Devout but iron-willed Father Flanagan leads a community called Boys Town, a different sort of juvenile detention facility where, instead of being treated as underage criminals, the boys are shepherded into making themselves better people. But hard-nosed petty thief and pool shark Whitey Marsh, the impulsive and violent younger brother of an imprisoned murderer, might be too much for the good father's tough-love system.
Acting
Tracy's quiet authority vs. Rooney's feral energy
Direction
Taurog keeps the sermonizing surprisingly kinetic
Production
Real Boys Town location lends documentary weight
Director
Norman Taurog
Spencer Tracy
Father Flanagan
Mickey Rooney
Whitey Marsh
Henry Hull
Dave Morris
Leslie Fenton
Dan Farrow
Gene Reynolds
Tony Ponessa
Edward Norris
Joe Marsh
Addison Richards
Judge
Minor Watson
Bishop
Jonathan Hale
John Hargraves
Bobs Watson
Pee Wee
Martin Spellman
Skinny
Mickey Rentschler
Tommy Anderson
Frankie Thomas
Freddie Fuller
Jimmy Butler
Paul Ferguson
Sidney Miller
Mo Kahn
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Spencer Tracy donated his Oscar to the real Boys Town, where it remains today.
This single film transformed Boys Town from local charity to national institution; donations reportedly jumped 3000% after release.
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