Boys Town is a 1938 biographical drama film based on Father Edward J. Flanagan's work with a group of underprivileged and delinquent boys in a home that he founded and named "Boys Town". It stars Spencer Tracy as Father Edward J. Flanagan, and Mickey Rooney with Henry Hull, Leslie Fenton, and Gene ReynoldsThe film was written by Dore Schary, Eleanore Griffin and John Meehan, and was directed by Norman Taurog.A convicted murderer asks to make his confession on the day of his execution. He is visited by an old friend, Father Flanagan (Spencer Tracy) who runs a home for indigent men in Omaha, Nebraska. When the prison officials suggest that the condemned man owes the state a debt, Father Flanagan witnesses the condemned man's diatribe to prison officials and a reporter that describes his awful plight as a homeless and friendless boy who was a ward in state institutions. After the convicted man asks the officials to leave, Father Flanagan provides some comfort and wisdom. On the train back to Omaha, Father Flanagan is transformed in his humanitarian mission by revelations (echoed in the words) imparted by the condemned man's litany of hardships experienced as a child without friends or family as a ward of the state.Father Flanagan believes there is no such thing as a bad boy and spends his life attempting to prove it. He battles indifference, the legal system, and often even the boys, to build a sanctuary that he calls Boys Town. The boys have their own government, make their own rules, and dish out their own punishment.This is well made film. The story still works today and the cast delivers the goods. I think children will be bored watching this however the older you are the more you will love this film.I am not a religious person but I was relieved that the hero of the film is a man of faith. Its nice to see a film where religion is not the villain.

Spencer Tracy won his second consecutive Academy Award for this turn as Father Flanaghan, the architect and operator of Boys Town.Following up 'Captains Courageous', Tracy cemented himself as an actor's actor.Surrounded by an outstanding supporting cast, and pitching a great script, this film definitely makes the 'Best' list and with little question.Well paced and with excellent delivery, 'Boys Town' is definitely one to watch if you really consider yourself a film buff.Bring popcorn.

A success in its day, "Boys Town" is the story of how a Priest saves his "Home for Juvenile Delinquent Boys". He takes in boys that society can't manage, and operates under the motto: "There is No Bad Boy." Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney star as Priest and head Bad Boy.I was interested in seeing two great stars, Mr. Tracy and Mr. Rooney, work together. They don't. Norman Taurog directs. Rooney fails from going over-the-top, and Tracy sometimes look bored. They each have some moments. You can't fault Rooney for playing a part with the enthusiasm of "Strike Up the Band!" when they give him scenes like the "black face" bit in "Boys Town". Tracy doesn't get to wear any "black face", so he comes off better. It looks like the only Black face in "Boys Town" is the one painted on "Whitey".I like the "candy scenes" scenes. I liked the tribute to FDR by Tracy and Gene Reynolds (as "Tony"). I didn't think the film was as good as its "message"; the ingredients put in to the film do not mix well. It doesn't have to be, but it isn't very realistic, either. A too sentimental presentation (of a worthy message) with some famous performances. ***** Boys Town (9/8/38) Norman Taurog ~ Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Gene Reynolds

This is a pretty famous movie, one of those old-fashioned feel-good films that bring a tear or two to the eye of the sensitive individual.It's very dated, yes, but part of that "dated" means mostly nice kids, not brats and more nice role models, instead of extremely-flawed heroes. It seems, as film fans, we normally got one of the extremes thrown at us: overly good or overly bad. This is overly good.....but I'm fine with that.Mickey Rooney really livens the film up with his appearance. He and most of the characters represent an America that is long gone, people and ideas that are way too "corny" for today's audience. Sometimes it's sappy but sometimes it's refreshing to see, too. The "bad" kids in this film seem pretty nice and tame to today's bad kids, believe me. "There are no bad boys," as Father Flanagan put it, and one would wonder if that still applied today. Flanagan is nicely portrayed by Spencer Tracy. The priest is shown to be one who had a real heart for wayward boys.Spencer and Rooney are the obvious stars of this sentimental story but little "Pee Wee," played by Bobs Watson, is the most endearing character in the movie.Corny but a remembrance of a much more innocent America.