Boys Town

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Boys Town

1938,

1h 36m,

Drama

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Watchlist

90%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

The devout but iron-willed Father Flanagan (Spencer Tracy) leads a community called Boys Town, a different sort of juvenile detention facility where, instead of being treated as underage criminals, the boys are shepherded into making themselves better people. But hard-nosed petty thief and pool shark Whitey Marsh (Mickey Rooney), the impulsive and violent younger brother of an imprisoned murderer, might be too much for the good father's tough-love system.

Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

May 8, 2024

For all [Spencer Tracy's] homely face and lack of surface charm, he is about the finest figure of a man you’ll meet, and I’m happy that he has finally got a part here to show it off.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

Tracy, showing necessary restraint, makes his portrayal of Flanagan sincere and human.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Jan 1, 2000

Mickey Rooney is a hard case, but eventually he cracks -- as will you, under the relentless, flat sentimentality of Norman Taurog's direction.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 8, 2024

4/10

Flanagan’s character is admirable (based on a real man with real accomplishments), though Tracy imparts a rather standard performance.

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Jul 23, 2019

It's a genuine human story, dramatically handled and finely acted.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Dec 25, 2009

3/4

There's only one Christmas scene, but the movie's sentimental mood makes for nice holiday viewing.

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Hermione G

Feb 20, 2019

What can you say about this one? No attempt is made to hide the fact they are in California -- mountains in the background, palm trees noticeable and western shrubbery you wouldn't find in flat Nebraska. But 1938 audiences weren't sophisticated enough to notice these things, and they didn't notice the soap opera script that was being performed for them. Tracy was Tracy: no acting involved. As always, he played himself. Mickey Rooney was just plain bad. His attempt at playing a hoodlum missed the mark by a mile. Some of the boys were exceptionally good. The script was regrettable, given what might have been done with this project. The intention behind it was good, but the ways in which they tried to accomplish their goals fell flat artistically. Not done well and it doesn't age well either. Someone else could have made this a classic. Instead, we have a tired, old, dated film that is not worth watching.

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Poe G

Feb 19, 2019

This film focuses on Father Edward J. Flanagan, whose philosophy that no boy will grow up bad if given a chance in life culminates in his formation of Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska. Unable to raise funds through "proper" channels, Flannagan finds that his staunchest supporters are the workaday folks. A classic with Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney squaring off magnificently. Spencer Tracy won his second back to back best actor oscar award .

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Sep 1, 2018

One of my classic faveorites...

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Norman Taurog

Director

Spencer Tracy

Father Edward J. Flanagan

Mickey Rooney

Whitey Marsh

Henry Hull

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Synopsis

The devout but iron-willed Father Flanagan (Spencer Tracy) leads a community called Boys Town, a different sort of juvenile detention facility where, instead of being treated as underage criminals, the boys are shepherded into making themselves better people. But hard-nosed petty thief and pool shark Whitey Marsh (Mickey Rooney), the impulsive and violent younger brother of an imprisoned murderer, might be too much for the good father's tough-love system.

Director: Norman Taurog
Producer: John W. Considine Jr.
Screenwriter: Eleanore Griffin, John Meehan, Dore Schary
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 8, 1938, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 36m

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