Leo McCarey, wrote, produced, and directed his way to the most popular movie of 1944 and one of the most popular of the decade. Going My Way was the vehicle that turned Bing Crosby into a respected, bona fide actor. Sure, Bing had been in a other films, but it was his turn as the youthful Father O’Malley that really made people notice that he wasn’t just Bob Hope’s sidekick. Bing won the lead actor Oscar, something Bob Hope never did.
Bing plays a kindly priest sent to the failing St. Dominic’s parish in New York, in hopes that he can help it get back on its feet.
This church is headed by the curmudgeonly Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald). Fitzgerald earned enough votes from the Academy voters in both the lead actor category and the supporting actor category to be nominated for both award with only one performance. And according to Academy rules at the time, this was allowed. (The rule was quickly changed so this would never happen again. With good cause.) Fitzgerald, of course, won the supporting Oscar.
And so it is that Bing’s O’Malley and Fitzgerald’s Fitzgibbon clash over how to make the parish better.
O’Malley takes on a range of duties, including transforming a gang of young street toughs into a boys choir (a major plot device to get Bing singing), looking after a single mother with several children, about to be evicted from their home and helping a young girl find her way in the world (in other words, get married.)
It seems that making Father Fitzgibbon like him is another task on O’Malley‘s list, and he does everything in his power to do so. It is this relationship that will decide if the church sinks or sails on.
The film is dated and boring, centering on miracle man O’Malley who is given more than his fair share of chances to sing his heart out. Compared to other Best picture offerings of 1944, like Wilson or Double Indemnity, Going My Way just doesn’t deserve the title of best picture of 1944. for sheer enjoyment, the film is terrific and fans of Bing Crosby won’t be disappointed. The movie is uplifting and a terrific feel-good flick. The most popular film of 1944, but not the best.
Movies it was nominated with for Best Picture:
Double Indemnity; Gaslight; Since You Went Away; Wilson
Is the movie worth your time to watch?
6.5/10 11-02-07
Age at win: 41
Nominated for: Best Actor in a Leading Role, Father O’Malley, Going My Way
Nomination: 1/3 (acting), 1/3 (total); Win: Only
Bing Crosby was the most popular pop singer of the era, but was never considered a great actor until his success herein.
Crosby sings a good tune in Going My Way, a role that was perfect for him. He also plays a good priest, the kind of guy you would love to get to know.
The soft-spoken, kind-hearted Father O’Malley takes on many duties during his tenure at St. Dominic’s, and it seems as though he magically makes all the problems go away. Bing handles the character well, never overplaying the part.
This was the perfect role for Bing which he would duplicate the very next year in The Bells of St. Mary’s, never once type-casting himself.
11-02-07
Age at win: 57
Nominated for: Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Father Fitzgibbon, Going My Way
Nomination: 1/2 (acting), 1/2 (total); Win: Only
Barry Fitzgerald is infamous in his role as the curmudgeonly Father Fitzgibbon not for the actual role, but for the fact that the Academy saw fit to give him enough votes for a supporting and lead actor nomination.
At the time, the Academy, citing its own rules, allowed this to happen, but quickly changed the rule so this would never happen again. Of course, you could be nominated in both categories for two different roles, though.
In any event, Fitzgerald won the supporting Oscar for his portrayal of the Priest unwilling to reinvent his parish for the new day.
Fitzgerald, a terrific character actor, is wonderful in his role as the unsurly but hard to get along with old priest in which most people hold a soft spot in their hearts for. He is terrific with Bing Crosby, their chemistry is ever-apparent, and together make the film good, but still not the best Picture of 1944.
11-02-07
Bing Crosby
DOB: May 2nd, 1903; DOD: October 14th, 1977
Bing Crosby's performance
Barry Fitzgerald
DOB: March 10th, 1888; DOD: January 14th, 1961
Barry Fitzgerald's performance
