Going My Way

"Bing's "little angels" - the roughest gang this side of reform school!"

- tagline

Bing Crosby won an Academy Award for playing Father Chuck O'Malley, a happy-go-lucky priest assigned to a rundown church heavily in debt, in 1944's Going My Way. Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald) is the cranky pastor who disapproves of the younger priest's breezy, modern style. Father O'Malley sets about to win the confidence of the local street toughs, organizing them into a church choir that will go out on a fundraising tour to forestall eviction from the church. He also busies himself playing matchmaker and mending family relationships.

Going My Way is heavy on sentiment, but director Leo McCarey wisely tempers the sugary emotion with comedy and musical interludes. In addition to Crosby, Oscars went to Barry Fitzgerald, Leo McCarey, screenwriters Frank Butler and Frank Cavett, and Burke and Van Heusen's song hit "Swingin' On a Star." Bing Crosby repeated his role in McCarey's 1945 sequel The Bells of St. Mary's.

Going My Way was added to the National Film Registry in 2004.

"Father O'Malley: Here, take this. [Gives a spoonful of medicine to Father Fitzgibbon] That'll keep the pilot light burning. Father Fitzgibbons: Yes, it ought to. Tastes like it has kerosene in it."
 * If It Tastes Bad, It Must Be Good for You: