GOING MY WAY
US, 1944, 126 minutes, Black and white.
Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald, Rise Stevens, Frank Mc Hugh, Gene Lockhart, Jean Heather, Porter Hall.
Directed by Leo Mc Carey.
Going My Way won the Oscar for the Best Film of 1944. It also won Oscars for the performances of Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald, for the director and writer Leo Mc Carey and for the song 'Swinging on a Star'. It presents a picture of the Catholic Church that was relevant in its time, but, of course, has been superseded since the '60s and the second Vatican Council. In fact, the picture of the Church looks somewhat antiquarian. However, the blend of American sentiment and humour had appeal in its day, especially during the war, and still has a delightfully sentimental appeal.
Bing Crosby is perfectly at ease as Father O' Malley (and was to reprise his role with 1944 Oscar-winning Best Actress for Gaslight, Ingrid Bergman) in The Bells of St. Mary’s. Barry Fitzgerald turns on all his cranky charm as the elderly Father Fitzgibbon. There are many of Mc Carey's regular actors like Frank McHugh? as the assistant priest. Opera star Rise Stevens, makes a guest appearance and does some operatic and religious singing.
Mc Carey was noted for his comedies and romantic dramas in the '308 including Duck Soup, Love Story, The Awful Truth. His films of the '40s and '50s tended to become longer and, sometimes, more solemn including the rather stridently, anti-communist My Son John and the romantic first film with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward together, Rally Round the Flag, Boys. His last film was in this vein, the anti-communist Satan never Sleeps.
Going My Way has remained perennially popular and was a television series in the '60s with Gene Kelly.
1. The continued appeal of the film? Its appeal in 1944? Oscar wins and acclaim?
2. The work of Leo Mc Carey, his vision of the United States and the American people? Comedy and sentiment? A Paramount production, black and white photography, musical score?
3. The atmosphere of World War Two, the film cheering people? A piece of Americana, the touch of propaganda? Religion? Images of a past era?
4. The score, the use of 'Ave Maria' and religious motifs? The popular songs, 'The Day After Forever' with the various versions including Bing Crosby's crooning, the ballad `Going My Way', the Oscar-winning comic song, 'Swinging on a Star'?
5. The role of the Catholic Church in the United States in the early 20th century, establishment, strong parishes, Irish background, parishioners, relationships with priests, the parish priest and his domination, the assistant priests, the role of the Bishop and his interventions? The church, the school, fundraising? The apostolate of visiting and communicating with people?
6. The focus on Father Fitzgibbon: Barry Fitzgerald's Oscar performance, old and cranky, tight and humorous, his being in the parish too long, relationship with people, money? Suspicious of Father O' Malley, the detail of their clashes, Father Fitzgibbon's strict interpretations? His running away? Bing Crosby singing 'Toora Loora'? His changing attitudes, friendliness, the interventions of the Bishop? The yearning to see his mother? The plan for the record, his playing golf and the priests helping him along - the fire and the burning of the church?
7. Father O' Malley moving in, the new curate? The farewell, his having learnt his lesson, appreciation of Father O' Malley, his mother coming in - to 'Toora Loora Loora'? A portrait of an Irish- American parish priest?
8. Bing Crosby as Father O' Malley, Oscar-winning performance? His easygoing smooth presence? The Mote modern priest, sent by the Bishop, his relationship with people, dress, the touch of the unconventional? The suspicions of Father O' Malley and his trying to get the parish in order? His devices to relate well to Father O' Malley? Connections with business? Clash with the kids, friendliness, sport, choir? The young couple and their advice, his singing 'Going My Way'? Changing the girl's singing style? The clashes with their father and his business interests? Father Fitzgibbon, cantankerous, running away? His meeting the opera singer, her not knowing he was a priest? The warmth of their friendship? His friendship with Frank, the liaison with the Bishop? The plan for the audition, the record? The choir, 'Ave Maria', 'Going My Way'? The relaxation with 'Swinging on a Star' and the success? The fire in the church? Playing golf with Father Fitzgibbon? Father Fitzgibbon acknowledging his job? Arranging for Mrs Fitzgibbon to come?
8. Frank, his friendship with Father O' Malley, contact with the Bishop, talking over problems, the plan for the record, contacts with businessmen? The new curate?
9. The opera star, her success, friendship with Father O' Malley, help, the conductor, the audition, the hope for the record? The Mass and Father Fitzgibbon's preaching - and the big collection?
10. The kids and the tough street manner, won over by Father O' Malley, sport, choir, the young man taking over the choir - with a touch of the clenched fist?
11. The young couple, in love, their problems, the father, the advice of Father O' Malley, getting married, the young man joining up, his father being won over?
12. A world of good sense, good order, tradition, traditional values, religion, humour and sentiment?
