Ben,
Please, don't mistake some of us saying "The Greatest Show on Earth" not deserving of the BP Oscar as not liking the film a lot. I for one, love "The Greatest Show on Earth". One of the funniest movie cameos ever filmed was in that movie. It cracks me up every time I see it. With that...
Yeah, looking back at the 1944 films I can easily name off 10 films that were better than "Going My Way" in my opinion. Perhaps, the nation and film industry engulfed in war were in need of sentimentality.
Double Indemnity
Murder My Sweet
Meet Me in St. Louis
Laura
Phantom Lady
Henry V
Mr...
Personally, I would have given it to "The King and I" or "Giant". We all know that "The Searchers"' got robbed that year as it was the best movie released in 1956, yet wasn't even nominated for any major awards