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1944 Going My Way
Going My Way is a delightful confection. Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) is the new priest at St Dominic's located in a working class New York neighborhood. Crosby plays such a great guy that he would be an impossible character for a role in today's films. For audiences could not imagine those qualities in a film persona and he sings. Many songs are joyfully sung, including Swinging On A Star, which won an Oscar for Best Song and the pious Ave Marie. The on-screen rapport between Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald (who won Best Supporting Actor) between establishment against a modern viewpoint are a joy to behold. Bing Crosby won Best Actor for Going My Way who portrayed Father O'Malley with charm and understanding while solving a series of episodes revolving around St Dominic's parish. Ingrid Bergman was named Best Actress in Gaslight a psychological melodrama of a man trying to drive his wife insane. Bergman was brilliant in her portray of the wife, slipping under the spell of her diabolical spouse, played incisively by Charles Boyer. The opposition in this category was formidable with Barbara Stanwyck for Double Indemnity, Greer Garson for Mrs. Parkington, Bette Davis in Mr. Skeffington and Claudette Colbert in Since You Went Away. 1945 The Lost Weekend By now Hollywood was asking itself should films be pure entertainment or should they make serious comments on social issues of the day? The answer was The Lost Weekend and Mildred Pierce. Ray Milland is an alcoholic who has been off-the-wagon for a while but nevertheless still hears the sirens of booze calling him. When left on his own devices for a weekend Don goes on a bender. Director Billy Wilder leaves no stone unturned when revealing the horrors and anguish as Milland he spirals deeper and deeper into an alcoholic stupor and finally the DT's. Milland has draws a torturous image on screen with a powerful performance as pathetic alcoholic. Like Jane Wyman who plays Milland's girlfriend we are offered no reassurances of a happy ending. Wilder turn this film into a nightmare that won't let up till the end credits. Ray Milland won Best Actor in The Lost Weekend for his portrayal of an alcoholic and the torment of his desperate need for liquor. Milland as Birman brought to the screen a fine performance of deep conviction and insight. Joan Crawford was selected as Best Actress in Mildred Pierce for her performance as the all-sacrificing mother. The film had a little bit of everything in it; murder, larceny and blackmail, a dab of adultery, a short course in restaurant management and some helpful hints on what not to do to raise a daughter.
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The copyright of the article Best Pictures: 1944 Going My Way & 1945 The Lost Weekend in Reviews of Classic Films is owned by Lea Frydman. Permission to republish Best Pictures: 1944 Going My Way & 1945 The Lost Weekend in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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