Going My Way is a 1944 American musical comedy-drama film directed by Leo McCarey, starring Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald.
The film is about a new young priest taking over a parish from an established old veteran. Crosby sings five songs, with other performed onscreen by Metropolitan Opera's star mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens and the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir.
The movie was the highest-grossing picture of 1944 and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It was followed by a sequel, "The Bells of St. Mary's," the next year. The film's plot revolves around a young priest revitalizing a failing parish and bringing new life to the elder priest.
Plot
The plot of Going My Way revolves around Father O'Malley, who is sent to a struggling parish headed by an older, traditional priest, Father Fitzgibbon. Father O'Malley's modern methods clash with the established ways of the parish, but he gradually wins over the choirboys and the elderly pastor.
Through his unconventional approach, he revitalizes the parish and brings new life to the elder priest. The film portrays themes of faith, friendship, and the power of music, and it culminates in a heartwarming and uplifting story of redemption and community.
Bing Crosby sang the theme song, "Going My Way".
Trailer
Cast
- Bing Crosby as Father Chuck O'Malley
- Barry Fitzgerald as Father Fitzgibbon
- Rise Stevens as Genevieve Linden
- Gene Lockhart as Ted Haines Sr.
- Frank McHugh as Father Timothy O'Dowd
- James Brown as Ted Haines Jr.
- Jean Heather as Carol James
- Porter Hall as Mr. Belknap
- Fortunio Bonanova as Tomaso Bozanni
- Eily Malyon as Mrs. Carmody
The film also features the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir and Metropolitan Opera's star mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens
Director: Leo McCarey
Writer: Leo McCarey, Frank Butler, Frank Cavett
Box Office Gross: $2,221
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Musical
Release Date (Theaters): May 3, 1944
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Themes & Reception
The theme of Going My Way revolves around faith, friendship, and the power of music. The movie is known for its warmth and benevolence, making it suitable for family viewing, especially around Christmas time.
The film received critical acclaim and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Bing Crosby, and Best Supporting Actor for Barry Fitzgerald. It was described as a must-see classic with lots of spirit and warmth.
Despite its sentimental appeal, some critics have noted that the film suffers from a surplus of sweetness and is too maudlin and long. Overall, Going My Way is considered one of the all-time greatest movies, with Bing Crosby's warm and benevolent performance contributing to its enduring appeal.
Challenges Faced
The production of Going My Way faced several challenges, including the wartime constraints of 1940s Hollywood. The film's director, Leo McCarey, had to navigate these challenges while creating a heartwarming and uplifting story.
Additionally, the casting of the film presented a unique challenge, as the role of Father Fitzgibbon was originally intended for another actor, William Gargan, who had to drop out due to illness. This led to Barry Fitzgerald being cast in the role, and he went on to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.
Furthermore, the production had to balance the integration of music into the storyline, including performances by Bing Crosby and the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir, with the overall narrative.
Despite these challenges, the film successfully overcame these obstacles and went on to become the highest-grossing picture of 1944 and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Visual Styles & Techniques
Going My Way was directed by Leo McCarey, known for his unique visual style and techniques. Some of the key visual styles and techniques used in the film include:
Cycling through comedy progression: McCarey's visual style in Going My Way and its sequel, The Bells of St. Mary's, involves cycling through different comedy styles and techniques, creating a dynamic and engaging viewing experience.
Performance-driven approach: The film relies on the actors' performances to drive the story, with Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald delivering memorable portrayals of their characters. This approach to acting, where actors compel the audience to figure out their characters' emotions and intentions, is a technique that McCarey often employed.
Use of music: The integration of music into the storyline is a crucial aspect of "Going My Way," with the film featuring performances by Bing Crosby and the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir. The use of music serves to enhance the emotional impact of the film and create a unique visual style.
Lack of cumulative experience: McCarey's visual style in Going My Way is characterized by a lack of cumulative experience, meaning that each scene is treated as a separate entity rather than building upon previous scenes. This approach contributes to the film's engaging and fresh visual style.
Setting
The setting of "Going My Way" is primarily in a parish in a working-class neighborhood in New York City. The film depicts the daily life of the parish, including the church, the rectory, and the surrounding community.
Trivia
• The film was banned in several Latin American countries because Bing Crosby wore a white shirt.
• The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and was the highest-grossing picture of 1944.
• The role of Father Fitzgibbon was initially intended for William Gargan, who had to drop out due to illness, leading to Barry Fitzgerald being cast in the role and winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
• The film's director, Leo McCarey, was known for his unique visual style and techniques, which contributed to the film's enduring appeal.
• The film's plot revolves around themes of faith, friendship, and the power of music, making it a heartwarming and uplifting story.