Going My Way (1944) User Reviews

A Ray of Sunshine for a World In Pain

[robmeister · 7/10 · 8 December 2006]

If you are looking for something thoughtful, dramatic, or even controversial, go somewhere else. But if it's a light-hearted comedy you're after, then pull up a chair and check out "Going My Way".

Bing Crosby stars as Father Charles "Chuck" O'Malley, a newly-ordained priest assigned to take over St. Dominic's, a New York City church with a mortgage currently run by veteran priest Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald). Both Crosby and Fitzgerald give good performances in this movie, as attested by the fact they each won an Oscar (and Barry Fitzgerald was nominated TWICE, for Actor and Supporting Actor, a move that necessitated a rule change at the Academy). If you ask me, between the two of them, I would go with Barry Fitzgerald. His portrayal of the crusty, yet kind-hearted Father Fitzgibbon was a role he was born to do, and it shows.

This movie also features the talents of soprano Risë Stevens, who plays Jenny Linden, an old friend of Father O'Malley's, in town performing at the Metropolitan Opera House as Carmen. Though her acting is somewhat wooden (it was only her second role), she shines all three times she sings. Which leads me to the title of the movie itself.

"Going My Way" is not a story about the Catholic Church, nor is it about old friends reuniting, or even about two young lovers (James Brown and Jean Heather). It's about a song. That's right. A song, written by Father O'Malley, and upon which its success determines the very future of St. Dominic's. Like I said, this is light comedy; nothing too serious is happening here.

At the time of this movie's release in 1944, World War II was at its crescendo. The newsreels and the papers were full of reports of the war. Some war veterans had made their way back home after getting wounded in battle. Major offenses like Operation: Overlord (D-Day) had succeeded, but at tremendous cost. At a time when the world was at its grimmest, this was the perfect escape. The only reference to the war in the entire movie occurs when landlord Ted Haines Sr. (Gene Lockhart) discovers his son, Ted Jr. (Brown) quit his job and eloped with a young singer named Carol James (Heather). Just when he thinks his son has lost all sense of reality, he turns around and sees Ted Jr. in an Army Air Corps uniform. Only then, Ted Sr. realizes his son hasn't gone mad; he is off to join the war.

If you are a fan of the "Road" movies Bing Crosby did with Bob Hope, you most likely remember the occasional aside in which either Bing boasts about his Oscar, or Bob grumbles about it. Well, this is the film that gave Bing his Oscar. And he was nominated again the next year for playing the same character in the the sequel "The Bells of St. Mary's". Obviously, he must've been doing something right! "Going My Way" was a little ray of sunshine cast upon a pained world and, even now, it will still put a smile on your face.

Bing and Barry

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 20 December 2005]

Leo McCarey's sentimental 1944 film, "Going My Way" is a positive film that dealt with the problems of the inner city back when the term hadn't been coined. St. Dominic's Church is an oasis in the middle of the area that has seen better days. We realize how deeply in trouble the parish is from the start as Mr. Haines is trying to give Father Fitzgibbon an idea of how much he owes the bank and the fact the church will disappear soon.

When Father Chuck O'Malley arrives at St. Dominic to try to save it from its uncertain future, Father Fitzgibbon doesn't have a clue the younger man is going to be over him in all matters of importance. Yet, Father O'Malley never steps over the older priest's shoes to make his rank felt.

This film was shot after the more successful, and better made "The Bells of St. Mary's", but it was released earlier than the other film, probably to capitalize on Bing Crosby's popularity. The film, in fact, is a showcase for Mr. Crosby, who was a likable actor and singer. He has good opportunities in the movie.

As good as Mr. Crosby was in the film, Barry Fitzgerald steals the movie with his Father Fitzgibbon. Mr. Fitzgerald's crusty priest was one of the best creations of his long career. Frank McHugh, another excellent character actor of the era is seen as Father O'Dowd. Gene Lockhart also has a small role as the money man, Mr. Haines. Rise Stevens, the soprano is seen and heard in the film singing in her inimitable style.

The film is a classic that should be seen during the holidays, as it brings cheer and hope to everyone lucky enough to catch a screening of it during Christmas.

A heartwarming movie without being over-sappy.

[SinjinSB · 8/10 · 11 November 2003]

A very enjoyable film starring Bing Crosby as a progressive Irish Catholic priest who comes to St. Dominick's, a church that is struggling. Initially, he's not very welcome by most, including old Father Fitzgibbon...but with his charm and the song in his heart, he manages to slowly grow on the folks as he finds subtle ways to solve everyone's problems. This is a heartwarming movie without being over-sappy.

*** (Out of 4)

Bing Goes His Own "Way"

[jhclues · 9/10 · 28 December 2001]

In `Going My Way,' director Leo McCarey taps into one of the basic tenets of human nature, that being the fact that even the most selfless individual has wants and needs that often go unrecognized or unexpressed. It's a matter of understanding the human condition, being sensitive to what drives our fellow man and responding to it. A young woman of eighteen leaves home because of a conflict with her parents, yet has nowhere to go; a man with a touch of `Scrooge' in him, who runs a Savings & Loan has trouble setting his priorities; a gang of street-wise kids need some direction; an elderly priest after forty-five years has allowed his parish to slip into financial straits. All circumstances that are affecting in their innate humanity, and it's into this that McCarey taps directly with his story, and it's the reason for the success of his film. Simply put, it has heart-- and it makes it timeless.

Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald) has been at St. Dominic's in New York since it was built, but the financially strapped parish is in arrears on the mortgage payment, and Mr. Ted Haines Sr. (Gene Lockhart), of the S&L that holds the note, would like nothing better than to be able to foreclose on the church, because then he could raze the building and turn it into a parking lot. Meanwhile, the Bishop has sent a young priest, Father Chuck O'Malley (Bing Crosby) to St. Dominic's to look into the situation, and very quickly the good Father finds that he has his hands more than full.

Sent to take charge without `taking charge,' in deference to Father Fitzgibbon's tenure, Father O'Malley has his work cut out just trying to save the church; but that's not all he has to contend with. Found alone on the street by a local policeman, a girl named Carol James (Jean Heather) is brought to St. Dominic's, and Father O'Malley realizes that without some help, she's headed for nothing but trouble. He also encounters a lad named Tony Scaponi (Stanley Clements), the leader of the gang that has been terrorizing the neighborhood, and turning that situation around becomes a priority on Father O'Malley's `to-do' list. Then there is Mr. Haines Sr. to deal with. But most especially in need of all (though he doesn't realize it himself) is Father Fitzgibbon, and this, too, Father O'Malley recognizes. Now it's just a matter of addressing all of these needs at once; and as Father O'Malley finds out, it's no easy task.

There's something of the Angel, Dudley (played by Cary Grant in `The Bishop's Wife'), in Father O'Malley, as he is not only sensitive to the needs of those he encounters, but knows how to resolve their conflicts in a way that suits the best interests of all concerned. His solutions may be those of a perfect, pie-in-the-sky world and not necessarily a reflection of reality, but it works because it captures the spirit of what this movie is all about: caring and lending a helping hand to those who need it. The solutions may be unrealistic and overly simplified, but the feelings and emotions of the characters are very real, and McCarey's ability to capture that essence of humanity is what earned this film the Oscar for Best Movie of 1944 (McCarey received Oscars, as well, for Best Director and Original Story).

As Father O'Malley, Bing Crosby gives one of his best performances, which earned him an Oscar for Best Actor. But as good as he is in this part, the award is something of a surprise; the Father O'Malley Crosby presents has the patience of a Saint and insight to match, and his mild mannered approach to the character makes his portrayal the kind that are usually overlooked and under-appreciated because of the apparent facility of the delivery. And Crosby does make it look easy-- which also makes it very real, striking a chord as perfect as the solutions to the problems he solves along the way. It's interesting to note that when Crosby recreated the role a year later in `The Bells of St. Mary's,' though he slipped back into the character readily enough, it didn't seem to have that same depth or impact as in this one, but more of a `been there, done that' feel. Then again, this story and the characters with which he is surrounded here are much richer and have much more definition than those of the sequel, and this film is much more emotionally involving.

Barry Fitzgerald received the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Father Fitzgibbon, and well deserved it was. Father O'Malley may be the anchor of this film, but Father Fitzgibbon is it's soul. And the final scene-- unexpected and extremely moving-- leaves no doubt about it. That scene, in fact, so powerful in it's simplicity, veritably sums up the sentiment of the entire movie. It's a triumph for Fitzgerald, as well as McCarey, but the one who really comes out the winner is the viewer.

The supporting cast includes Frank McHugh (Father Timothy), William Frawley (Max), James Brown (Ted Haines, Jr.), Rise Stevens (Genevieve Linden), Eily Malyon (Mrs. Carmody), Carl `Alfalfa' Switzer (Herman) and Adeline De Walt Reynolds (Mrs. Molly Fitzgibbon). A heart-felt and uplifting discourse on the brighter side of the human condition, `Going My Way' reflects the good there is to be found in humanity if we but take the time to seek it out. An entertaining, feel-good film, this is what the magic of the movies is all about. I rate this one 9/10.

A Simple, Pleasant Movie Made More Memorable By Barry Fitzgerald

[Snow Leopard · 21 October 2004]

This kind of picture would normally just be a pleasant, upbeat movie worthwhile for casual viewing, but "Going My Way" is made more memorable by Barry Fitzgerald, who co-stars with Bing Crosby. There's nothing wrong with Crosby, since he is his usual self, low-key and amiable, and he has a few chances to sing as well. But Fitzgerald and his character are what adds the depth to an otherwise fairly simple story.

Crosby is rather well-cast as a young priest, since his benevolent persona seems to fit rather well in the role. As his older, more inflexible colleague, Fitzgerald delivers one of his many fine supporting performances, and in this case he has much more room than usual to develop his character as the movie proceeds. He makes the rather crabby old priest both interesting and endearing, and the character provides a valuable balance to Crosby's straightforward, well-meaning character.

The story is worthwhile, and though it is simple, the interplay between the two priests makes the rest of it work much better than it would have on its own. The somewhat episodic plot generally works well, and it provides many good moments, in addition to having some worthwhile thoughts to communicate.

Sweet and heartwarming

[HotToastyRag · 6/10 · 15 November 2018]

Going My Way was one of the most popular films of 1944, and in the 1945 Oscar ceremony, it swept up Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Story, and acting awards for Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald. The silly ditty "Swinging on a Star" also won Best Song, which seems like someone made a mistake. Speaking of mistakes, Barry Fitzgerald was nominated in both acting categories-after this, not while the nominations were being tabulated when it would have been a good time, the Academy changed the rules so that error couldn't happen again-for the same role in the same movie. Someone else could have taken one of those precious, coveted spots, but hopefully Barry didn't feel bad that he lost the "big one" and took home Best Supporting Actor.

