Boys Town (1938)
Boys Town is a movie to be treasured for many reasons. Not only is it a true story, honoring the life of Father Flanagan who created a home for wayward boys that still stands today, but it inspired one of the little child actors in the film to become a minister! Little Bobs Watson, famous for his pouty face and on-demand tears, melted audiences’ hearts as Pee Wee, loyal to a fault and always on the lookout for a piece of candy. He grew up with fond memories of his time on the set with Spencer Tracy and left Hollywood for the church.
This is one of those gems of the silver screen where every scene is good and nothing really bad happens. Yes, the first scene is a man on death row giving his last confession to a priest, but it’s the impetus for the entire rest of the movie. The man, Leslie Fenton, cries and wonders aloud what kind of life he would have lived had he had a better start as a kid. Spencer Tracy is calming and supportive until the end, then wonders what it would take to start up a home for boys like Leslie who see no other option than a life of crime. He approaches his wealthy buddy, Henry Hull, for initial capital, and Boys Town is set in motion. Henry is adorable in this movie as Spence’s endless piggy bank, a reluctant helper but a marshmallow softie on the inside who loves the kids just as much as Spence does. In one of my favorite scenes, the boys are upset because the organization doesn’t have the money for a nice Christmas dinner, and Henry bursts through the door with dinner and presents.
Mickey Rooney plays the tough kid personifying the Boys Town spirit. He’s a young gangster, but Spence opens his arms and tries to cure him with kindness. Like Edward G. Robinson looks for angles in Brother Orchid’s monastery, Mickey takes advantage of the other kids, including Sidney Miller, Bobs Watson, Martin Spellman, and others. He’s quite different from his “aw shucks” Andy Hardy persona, which is probably why the Academy honored him with a nomination. Here at the Rag, we bestowed a Juvenile Award to Mickey for his performance in Boys Town.
If somehow Boys Town slipped past you, you’ve got to rent it. It’s one of my favorite Spencer Tracy movies, and my favorite of his performances. If it can make a softie out of me, who notoriously avoid children, it can make a softie out of you, too.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Henry Hull movies here!
More Mickey Rooney movies here!
More Spencer Tracy movies here!
More Bobs Watson movies here!
More Christmas movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1941's Men of Boys Town here!
This is one of those gems of the silver screen where every scene is good and nothing really bad happens. Yes, the first scene is a man on death row giving his last confession to a priest, but it’s the impetus for the entire rest of the movie. The man, Leslie Fenton, cries and wonders aloud what kind of life he would have lived had he had a better start as a kid. Spencer Tracy is calming and supportive until the end, then wonders what it would take to start up a home for boys like Leslie who see no other option than a life of crime. He approaches his wealthy buddy, Henry Hull, for initial capital, and Boys Town is set in motion. Henry is adorable in this movie as Spence’s endless piggy bank, a reluctant helper but a marshmallow softie on the inside who loves the kids just as much as Spence does. In one of my favorite scenes, the boys are upset because the organization doesn’t have the money for a nice Christmas dinner, and Henry bursts through the door with dinner and presents.
Mickey Rooney plays the tough kid personifying the Boys Town spirit. He’s a young gangster, but Spence opens his arms and tries to cure him with kindness. Like Edward G. Robinson looks for angles in Brother Orchid’s monastery, Mickey takes advantage of the other kids, including Sidney Miller, Bobs Watson, Martin Spellman, and others. He’s quite different from his “aw shucks” Andy Hardy persona, which is probably why the Academy honored him with a nomination. Here at the Rag, we bestowed a Juvenile Award to Mickey for his performance in Boys Town.
If somehow Boys Town slipped past you, you’ve got to rent it. It’s one of my favorite Spencer Tracy movies, and my favorite of his performances. If it can make a softie out of me, who notoriously avoid children, it can make a softie out of you, too.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Henry Hull movies here!
More Mickey Rooney movies here!
More Spencer Tracy movies here!
More Bobs Watson movies here!
More Christmas movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1941's Men of Boys Town here!
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture of 1938
Best Director: Norman Taurog
Best Actor: Spencer Tracy
Best Picture of 1938
Best Director: Norman Taurog
Best Actor: Spencer Tracy