Boys Town (1938)
Average Rating: 7.2/10
Reviews Counted: 19
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 2
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 1
liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 4,100
My Rating
Movie Info
Spencer Tracy won his second Oscar for his portrayal of Father Edward J. Flanagan--then promptly turned the statuette over to the real Father Flanagan out of gratitude. The priest's 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, Flanagan finds that his staunchest supporters are the workaday folks who have faith in him; none is stauncher than Jewish pawnbroker Henry
Sep 9, 1938 Wide
Nov 8, 2005
MGM Home Entertainment
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Cast
-
Spencer Tracy
Father Flanagan -
Mickey Rooney
Whitey Marsh -
Henry Hull
Dave Morris -
Leslie Fenton
Dan Farrow -
Addison Richards
The Judge -
Gene Reynolds
Tony Ponessa -
Edward Norris
Joe Marsh -
Bobs Watson
Pee Wee -
Minor Watson
The Bishop -
Jonathan Hale
John Hargraves -
Martin Spellman
Skinny -
Mickey Rentschler
Tommy Anderson -
Frankie Thomas
Freddie Fuller -
Jimmy Butler
Paul Ferguson -
Sidney Miller
Mo Kahn -
Robert Emmett Keane
Burton -
-
Barbara Bedford
Catholic Sister -
Wesley Giraud
Butch -
Donald Haines
Alabama -
John Hamilton
Warden -
Al Hill
Apples -
George Humbert
Calateri -
Gladden James
Doctor -
Victor Kilian
The Sheriff -
Jay Novello
Gangster -
Kane Richmond
Newspaper Reporter Jack... -
Phillip Terry
Newspaper Reporter -
William Worthington
Governor -
Tommy Noonan
Red -
Orville Caldwell
Warden -
Roger Converse
Newspaper Reporter Lane -
Walter Young
Judge -
Johnny Walsh
Charley Haines -
John Wray
Weasel
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Boys Town Trailer & Photos
All Critics (19) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (2) | DVD (2)
Tracy, showing necessary restraint, makes his portrayal of Flanagan sincere and human.
Top CriticMickey Rooney is a hard case, but eventually he cracks -- as will you, under the relentless, flat sentimentality of Norman Taurog's direction.
One of the more overrated films of its era.
There's only one Christmas scene, but the movie's sentimental mood makes for nice holiday viewing.
A dated but entertaining tale of friendship
a watershed film that discusses an important societal development
At the time, the real-life Flanagan complained that MGM made Boys Town look so neat, clean, and well managed that he had trouble raising money for the center
Shameless but effective weepie about wayward orphans
Tracy is always good -- was he ever bad in a film in his entire career?
Superior high-minded 'quality' movie, but in its heart it's a soap opera.
These days you might gag at some of the more saccharine aspects.
A classic with Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney squaring off magnificently.
Audience Reviews for Boys Town
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Father Flanagan: There is no bad boy.
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