Bridgewater State College

Irish-American Film Series

Fall 2003

 

 

Going My Way

 

(1944; dir. Leo Carey)

 

Original Movie Poster from

The Greatest Films

 

 

Father Chuck O'Malley (Bing Crosby) is sent in to St. DominicÕs to straighten out "the mess," primarily financial, that Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald) has found himself in after 45 years in charge of the parish. Issues of cultural assimilation loom large in this film, which appeared during the Second World War: in the clash between the progressive, street-smart, song-singing young Irish-American priest and the elderly Irish cleric, we can detect the urban parish's transition from ethnic enclave to training ground for citizens of mainstream America.  The film practically swept the Oscars in 1945, winning awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing (both original story and screenplay), Best Song ("Swinging on a Star"), Best Actor (Crosby) and Best Supporting Actor (Fitzgerald). 

 

- Kathleen Vejvoda

 

 

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