Classic Film : Going My Way or The Bells of St.Mary's?

Two uplifting and delightful films. Bing Crosby's loveable, and decent Father O'Malley is the character he will be forever remembered as; his Priest isn't stuffy or strict, and is easy to get along with, whilst being true to his beliefs and his required duties.

Which of the two films do you love the most?

I enjoy both very much, but my favourite is The Bells of St. Mary's.

I love the growing bond between O'Malley and Sister Mary (Ingrid Bergman)starting off with deeply opposing views, they grow to respect and like one another as the film goes along. The film also features two adorable, and scene stealing animals. There's the cute kitten who climbs inside O'Malley's hat, much to the delight/amusement of the nuns he is addressing at that moment; the other is the sad looking stray dog, who sits making the funniest noises in the church, he is adopted by the lonely character played by Henry Travers.

The final scene always gets me, no matter how many times I watch it.

Great performances to be found in both films, and many terrific songs too. A friend and I always get the giggles during the equally moving finale of Going My Way, because the ancient mother looks like she is gliding across that floor on wheels!



Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

I'll have to go with Going My Way, simply because it has been too long since I last saw Bells I would like to see both again though.I have GMW on a Bing box set, and have been meaning to watch one of his films for a while, so thanks for the prompt.

"Barney SloaneThat's my new nameMy old one's a little more Italian."

Definitely GOING MY WAY.
I love Barry Fitzgerald in his role of the aged priest.

Agreed that Fitzgerald is terrific, he really makes you sympathise with his characters situation.


Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

What are your thoughts on that other Crosby/Firzgerald pairing Welcome Stranger?

"Barney SloaneThat's my new nameMy old one's a little more Italian."

Never seen it. Many thanks for making me aware of it, will take a look.



Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

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that other Crosby/Firzgerald pairing Welcome Stranger

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also TOP 'O THE MORNING their final pairing

Take 'em to Missouri

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they grow to respect and like one another as the film goes along

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Great story about Bing and Ingrid. The technical director was a priest who made the making of the film such a chore correcting many scenes about religious authenticity. So the two of them got even. At their parting scene at the end, they suddenly embraced passionately. The poor cleric nearly had a heart attack!

Take 'em to Missouri

You made me laugh, matt!! I've been feeling so gloomy lately that's a really good feeling right now. THANKS!

The time of the singing of the birds has come.

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You made me laugh, matt!!

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Such is my mission in life, Spider.

Take 'em to Missouri

I haven't seen either of them, Maddy. Isn't that rather inexplicable! Have them both on DVD too which makes it even more of an oversight. Been staring down at me from my bookshelf near my bed for the last four or five years. LOL, and I like Bing immensely!

That's all, folks!

I've been a Going My Way gal since childhood, but in the last few years the charms of The Bell's of St. Mary's have started to win me over.





"What seems to be trouble, Captain?"

The Bells of St. Mary's is in my Top 20 films of all time. I've seen it dozens of times. (I think Bergman's character is Sister Benedict not Sister Mary.)
I've only seen Going My Way once and found it enjoyable.

"Bells", Maddy, though "Going My Way" has better songs.

I've always found the implied sexuality in "Going My Way" somewhat creepy:Rise Stevens has the hots for Father O'Malley, and is dying to resume their prior relationship. Are we supposed to assume they had consummated their love?

The young runaway is, of course, "No better than she should be", and the business of his father (Gene Lockhart) not knowing that she and his cohabitating son are married is a typical Leo McCarey plot twist, but the son's going off to war telling his father, "Take care of her, Dad, she'll grow on you" always brings a lump to my throat.



"Nihil sanctum estne?"

Going My Way - because of the songs and Barry Fitzgerald.

Neither!!

But if Father O'Malley forced me to choose at gunpoint I'd pick Going My Way.

It's a close call, because I love both, but I think I'd have to choose Going My Way. Not even sure why.

OT from your post, but what the heck. Have you ever seen Come to the Stable (1949)? If not, I highly recommend it. Very enjoyable film.

The time of the singing of the birds has come.

I'd like to second spider's recommendation of Come to the Stable. A funny and touching film, good cast and script, very nicely done.

I haven't seen that. Many thanks for the recommendation. Yet another to add that the ever increasing to watch list.

Thanks so much.



Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .