 The film was actually written after its "sequel"  _Bells of St. Marys, The (1945)_ (qv); in order to borrow  Bing Crosby (qv) from Paramount for that film, RKO had to allow  Leo McCarey (qv) to write and direct "Going My Way", based on the  same character. Oddly, however, "Going My Way" was released first.