Boys Town Reviews

One of the more overrated films of its era.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

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.

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A dated but entertaining tale of friendship

| Original Score: 3/5

a watershed film that discusses an important societal development

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5

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

Shameless but effective weepie about wayward orphans

| Original Score: 4/5

| Original Score: 3/5

Tracy is always good -- was he ever bad in a film in his entire career?

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

| Original Score: 3/5

| Original Score: 4/5

Superior high-minded 'quality' movie, but in its heart it's a soap opera.

| Original Score: 4/5

| Original Score: 3/5

| Original Score: 4/5

A classic with Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney squaring off magnificently.

| Original Score: 5/5

| Original Score: 4/5

| Original Score: 3/5

These days you might gag at some of the more saccharine aspects.

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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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