This movie, presented personally by Bing Crosby to the Pope, has a winning combination that makes it indelible in American hearts. A young priest takes over from an older, experienced priest, and his newfangled ideas shake up the town; this type of story is always a favorite among American audiences. It has the perfect combination of "respect your elders" and "forge your own path" to please every age, and while there's no love story, Rise Stevens plays Bing's ex-girlfriend so we can see he once put his charm to good use. Everything's "safe" and heartwarming in this flick, so while it may have won more awards than it deserved, it's easy to see why it's a favorite for many. Wouldn't you trust Bing Crosby to reform an entire town?

"Swinging On a Star"

[telegonus · 9/10 · 14 November 2001]

A fairly old-fashioned film even when first released, Going My Way is probably a tough sell these days compared to other 'feel good' movies of its time. It's a little too long, a little too sweet, a little too casual, and has more than a little too much music. Then again, it also has Bing Crosby; and a Crosby picture without music is like a fish-tank without fish.

Bing plays a young, progressive priest assigned to the parish of an aging, stubborn, much older priest (Barry Fitzgerald) who desperately needs help in dealing with his church and congregation, and is too proud to ask for it. At first the old priest distrusts the younger one and regards him as too 'modern' in his outlook. In time the two men come to get along famously, but with a few bumps in the road along the way. The movie is a comedy and a sermon, a musical and a drama. It is at times painfully and at other times hilariously realistic. When it sticks to its central story it's just fine. But it zooms off in dozen different directions and at times seems to lose its way. In the end everything comes together neatly, but it takes an awful long time for the movie to get there.

Going My Way is literally the opposite of film noir. It is bright and sunny, and aggressively optimistic in tone. Yet it is set in the slums of New York in a parish surrounded by poverty and crime. Director Leo McCarey does not minimize the negative aspects of the parish community; if anything he emphasizes them,--in order to offer a cure, or rather cures: faith, hope and charity. The movie's sensibility can be summed up in the face and demeanor of its star, Bing Crosby, who manages to be smart, open, breezy, charming, sly and decent all at the same time. One can't help but be reminded, after seeing this film, that life's problems, heavy and complex as they are, can be addressed in other ways and in other vocabularies than those of social scientists and existential philosophers, and that simplifying matters, cutting them down to their essentials is perhaps as important as verbalizing them. Most people do not read the great books or discuss the great ideas, and for most of us complexity is a burden, simplicity a virtue. Without resorting to any theory or idea, Going My Way makes this point quite nicely, and offers some pleasant songs in the bargain.

One of the best loved of all Oscar movies

[MOscarbradley · 7/10 · 3 June 2007]

One of the best loved of all Oscar winners, Leo McCarey's deeply sentimental film makes no great claims to seriousness nor is it particularly cinematic, (the studio sets are clearly studio sets), but it's well-written and has a deeply likable performance from Bing Crosby as Father Chuck O'Malley, (the Academy liked him enough to give him the Best Actor Oscar and to nominate him the following year for playing the same role). He's the young priest sent to St. Dominic's, a parish down on its luck, to whip it back into shape and to replace the curmudgeonly old priest responsible for its present state. The older priest is the leprechaun-like Barry Fitzgerald and he plays the part shamelessly. The Academy gave him an Oscar, too, and it marked the only time when an actor, (Fitzgerald), was nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for playing the same role in the same film in the same year. (The rules were subsequently changed so it wouldn't happen again). The Mickey Rooney role of the street-wise older kid who makes good is played here by Stanley Clements. If the film has a fault it's that it gave us one of the most annoying of all Oscar-winning songs in 'Swingin on a Star'.

A movie that really sneaks up on you

[scgary66 · 9/10 · 27 August 2002]

It's an easily underrated movie, particularly because it flatly refuses to do most of the things that people expect movies to do today; there's a defiant unwillingness to slip into easy melodrama (though I often like melodrama), or to spend too much time on comedy, etc. The movie won't pigeonhole itself, and I think this leads to its secret - at heart, it really intends to be about what it's like to be a priest. You CAN'T pigeonhole yourself in that role, because you can't possibly know what's coming up, or really keep perfect track of all the different threads of a community at the same time. You have to take things as they come, and this movie really does that all the way through.

And there's also a sense of the wistfulness that comes from giving up that "plot-driven" style of living - in the scenes where Crosby visits his old girlfriend, there's a tangible awareness on both sides that they don't really know what happened to the "plot" of their relationship - they just took things as they came, and it really turned out OK for both of them. Most of the movie's separate narrative threads are left off, and returned to, almost at random - and the main focus on the relationships between the characters is what ends up shining through as intended.

A lot of the film is spent on scenes that seem kind of inconsequential at the time (like most of everyday life), but they invariably lead to a payoff later in the film. There's a shot of Gene Lockhart watching his son leave - a silent shot that just holds on a medium shot of the father, watching his expression for about 10 seconds - that I found absolutely sublime in its effectiveness. To me, that single shot justifies the half dozen scenes that led to it. Ultimately, the movie is almost happy to laugh at the audience for being so eager to expect more of a story. As one character aptly says,"Schmaltz is in this year"; the people behind this movie KNOW that a lot of people will want to dismiss it, but won't let them off the hook so easily. It's looks deceptively simple to make a film this easygoing and yet moving. (Capra tried it later in his career, sometimes with Crosby, and yet he couldn't pull it off.)

