Best Picture: Going My Way
Going My Way also won Academy Awards for Best Actor (Bing Crosby), Best Supporting Actor (Barry Fitzgerald), Directing (Leo McCarey), Music – Song (Swinging on a Star, music by James Van Heusen, lyrics by Johnny Burke), Writing – Original Story (Leo McCarey), and Writing – Screenplay (Frank Butler and Frank Cavett).
Bob Hope and director John Cromwell were the masters of ceremonies.
On June 6, 1944, the Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy in France (D-Day).
In July 1944, one of the worst fire disasters in U.S. history occurred in Hartford, Connecticut, during a performance of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
In August 1944, Anne Frank and her family were discovered by the Gestapo.
In October 1944, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet radio show debuted in the U.S.
On November 7, 1944, President Roosevelt defeated challenger Thomas E. Dewey in the U.S. presidential election, becoming the only U.S. president elected to a fourth term.
On December 14, 1944, the movie National Velvet premiered in New York City and brought Elizabeth Taylor to stardom. In 1945, following its national release, the movie was nominated for five Academy Awards and won for Best Supporting Actress and Film Editing.
Special Award
To Margaret O'Brien, outstanding child actress of 1944.
Special Award
To Bob Hope for his many services to the Academy.
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award
To Darryl F. Zanuck