Boys Town

( 4 )

Overview

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 Hull, who digs deep ...
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Overview

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 Hull, who digs deep into his pockets to help Flanagan realize his dream. The story of the struggle to get Boys Town on its feet paralleled with the regeneration of punkish Mickey Rooney, the younger brother of criminal Edward Norris. At first a wise-guy rebel, Rooney rises to a position of authority, responsibility and respect in Boys Town's self-maintained government. Boys Town, by the way, is the source of the classic line "He ain't heavy--he's my brother."
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Richard Gilliam
Boys Town features a sympathetic fact-based story and sincere performances from stars Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, who keep the film's tone just this side of maudlin. Veteran child-star director Norman Taurog ably handles his teenage charges, knowing precisely when to call for a close-up. Boys Town isn't without its moments of tear-jerking sentimentality, but Taurog keeps them at bay so that the story's pace won't falter. Tracy was supposedly so moved on winning his second Best Actor Oscar for the role that he gave the award to the real-life Father Flanagan; in actuality, an MGM publicist orchestrated the gesture. Ironically, the real Father Flanagan had been critical of the film, arguing that it made Boys Town look so prosperous that people would forget that it depended on charitable donations.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 3/7/2000
  • UPC: 012569500730
  • Original Release: 1938

    • Rating:

  • Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Spencer Tracy Father Flanagan
Mickey Rooney Whitey Marsh
Henry Hull Dave Morris
Leslie Fenton Dan Farrow
Gene Reynolds Tony Ponessa
Addison Richards The Judge
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
Arthur Ayleswofth Tim
Barbara Bedford Catholic Sister
Orville Caldwell Warden
Roger Converse Newspaper Reporter Lane
Wesley Giraud Butch
Donald Haines Alabama
John Hamilton Warden
Al Hill Apples
George Humbert Calateri
Gladden James Doctor
Victor Kilian The Sheriff
Tommy Noonan Red
Jay Novello Gangster
Kane Richmond Newspaper Reporter Jackson
Phillip Terry Newspaper Reporter
Johnny Walsh Charley Haines
William Worthington Governor
John Wray Weasel
Walter Young Judge
Technical Credits
Norman Taurog Director
John W. Considine Jr. Producer
Cedric Gibbons Art Director
Eleanore Griffin Screenwriter
Urie McCleary Art Director
James K. McGuinness Original Story
John Meehan Screenwriter
Dore Schary Screenwriter
Elmo Vernon Editor
Slavko Vorkapich Special Effects
Sidney Wagner Cinematographer
Edward Ward Score Composer
Edwin B. Willis Set Decoration/Design
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 4 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(3)

4 Star

(1)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Boys Town an All Time Classic

    Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney are wonderful together in this heart warming tale of a kid from the streets (Mickey Rooney) who finds himself far from the city but in the country of all places in a Home for Boys.. Run by Spencer Tracy....

    At first it was a difficult challange for the kid from the Big City to accept the rules and regulations of Boys Town... But with a lot of love and some emotional moments with other members of Boys town... the kid from the city adapted to the ways of Boy's Town and went on to be a a model member of Boys Town... Pretty Accurate to the Real Life Story of Boys Town... Wonderful Family Movie

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 30, 2003

    the greatest movie made

    i can not believe that this is not made in a dvd. if anyones knows where i can buy this in a dvd please let me know...this movie is so real and touching , you feel it when you visit boystown,

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 17, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 15, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews