Boys Town (1938)
- Starring:
- Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, (more)
- Director(s):
- Norman Taurog
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- NR
- Category:
- Drama
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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." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 199 mins
Complete Cast:
- Spencer Tracy - Father Flanagan
- Henry Hull - Dave Morris
- Gene Reynolds - Tony Ponessa
- Bobs Watson - Pee Wee
- Minor Watson - The Bishop
- Martin Spellman - Skinny
- Frankie Thomas - Freddie Fuller
- Sidney Miller - Mo Kahn
- Wesley Giraud - Butch
- William Worthington - Governor
- Kane Richmond - Newspaper Reporter Jackson
- Gladden James - Doctor
- Tommy Noonan - Red
- Victor Kilian - The Sheriff
- George Humbert - Calateri
- Donald Haines - Alabama
- John Hamilton - Warden
- Jay Novello - Gangster
- Mickey Rooney - Whitey Marsh
- Leslie Fenton - Dan Farrow
- Addison Richards - The Judge
- Edward Norris - Joe Marsh
- Jonathan Hale - John Hargraves
- Mickey Rentschler - Tommy Anderson
- Jimmy Butler - Paul Ferguson
- Robert Emmett Keane - Burton
- John Wray - Weasel
- Arthur Ayleswofth - Tim
- Roger Converse - Newspaper Reporter Lane
- Al Hill - Apples
- Johnny Walsh - Charley Haines
- Barbara Bedford - Catholic Sister
- Walter Young - Judge
- Orville Caldwell - Warden
- Phillip Terry - Newspaper Reporter
- Director(s):
- Norman Taurog
- Writer(s):
- Dore Schary, John Meehan, Eleanore Griffin
- Producer(s):
- John W. Considine, Jr.
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- NR(Child Classic)
- Categories:
- Drama
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1938 - Film Daily - 10 Best Films
- 1938 - National Board of Review - Best Acting
