Bing Crosby Double Feature:Going My Way / Holiday Inn

LOVED IT!!!! There is a reason despite all the big screen competition in its day this won the Oscar for Best Picture (Going My Way). It is a truly poignant, life changing story which harkens back to a more innocent era (or was it?) when goodness mattered above all. The music and Title Song will stay with you long after watching and the surprise ending will bring tears of joy just to think about. It is a remarkable tale of one courageous Priest's positive faith and unfailing, loving charm in a challenging world. Will blow you away! Holiday Inn is a great bonus, also uplifting film at Christmas with two iconic actors and stellar cast. .... and yes, the happy ending we all need right now.

If you're looking for a nostalgic movie of a bygone American era to watch with your family, "Going My Way" is one of those great classics to see. While some viewers may identify with the Irish-American ethnicity and culture of the Catholic Church in this film, the movie is actually quite universal in theme. It deals more with how we should respect the aged and the young; and how we can lend a helping hand to them in a non-intrusive and innovative way.The teacher? Enter Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby), the good Samaritan sent by the Bishop to help the aged Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald). His mission is to rid St. Dominic of its debts and at the same time provide pastoral care to the inner-city youth and their families. Through his wit, musical talent and baseball gab, he is successful in turning it all around. Okay, so it sounds a bit too simplistic to believe by today's standards. Nevertheless, it's still a valuable moral lesson that's well worth emulating.On the comedic side, look for the scenes involving Crosby and Fitzgerald. The chemistry between these two is undeniably magical. Among the scenes to watch are the ones involving the hot turkey, hedgerow, rain-drenched Fr. Fitzgibbon and golf game. Particularly touching is Fr. O'Malley arranging to have Fr. Fitzgibbon's 90 year old mother brought from Ireland to visit her son. Again, some might find this sort of thing a tad schmaltzy, but that's what makes this such a wonderful film.I suppose this is why it won seven academy awards, including Best Actor (Bing Crosby), Best Supporting Actor (Barry Fitzgerald) and Best Song ("Singing On A Star").Bundled on this DVD is another classic, "Holiday Inn", starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Virgina Dale and Majorie Reynolds. It's one of those old-time Hollywood song-and-dance films with the legendary crooner and hoofer. And sing and dance they do while winning over the girls at a bed-and-breakfast type inn called the Holiday Inn. No, this isn't the renowned hotel chain, Holiday Inn. But the movie title was the inspiration for this establishment.In this movie, Fred Astaire's former partner Bing Crosby retires to the country life on a farm, but soon learns he's not cut out to be a farmer. So he decides to supplement his income by staging shows only and during the holidays in his country estate, hence the name Holiday Inn. Fred Astaire choreographs some rather ingenious scenes while feigning inebriation on New Year's Eve and tapping to the rhythm of firecrackers on Independence Day. While Bing sings 15 Irving Berlin songs, including his hit "White Christmas". It's a clever premise and a delightful result at that!For an evening of nostalgia to gladden the heart, these two Crosby films will do nicely. Best of all, you will get two truly enjoyable movies for the price of one.

On the surface you would not think these two films would complement one another. On the contrary, they do contain a unifying theme: They are heartwarmers, just the anecdote the country needed during the strife that was the World War II."Going My Way": A tuneful film that just tugs at your heartstrings. The role of Father O'Malley, the progressive priest that is sent to straighten out the troubled New York parish, fits the easy-going Bing Crosby like a fine suit. Barry Fitzgerald as the curmudgeonly Father Fitzgibbon is not only one of the most indelible characters in film history but also one of the most lovable. This film just floats on good vibes. Five stars."Holiday Inn": Thoroughly engaging musical about a jilted singer (Crosby) who opens an inn that only caters to the holiday crowd. Good comic rivalry between Crosby and his former partner(Fred Astaire). Astaire's dance routines are poetry in motion and it doesn't even look like he's trying. I'd like to re-iterate what a previous reviewer said about Marjorie Reynolds being effervescent here as the girl that the boys battle over. I've never seen Reynolds in anything else that I can recall and I'd like to know why. Needless to say, classic score by Irving Berlin. One thing that would give pause to a modern audience is a production number commemmorating Lincoln's birthday done in blackface. Five Stars.

So, we reluctantly bought this one after wavering for several months. Why or why did we wait?! I knew it would be good -- it's just that we have become spoilt by color movies and I was not too keen on a B&W one. We should never have waited.First, Holiday Inn... It's been decades since I saw it, so my memory was very foggy. The Kidlet had never seen the movie at all and was a bit, um, well, surprised to see Fred Astaire in that sort of role -- we're used to seeing him as the hero. Royal Wedding comes to mind as a show were he's just a genuine good-guy. In Holiday Inn he's giving Bing a horrible time what with a pretty girl, and trying to steal her away. The car scene is a classic -- you'll enjoy it. All in all, the movie is a nice one, a good story, with WONDERFUL songs. We enjoyed it.Going My Way was the one that caused me concern. Other reviewers had mentioned tears, and, well, I just wasn't in the mood for a tear-jerker movie. WOW, was I ever wrong. It's the most heart-warming, wonderful, nice and terrific show I've seen in practically forever. I'm so glad I got to see it.So, break out a bowl of peanuts, and snuggle up while watching these two classics. You'll be glad you did.

Had This DVD and it was lost in a move so ordered this one to replace it. This particular on is very high quality. If you like old black and white movies and are fans of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire you'll love it.

Going My Way was one of my favorite Bing Crosby movies. It’s in black n white. One of few drama movies I’ll sit down and watch for this 50’s movie. I bought it to rewatch it again from time to time.

I had this DVD and lost it, so it was time to replace. The quality of the movies is great. No problems playing it in my DVD player. And the movies are enjoyable every year!

Watch this two nights ago. Great condition great service enjoyed it thoroughly all over again

This DVD is faulty and will not play. I have just sent my views on another page and have asked for a replacement. Could tis please be arranged My email address is [email protected]

GOING MY WAY was BING's best movie of the forties.No special effects,this is a wonderful story expertly done.At the time it was made,it was a risk for BING CROSBY to play a priest when people were used seeing him play lighter characters like THE ROAD films with BOB HOPE.As it's often the case,THE BELLS OF ST-MARYS the sequel made a year later wasn't as good while still interesting.HOLIDAY INN if you remove the songs would have been a dud because the plot is not beleivable.

Classic movies - love to hear Bing sing - especially love Holiday Inn that I watch annually.

was a gift and the recipient was excited to recieve it.