine Ross), who poses for pictures in order to support the family.
Sister Ann composes a song called "Dominique" for Dominic, and Father Clementi convinces a recording executive named Robert Gerarde (Chad Everett) to listen to Sister Ann's music in the hopes of having it recorded. Robert is surprised to learn that Sister Ann was his classmate at the Paris Conservatory of Music five years earlier, and he becomes attracted to her. However, when Sister Ann discovers Nicole's secret, her father reacts violently and throws her out of the house.
As Sister Ann's music becomes more successful, she becomes confused by her personal feelings and the attention she receives from Robert. Ultimately, a tragic event prompts Sister Ann to make a life-changing decision and she leaves for Africa to work among the natives.
The Singing Nun Ending Explained
In the end of The Singing Nun, Sister Ann, played by Debbie Reynolds, becomes overwhelmed by her success as a musician and her complicated feelings for Robert, a former classmate who helped her record the hit song "Dominique." Seeking guidance, she turns to Father Clementi, who helps her realize that her true calling is to serve others through her faith.
However, it is a tragic event that ultimately solidifies her decision. When Dominic, a young boy she had grown close to, is injured in an accident, Sister Ann makes a desperate prayer for his recovery, promising to give up her music and dedicate herself fully to helping others. Miraculously, Dominic does recover, and the Arlien family decides to move away from the city to start a new life.
Sister Ann, with a heavy heart, gives her guitar to Nicole, Dominic's older sister, and leaves for Africa to continue her work as a nun. She travels from village to village in a jeep that bears the name "Dominique" as a reminder of the music that brought her both joy and pain.
The Singing Nun Where to Watch?
You can now stream the musical movie, The Singing Nun, featuring Debbie Reynolds, Ricardo Montalban, and Greer Garson. You can watch it on various streaming platforms including Watch TCM, Spectrum TV, Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu on your Roku device. Enjoy the heartwarming story of Sister Ann, a guitar-playing nun who becomes a worldwide sensation with her hit song "Dominique."
Follow Sister Ann's journey as she leaves her convent and moves to Brussels to work at Samaritan House. There, she meets Dominic, a young boy whose father is an unemployed drunkard, and his older sister, Nicole, who poses for provocative photos to provide for the family. Sister Ann composes a song for Dominic, which leads to a chance encounter with her former classmate, Robert Gerarde. Robert helps Sister Ann record her music, and "Dominique" becomes a global hit.
As Sister Ann's success grows, so does her confusion and the attention from Robert. However, an accident involving Dominic changes everything. Sister Ann prays for his recovery and promises to give up her music if he recovers. When Dominic does recover, Sister Ann leaves her fame behind and heads to Africa to help the less fortunate, driving from village to village in a jeep with "Dominique" written on its tailgate. Stream this uplifting movie now and discover the power of music and faith.
Is The Singing Nun a True Story - FAQs
"The Singing Nun" is a musical drama movie released in 1966 that tells the semi-biographical story of Jeannine Deckers, a Belgian nun who became famous for her song "Dominique".
The film was directed by Henry Koster, in what turned out to be his final movie.
The movie stars Debbie Reynolds as Jeannine Deckers, along with Ricardo Montalbán, Greer Garson, Katharine Ross, Chad Everett, and Ed Sullivan playing himself.
Yes, Harry Sukman received an Academy Award nomination for Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment for his work on the film.
The movie features nine songs by Deckers, who was credited as Soeur Sourire, including five songs with English verses translated by Randy Sparks. Sparks also wrote two original songs and a third inspired by one of Soeur Sourire's songs.