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