The Oscar win is OK, though I think Double Indemnity should have won, and I also like The Miracle of Morgan's Creek a lot more as well (THE SPOTS!!!); but Going My Way belonged in the top 5 that year, along with Laura and I'm-not-sure-what-else. (Gaslight, maybe?) And I'll note that I do like the "sequel," The Bells of St. Mary's (actually written first), a little better, too.

But as I wrote in the summary, this one really sneaks up on you; the last scenes prove much more moving than you expect, and the ending of the film - while initially seeming abrupt - leaves you suddenly saying, "Of course - it's perfect." Just moving on.......

9 of 10

P.S. Is it really set in New York? That's never said, and there's so much talk of St. Louis that I think that more accurate a guess. The "Metropolitan Opera House" is mentioned, but that's a generic-sounding name. Honestly, I think they went to great effort to make it as unrooted in a single locale as possible.

Easy-going but long

[AAdaSC · 6/10 · 14 February 2010]

St. Dominic's Church is in financial trouble under the guidance of Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald) and so Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) is sent by the bishop to turn things around. The two holy men work side by side but have a different approach to life - O'Malley's youthful outlook is not shared by Fitzgibbon. Fitzgibbon goes to the bishop to complain but ends up finding out the truth as to why O'Malley has been appointed. We follow the story of how fortune changes for St. Dominic's.

Bing is good as he breezes through the film in his likable manner but the star of the film is Barry Fitzgerald. He is excellent as a restrained grumpy old man who doesn't care for "Three Blind Mice". I think that the songs could have been better and the film definitely did not need an opera singer Genevieve (Rise Stevens) to sing a couple of songs in that fake way that only opera singers can by deliberately pronouncing every word so that it sounds wrong. For example "amen" becomes "aauurrmmiiin" - that kind of nonsense. The film goes on for too long, so, of course, it won an Oscar but there are better films that were made in 1944.......I could name about 30. However, it is a feelgood story that hooks you in from the beginning.

When Priests Were The Good Guys

[ccthemovieman-1 · 5/10 · 2 March 2006]

It's always been strange for a movie buff like me to see how things change over the decades. In the 1940s and 1950s, Catholic priests were the good guys and likable actors like Pat O'Brien, Spencer Tracy and even Bing Crosby made them even more attractive. Since the '60s, Hollywood went in the opposite direction and made them villains more than anything else.

Frankly, I never found a nun who looked like Ingrid Bergman or Audrey Hepburn, or a priest who could sing like Bing Crosby, but, what the hell, er heck....better to see a positive cleric image than a negative, I believe.

The first hour of this movie was very good and the film might have wound up a favorite of mine but the second half petered out quickly and never regained steam, except for a nice ending. The films bogs down with a romance that has nothing to do with the story. The music also lost its appeal to me when Crosby's fine voice was finished for the film, replaced by the operatic high notes of Rise Stevens.

Overall, the film has a number of nice, touching moments and Crosby is very likable but the story goes on too long and is not one I would watch a second time.

A warm and delightfully funny must-see!

[Pelrad · 10/10 · 28 February 1999]

Bing Crosby plays a young priest with progressive methods who is assigned to a dwindling parish. He finds himself faced with many wonderful characters, especially the grumpy old Irish master of the church (Barry Fitzgerald) who doesn't see "eye to eye" with the new guy. The interplay between Crosby and Fitzgerald is delightfully funny.

This best picture winner of 1944 at the Oscars is one of the all-time greatest movies. Crosby was as warm and benevolent an actor as he was a singer as his performance in "Going My Way" proves.

The film shows eventually that it is necessary in life to learn to accept everyone around you, regardless of faults and flaws of character, and to help your fellow people find their strengths and develop them in order to serve humanity. But, believe me, this film is anything but pedantic; issues such as these do not drive the film but arise from situations (often light-hearted) that arise naturally in the story.

An example of this is that there were some "juvenille delinquents" that the Crosby character rounded up, not to pass judgement or scorn but to organise them into doing something constructive that made them enjoy life and give up theft as a means of dealing with boredom - he turned them into a choir. Sounds a bit like "Sister Act"? I'm sure "Going My Way" had some influence on this more recent effort, but it is much superior in many ways. It reminded me also of Michael Landon's "Highway to Heaven" series (without the supernatural components).

If you are looking for an old classic with lots of spirit and warmth (such as around Christmas time) for your whole family to gather around and watch by the fire, I recommend "Going My Way". It is a must-see. (10 out of 10).

Toothless to a fault.

[Sergeant_Tibbs · 6/10 · 14 September 2015]

When Leo McCarey won the Best Director award for The Awful Truth in 1937, he said they gave it to him for the wrong film, referring to the heart-wrenching Make Way For Tomorrow of the same year. I don't know what better film he made in 1944, but it must have been very good to earn Going My Way 7 Oscars. This is far from his best work, but admittedly there's little wrong with it, it's just inoffensive and harmless to a fault. It's damn near void of meaningful conflict outside of its opening and closing 10 minutes. It tries to start an argument about the old vs. the new and independence vs. guidance but neither idea is fully fleshed out besides briefly in a titular song. Instead it opts for toothless pleasantness, ideal to cater to soft hearts during the end of World War II. In that case, I guess it would have been decent company in a volatile world.

But today, it's just far-fetched that a bunch of ragtag boys would suddenly reform into a church choir without much disagreement. That's more or less the bulk of the film so to have it so undeveloped leaves it unsatisfying. The film hinges on Bing Crosby's warmth and familiar songs and I can see how it can be intoxicating, but it can't exist on that plane alone. Barry Fitzgerald gets a lot of credit for the film's enduring success - and he's famous for being the only actor nominated twice for the same performance at the Oscars - but his mannerisms were more irritating than heartwarming. The film is handsomely shot for its time at least, but it didn't win an award for that department somehow. It's a shame it hasn't had the staying power of other Best Pictures that resonate like All Quiet on the Western Front and Casablanca, but it was the Academy's early days.

6/10

You better be careful or they'll make altar boys of you

[jeffhaller · 2/10 · 15 May 2016]

I finally made it to the end of this movie. I have tried for 50 years. I can forgive sappy. I enjoy lighthearted but this movie is simply stupid. It's funny how at least "The Bells of St. Mary's" had some dramatic conflict. Bing is okay, boring, and Barry is too cute for words. And this script has not a clever or unexpected scene. I understand that in the 1940s there was a need for some escapism, but there was "Meet Me in St. Louis" that year. And though I never cared for "Cover Girl" at least it moves. This is maybe the worst Best Picture winner, though "Gladiator" comes close. I am not Catholic, perhaps that is it. And I am also not an atheist though this movie seriously makes me reconsider that.

But what I really want to know is......

[highclark · 9/10 · 27 February 2005]

Going My Way---9/10.

Sometimes I can be such a sucker for sap and this film nabbed me hook, line and sinker.

I think the reason this films works so well, despite its sappy shortcomings, stems from the interplay between its two stars, Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald. Crosby plays Father Chuck O'Malley, the new easy going, yet radical and modern thinking replacement to Barry Fitzgerald's sweet and financially floundering Father Fitzgibbon. Being a radical and modern thinker for the time of the film's original release means that Father O'Malley can often be seen wearing a baseball jersey and sweat pants around the Church while Father Fitzgibbon is relegated to wearing the traditional frocks more becoming of an older and more respectable priest.

At first Father Fitzgibbon is taken aback by Father O'Malley's radical ideas for the church, but his fears are soon assuaged once he hears the results from O'Malley's new rag-tag boys choir, made up from the local neighborhood delinquents. Father O'Malley becomes more than a figurehead, he becomes a real Father to these kids; he takes them off the streets and into baseball games and gives them a positive outlet through singing to become a positive part of their community.

What Father Fitzgibbon doesn't know is that Father O'Malley was sent to his church as his replacement. Once Father Fitzgibbon discovers this bit of information, he runs away from the parish. Father Fitzgibbon doesn't get too far before Father O'Malley has him back in the church with the understanding that he will never get rid of Father Fitzgibbon. In fact, O'Malley not only has to look after the neighborhood kids, but also the aging Father Fitzgibbon. O'Malley decides to teach Fitzgibbon the game of golf (perhaps Bing was scouting for his own pro am at Pebble Beach?) as a way of keeping track of him and giving him a sense of purpose.

Although the movie will have its moments of 'Gods Will' (the fire that burns down the church) and of 'redeemable sacrifice' (Fitzgibbon's reunion with his mother), the movie really is a centerpiece for Bing Crosby. The movie seems to get by on emotion and good vibes as well as some very fine performances.

Even though the movie is quaint and good-natured, don't be surprised too much when you hear a couple of double entendres uttered by O'Malley while settling down to eat a turkey dinner that was acquired by Fitzgibbon only after the neighborhood kids stole it. O'Malley smirks aloud to the unaware Fitzgibbon that there's nothing quite like eating some 'hot turkey'. O'Malley then remarks that after the boys lost their turkey to Fitzgibbon that the boys must have 'given you the bird'. These remarks have the fingerprints of its director, Leo McCarey.

Yeah, sometimes I can be such a sucker that I'll believe just about anything. This movie won me over, and I feel good about that.

9/10. Clark Richards

No, I'm not

[Jaime N. Christley · 6 June 1999]

It's the sort of picture where you have to understand the mentality of the movie-going audience of the time. It was a sensation at the 1944 box office (#1 for the year, and the follow-up "The Bell's of St. Mary's" was #1 the next year); part of this had to do with the fact that it took America's mind off the on-going war effort and cheered them up quite a bit, and part of it had to do with its star, Bing Crosby.

Oscars were handed out for its hit song, Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald, the director, and the movie itself. The Motion Picture Academy, in a display of childish enthusiasm, gave Fitzgerald a crack at the leading Oscar and the supporting one, too.

Seen today, outside of the WWII context, the movie is a pleasant non-event. At its best, it contains a scene from "Carmen" that for a brief flash takes the film into the stratosphere, much in the same way "Vertigo" was featured in "12 Monkeys", and a clip from "The Third Man" was interlaced with a brief passage of "Leaving Las Vegas". Bing Crosby is the ultimate in old-school crooning, and Barry Fitzgerald is to crotchety old Irishmen what Walter Brennan was to crotchety old mid-westerners. At the film's worst, "Going My Way" is hopelessly naive and dated--at one point an exchange plays out as if it were a sitcom waiting for the laugh track (without the laugh track). It gives you a feeling that you're "hanging out" with the characters, and that at any moment they'll turn to you and say "hey, pal, thanks for renting the video. You're O.K. with us". Whether or not ferociously polite priests and aw-shucks street gangs will be invited to your next soiree will likely make or break the film for you.

