Youthful Father Chuck O& Malley (Bing Crosby) led a colourful life of sports song & romance before joining the Roman Catholic clergy but his level gaze & twinkling eyes make it clear that he knows he made the right choice After joining a parish O& Malley&s worldly knowledge helps him connect with a gang of kids looking for direction & handle the business details of the church-building fund winning over his ageing conventional superior (Barry Fitzgerald) Songs such as Swinging on a Star sparkle & both Crosby & Fitzgerald do a fine job tugging at the heartstrings in a gentle irresistible way that will make viewers return to this lovely film again & again The overwhelming popularity of this film upon its release was only heightened by the many Academy Awards it won & its sequel THE BELLS OF SAINT MARY&S starring Crosby & Ingrid Bergman was released in theatres the next year to eager fans & more awards