Going My Way ~ with Bing Crosby

Get out the popcorn, turn down the lights and curl up in your favorite easy chair as you watch one of the best movies Bing Crosby ever made. Well, it may be my opinion, but after reading this classic movie review I hope it's yours as well.

Going My Way was first released on May 3rd, 1944 and quickly made its way into the hearts of millions of people.

Stay tuned for a glimpse of this award winning film staring Bing Crosby as Father Chuck O'Malley, the young fiesty, modern day priest who is sent to take over a parish that is in finiancial crisis. Going My Way is sure to become a favorite of a whole new generation.

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Going My Way written by Frank Butler and Frank Cavett runs about 2hrs and ten minutes. Leo McCarey produced and directed the film. Other cast includes Barry Fitzgerald (Father Fitzgibbon), Frank McHugh (Father Timothy O'Dowd), James Brown (Ted Haines Jr.).

Going My Way

Maybe you've seen Holiday Inn or White Christmas, but have you seen Going My Way?

• 54% Yes
• 38% No
• 8% May have but didn't know that's what it was called.

13 people have voted in this poll in the past.

TransplantedSoul 5 years ago wrote: a better singer. And it also soundes lie he was a better singer/actor then "nice person".

anonymous 5 years ago wrote: I grew up loving Bing Crosby and his always niceness in movies as a family but I'd have to say the singing was his greater gifting.

julieannbrady 5 years ago wrote: This is surely a tough debate! He did both well, I think. But, now that I've gotten older, I'd say singer. He was one of the true crooners.

One of my favortie scenes in the film is when Bing Crosby sings "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra" to Barry Fitzgerald (Father Fitzgibbon). Even though I'm not Irish, when he sings this song it makes takes me back to my childhood and times spent with family.

This scene is a perfect seed for the ending of the story; I'd tell you but don't want to ruin it for you. I can share this however, it makes me cry every time!

Clip From the 1944 Oscar-winning film "Going My Way".

Is this multiple Oscar winning film a must see?

Father Chuck O'Malley (played by Bing Crosby), has just been assigned to take over at St. Dominic's Parish. The “old-school” Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald) has been in charge at St. Dominic's for the past forty-five years, and O'Malley does not want to hurt the old man's pride or feelings by taking that away from him.

O'Malley finds ways to help the struggling church by working on their financial shortcomings and reforming a rag-tag gang of boys into a choir. It becomes a constructive experience for the boys who were well known for general mischief and even stealing turkeys.

Meanwhile, Father Fitzgibbon still thinks that he is head of the church.  However, when he finds out that the Bishop has sent O'Malley to replace him, the news breaks his heart and he decides to run away.  After a friendly policeman brings the elderly priest home in the middle of a rain storm, Father O'Malley is able to persuade him that he is still vital to the Parish and they team up to turn things around.

Going My Way has a heart warming ending that will cause audiences to laugh and cry.  A must see film.  

Photo credit by Amazon

In this video clip Bing sings the Oscar Winning song titled the same as the film, "Going My Way."

A few more tidbits to note, Leo McMcCare directed this classic movie and the title track was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke.

Father Chuck O'Malley (played by Bing Crosby) and Father Fitzgibbon
(Barry Fitzgerald) at the bird bath fountain outside St. Dominic's Parish.

For those who are fans, you can own a part of award winning history with this Going My Way 27x40 poster starring Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald, and Rise Stevens.

It is also a great gift for any movie buff.

The great classic "Swinging on a Star" (written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke) as sung by Bing Crosby and the boy's chorus of the movie "Going My Way."

Going My Way was turned into a radio play on the January 8, 1945, broadcast of The Screen Guild Theater starring Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald and Paul Lukas. It was also adapted on the May 3, 1954, broadcast of Lux Radio Theater with Barry Fitzgerald.

In 2004, Going My Way was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Photo credit by Wikipedia

Father Chuck O'Malley (played by Bing Crosby), Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald) and Rise Stevens (as Genevieve Linden) pose for a Going My Way snapshot.

Photo credit by Wikipedia

Bing Crosby as Father Chuck O'Malley

Barry Fitzgerald as Father Fitzgibbon

Frank McHugh as Father Timothy O'Dowd

James Brown as Ted Haines, Jr.

Gene Lockhart as Ted Haines, Sr.

Risë Stevens as Genevieve Linden

Jean Heather as Carol James

Porter Hall as Mr. Belknap

Fortunio Bonanova as Tomaso Bozanni

Eily Malyon as Mrs. Carmody

Stanley Clements as Tony Scaponi

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as Herman Langer

Photo credit by Amazon

Oscar history was made in this film when Barry Fitzgerald was nominated in both the leading and supporting actor categories for the same role, that of Father Fitzgibbon.

This was the first and only time that this has ever been achieved by an actor. (The Academy’s rules have since changed, preventing actors from being nominated in different categories for the same role.) Bing Crosby won in the lead actor category and Fitzgerald won for supporting actor.

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Finding sheet music can be difficult, especially from old films. I was able to find a few pieces that you might enjoy playing or may want to add to a favorite collection of vintage songs.

If you are looking for a few rare photos, take a look at these.

Photo credit by favored1/aka favored. unless otherwise noted. This artwork is licensed under the Wikipedia & Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

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