In fact it's not a film at all. Not in the sense that "8 1/2" is a film, or "Star Wars", "The Godfather", or even "Wayne's World". It's an exercise in good natured good nature, and if that's what you butter your bread with, have at it. For those looking for dimension, wit, conflict, or any of those other extraneous story-telling devices, you might find yourself left out in the cold.

sorry, but trite and boring, though Crosby and Fitzgerald very good

[chipe · 6/10 · 27 June 2008]

I don't usually bother to write movie reviews, but I feel compelled to here. I was shocked that a best-picture Oscar winner could be as trite and boring as this one.

In defense of myself, let me first say: (1) I am no grouch. The same day I saw "Going My Way" (GMW), I happened to to re-see the wonderful "Captains Courageous" and cried throughout. I like Bing Crosby and found "The Bells of St Mary" (the one starring Crosby and Ingrid Bergman) to be immensely enjoyable, a zillion times better than GMW. I loved, and highly recommend, Leo McCarey's (the director of GMW) "An Affair to Remember" (starring Cary Grant).

(2) There were a few moments to like about GMW: the whole idea of a priest rescuing a neighborhood and church; the whole idea of Crosby being appointed to supersede/ease out Fitzgerald without the later realizing it; Crosby and Fitzgerald's acting and chemistry; the young man joining the war effort; and the reunion scene with the mother at the end (one of the most powerful/tearful scenes I have ever seen).

Other than those few scenes, there were no powerful, clever moments. Most of the music did nothing for me. A lot of what went on seemed scattered, unrelated, trite and too brief, too unconvincing. As one reviewer said, it was as though Crosby quickly waved a magic wand to get results, like easily/suddenly converting a street gang into a choir. On one hand, the film reminded me of those silly B-films of the period where they say, "hey, why not have a dance to raise money to...." On the other hand, there were hardly any moral/social/priestly problems that we see Crosby seriously/laboriously grappling with -- it is mostly singing, playing golf, eating and mingling with the upper crust (the moral of the movie seems to be: turn things over to a guy with good connections). He solves the runaway girl's problem with a $10 bill, for example. I don't know what he did for the elderly women tenant neighbors. Sorry, but I wanted to like it. I was all geared up to see a best-picture Oscar winner. And this film beat out "Double Indemnity" and "Laura" in a host of categories. Wow! To me it is merely a pleasant Crosby/Fitzgerald showcase.

What a joyous way to go...

[higherall7 · 10/10 · 20 April 2021]

When I was a substitute teacher, I remember writing a note on the blackboard in the back of the room. I believe it went something like this: 'THE LIGHTER THE COMMUNICATION, THE MORE POWERFUL IT IS....'. This film is a case in point. Bing Crosby goes about his business as Father O'Malley in a natural easy-going way. But then, that's the point of the film, isn't it? Sooner or later, you've got to go your way, and hope and pray that it is God's way as well.

Father O'Malley meets with triumph and disaster and shows neither of these impostors any favoritism. Instead, he genially invites them to have a seat while he tickles the ivories and turns junior thugs like Tony Scaponi into a church choir. He is the irritable counterpoint to the more straight-laced Barry Fitzgerald as Father Fitzgibbon. It also doesn't help much that he enjoys playing golf with his buddy Father Timothy McDowd as played with cheery irreverence by Frank McHugh. But then again, it's not above O'Malley to take Father Fitzgibbon along to the golf course and engineer for him a hole-in-one too.

Whether handling an evicted parishoner or helping a teenage runaway named Carol James to get on her way without descending into anything shady, it's steady as she goes for the redoubtable O'Malley. Soon it becomes obvious that while O'Malley lacks Father Fitzgibbon's vast experience, he wears his priesthood with a humorous gravitas as comfortably as his sweats or an old suit of clothes. Sure, he could have been a crooner comparable to his old flame, Jenny Tuffel, the Opera singer, but he makes it clear he's singing to the tune of a higher calling without putting too fine a point on it. This film shuffles along on the idea that everything works out in the end or not, but the main thing is how you treat people and how you care about them. Therefore it's best, according to the Gospel of O'Malley, to use a little love as a leavening agent to make the trials of Life go down easier. Life will throw you the occasional screwball and cause you to make sacrifices, but would you rather be a mule?

This was the highest grossing film of 1944. It was nominated for ten Acadeny Awards and won seven, including Best Picture and Best Director for Leo McCarey. Barry Fitzgerald won for Best Supporting Actor, but was also nominated for Best Actor along with Bing Crosby. The story goes Crosby had to be hauled off the golf course to accept his award, as he wasn't planning to attend the ceremonies and didn't expect to win anything. But he was hustled in at the last minute by his friends in a tweed jacket holding a pipe, and with casually masked surprise accepted his just desserts.

There would come a sequel to this worthy effort, but this musical comedy-drama plays footsy with spiritual truths while hitting all the right thematic notes. The songs are unforgettable, and it should come as no surprise that 'Swinging On a Star', with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke won an Academy Award for Best Music and Song. Later, after World War II, actor Crosby and director McCarey would present a copy of this film to Pope Pius XII at the Vatican. This is one 'feel good' movie that has a little touch of something special going for it. Fortunately, it does not take divine intervention for you to find out what that is for yourself.

Well-intented and sensitive musical-comedy about a progressive young priest assigned to a parish

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 28 December 2021]

Agreeable film contains heart-warming drama , comedy , love , friendship and a blazingly effective sentiment . Going My Way (1944) won Best Picture in 1944 , being a righteous and interesting portrayal of Father Chuck O'Malley (Bing Crosby) , a kindly priest assigned by the bishop to a downtrodden parish who works to get the parish out of debt , but clashes with the elderly curate Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald) , who is set in his ways . Sing, Bing . . . . You're A Grand, Gay Guy In Your Greatest Picture !. Bing's "little angels" - the roughest gang this side of reform school !. When the St. Louis Browns lost Bing, the Cardinal got a good singer!. In love with love! Jim Brown and Jean Heather!. There's only one voice like Crosby's .There's only one picture like this! .Never Before...so much warmth, so much fun, so much entertainment in the Crosby manner!

Going My Way (1944) is an acceptable and decent film , though some dated , dealing with a friendly priest who arrives in a parish in financial trouble , and similar to Father Flanagan/Spencer Tracy who created Boys Town , O'Malley attempts to help every little boy he meets . This is a sensitive , good feeling and nostalgic filck , including emotion , a love story between Jean Heather and James Brown , and an enjoyable relationship between O'Malley and his elderly colleague Father Fitzgibbon . This quintaessential Catholic priestness saga regarding boyfriendship and religious protection , as the familiar elements of the genre are all strongly and gratingly in place . The production was overseen by a Catholic priest who served as an advisor during the shooting . It has an attractive and charming screenplay from Frank Butler , Frank Cavett, uncredited Lloyd C. Douglas and being based on a story by director Leo Mc Carey himself . Leo McCarey was inspired to write the original story in tribute to his own aunt and childhood counselor Sister . At the 1945 Academy Awards, Bing Crosby and Leo McCarey won the Best Actor and Best Director awards for this Going my way (1944) and Barry Fitzgerald's Oscar winning supporting actor performance was also nominated in the best actor category . Being followed in similar style by Bells of St Mary's (1945) , adding the great Ingrid Bergman who subsequently won the Best Actress award for her role in Gaslight (1944) . Going my way (1944) and Bells of St Mary (1945) were both the top-grossing films domestically the years of their release , the first film series to do so. Bing Crosby's performance as Father O'Malley earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in Bells of St Mary's , the first time a person received a nomination for playing the same character in two different films , he had been nominated - and won - for Going my way (1944) the previous year . Furthermore , it displays catching and classic songs that enhance the attractiveness and endurance of the unforgettable story .

The motion picture was welll directed by Leo McCarey . He is the first director to win three major categories at the Academy Awards : Best Picture, Best Director and Best Writing, Original Story, for this Going my way (1944). He directed five Academy Award Best Picture nominees: Ruggles of Red Gap (1935), The awful truth (1937), An affair to remember (1939), Going my way (1944) and Bells of St Mary's (1945). Rating Going My Way : 6.5/10 . Well worth seeing . Essential and indispensable watching for classic movies buffs .

Definitely in love with this film

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 19 September 2016]

'Going My Way' is an immensely likable film and very easy to be charmed by. Should it have won Best Picture? That's debatable in a year with films like 'Double Indemnity', 'Laura' and 'Gaslight', but there are worse Best Picture winners around before and after.

The romance does bog the film down a little and could have been developed more, and the scenes with the inner-city street urchins transforming into angelic choir boys are a bit cheesy and suspending of disbelief is somewhat needed. Despite being a long film and a film that moves slowly and takes its time to unfold (things that may alienate some), they didn't come over as problems at all because the emotions all through the story and the winning performances make 'Going My Way' so engrossing.

Bing Crosby has never been better dramatically, appealing street-wise and likable, and as ever his voice is beautiful and mellow, the kind of voice you can listen to for hours and not get tired of it, particularly in the Oscar-winning song "Swinging on a Star". Barry Fitzgerald's peppery and charmingly twinkling performance is also among his best, along with 'And Then There Were None' and 'The Quiet Man'. Love the chemistry between the two of them too. Rise Stevens brings some affecting heart and mystery, and as ever sings with an angelic richness, the film also sees a glimpse of the role she was most famous for for very good reason in "Habanera" from Bizet's 'Carmen'.

It's a lovely-looking film visually, with a real elegance and it's beautifully photographed too. The music is wonderful, especially "Swinging on a Star" and "Habanera" and "Ave Maria" are effectively utilised. The story is incredibly moving and makes one feel good, while the direction is focused for a long film with a number of plot strands and the script expertly balances humour, charm, heart and pathos.

In summary, while not my pick for Best Picture that year there is definitely a lot of love for 'Going My Way'. 9/10 Bethany Cox

An Entertaining Look at Bing Crosby

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 22 January 2016]

Youthful Father Chuck O'Malley led a colorful life of sports, song, and romance before joining the Roman Catholic clergy, but his level gaze and twinkling eyes make it clear that he knows he made the right choice. After joining a parish, O'Malley's worldly knowledge helps him connect with a gang of kids looking for direction and handle the business details of the church-building fund, winning over his aging, conventional superior, Father Fitzgibbon.

So, this is a role Bing Crosby had a few times... and it seems odd, a man who liked to golf with gangsters playing a Catholic priest. But maybe that makes sense, especially for the kind of priest he plays. He sees the value in helping the downtrodden and "lesser" members of society. That is a true hero.

