Boys Town Reviews
TV Guide's Movie Guide
One of the more overrated films of its era.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
Combustible Celluloid
There's only one Christmas scene, but the movie's sentimental mood makes for nice holiday viewing.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
Tracy, showing necessary restraint, makes his portrayal of Flanagan sincere and human.
Film Threat
A dated but entertaining tale of friendship
| Original Score: 3/5
Filmcritic.com
a watershed film that discusses an important societal development
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/5
EmanuelLevy.Com
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
Full Review
| Original Score: B
Film Journal International
Shameless but effective weepie about wayward orphans
| Original Score: 4/5
Goatdog's Movies
Tracy is always good -- was he ever bad in a film in his entire career?
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Superior high-minded 'quality' movie, but in its heart it's a soap opera.
| Original Score: 4/5
KPBS.org
A classic with Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney squaring off magnificently.
| Original Score: 5/5
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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