This also happens to be a very musical film, again not surprising given Bing's history. But in it we also mix street kids singing, an opera and even a classic Irish song.

For Those Who Cry at Hallmark Commercials

[evanston_dad · 4/10 · 5 July 2005]

Slow, ponderous, almost completely lacking in dramatic significance and cavity-inducing in its sweetness. If it's not as intensely boring as its sequel, "The Bells of St. Mary's," released a year later, that's only because this one came first and so at least has the advantage of being new. The acting is fine, such as it is. Bing Crosby was born to play roles like this one, so needless to say he does it well. Barry Fitzgerald is also effective as a curmudgeonly priest past his prime, and he and Crosby have some good scenes together. But they can't overcome the pure desultoriness of the whole affair.

No doubt this film was just what a war-weary country needed, which is clear from its box office success in 1944 and the heap of Academy Awards bestowed upon it. But in 2005 it seems hopelessly dated and just plain uninteresting.

Grade: C-

Going A Wonderful Way

[edwagreen · 9/10 · 8 January 2006]

Poignant and deeply moving best describe this Oscar winning film of 1944.

Progressive Priest, Father O'Malley, is sent to a run-down parish to improve things. There he meets the conservative priest, played in a memorable performance, by Barry Fitzgerald. The two will come into conflict.

O'Malley will deal with an abundance of church problems. He helps deprived children. His rendition of the songs Going My Way and Swinging on a Star is memorable. The latter won the best song of the year award.

As the loving fathers, both Crosby and Fitzgerald won Oscars in the best acting and supporting acting categories. Interestingly, Fitzgerald had been nominated for best actor as well.

The ending will not allow for a dry eye in the house. That is guaranteed.

There is poverty all around but love conquers that. O'Malley quietly leaving the parish for his next assignment is memorable as well.

It Sometimes Loses Its Focus, But Features Good Performances And A Very "Nice" Story

[sddavis63 · 6/10 · 25 February 2012]

First of all, to watch this movie and get anything out of it, one has to set aside the jadedness of 2012, and go back to the perhaps more innocent times of 1944. Yes, World War II was raging, but society was different, and this movie was a product of that society. It's a simple, rather hopeful movie, filled with basically decent characters who perhaps have to have their hearts and souls stirred to connect with that decency. It's up to Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) to find that innate decency in all of them and to bring it out.

Essentially the movie revolves around the sometimes tense relationship between O'Malley and Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald.) Fitzgibbon has been the parish priest of St. Dominic's for 45 years, and now things aren't going well. The church is in financial trouble and is in danger of defaulting on its mortgage. The bishop sends O'Malley in to take charge - but without upsetting Fitzgibbon by telling him that O'Malley is in charge - a rather delicate balancing act. Along the way, O'Malley deals with the church busybody, a gang of street boys, a wayward young woman and the holder of the mortgage, and he reconnects with some old friends along the way.

There was maybe a little bit too much going on. I realize that in all of these interactions the theme of O'Malley helping the various characters turn their lives around and develop heart and soul is present - perhaps, though, we didn't need so many story lines to keep hammering the theme away at us. Yes, I know I argued that we have to let go of jadedness, but this does seem somewhat unbelievable. For example, I doubt that - even in 1944 (except in Hollywood) - it would have been so easy to turn a boys' street gang into a church choir! Having said that, it's a nice movie to watch.

It's most famous I suppose for its 10 Oscar nominations (and 7 wins - including Best Picture.) I honestly don't see it as being that good. In fact, I enjoyed it less than its sort of sequel in 1947 - "The Bells of St. Mary's," in which Bing Crosby reprised the role of Father O'Malley. That movie, I thought, was more focused; this one seemed to wander a bit much. It's also noteworthy for 2 of its nominations in particular - Barry Fitzgerald was nominated for both Best Actor (which Crosby won) and Best Supporting Actor (which Fitzgerald took)! That had never happened before and it can never happen again, because the Academy changed the rules afterward to prevent an actor from being nominated for two awards for the same role, so it's a noteworthy bit of background to the movie.

I thought the movie was surprisingly (and I'm sure unintentionally) honest in having music producer Max Dolan (played by William Frawley) reject O'Malley's song "Going My Way." As the title song of the movie, I really didn't think it was that good either! The tug at your heartstrings moment at the very end of the movie (which I won't give away) worked surprisingly well. It was emotional - and I didn't see it coming. I like being taken by surprise, so a point for that! If I thought that the movie itself was a bit overrated, I thought that Crosby and Fitzgerald were both quite good in their respective roles. It's a little bit too long (probably because it does seem to lose its essential focus by trying to follow too many of O'Malley's relationships) but it's a pleasant, enjoyable film. (6/10)

Just So Dull and Saccharine...Any Excuse to Get Bing to Sing

[Hitchcoc · 5/10 · 19 July 2023]

I don't mean to be unkind but I thought this would never end. In what world does everyone end on their feet. There is really no conflict here and that's what kills it for me. I never had a moment where I thought, "How will they solve that." Or how will he get things to work out. As soon as there's trouble, money shows up. There's a choir of street boys. How is it there isn't a honker in the bunch? Of course, the main reason for this film is to give Bing Crosby a means of singing. Except for "Swinging on a Star" the music is pretty bad. There's a nice version of Ava Maria to make it a church movie. Ultimately, it's so white bread and so predictable it never worked for me. Barry Fitzgerald is good; I'll give him that. Bing just has the world by the butt the whole time.