Boys Town | | Cast : | Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney | | Director : | Norman Taurog | | Studio : | | | Format : | | | Released Date : | September 09, 1938 | | DVD Released Date : | January 01, 2002 | | Language : | | | Audience Rating : | NR (Not Rated) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | March 05, 2005 | | Summary | The message still applies today. | Content
 | Boys Town is a timeless classic. An epic tale of a man (Fr. Flannagan) who witnessed the failure of society to do something about wayward youth while working as a jail chaplain, and heard the call from G-d to become part of the solution, instead of sitting on the sidelines and complaining about the problem.
For some, this film may seem mawkishly sentimental and altruistic,but its simple message rings loud and clear today and must be heard by all---parents, educators, mental health professonals, policy makers; There is no such thing as a bad boy (or girl).
In spite of being in black and white, and in spite of involving a religous figure, this film's message has wide appeal and has stood the test of time.
The message still applies today. |
| Rating | | | Date | November 22, 2004 | | Summary | GREAT AND WONDERFUL MOVIE | Content
| This movie is one of the all time best movies ever made. The second part Men Of Boys Town is just a great if not more so. Mickey Rooney gives one of his best performances, if not his all time best. This movie really spotlights his great dramitic acting skills as well as his comedy skills. Spencer Tracy was great as Father Flannigan, but Mickey Rooney steals the show. The story is great and the acting as just great. I love the friendship of the little boy Pee Wee and Whitney Marsh(Mickey Rooney). This movie is highly recommended....buy it now!!! |
| Rating | | | Date | November 16, 2004 | | Summary | Wonderfully Moving Story Of Father Flanagan And Boys Town | Content
| "Boys Town", is I believe one of those very special movies that only comes along occasionally in a viewing lifetime. I never fail to be moved and inspired by this wonderful story and by the very special man who is central to this story; Father Edward J. Flanagan, the man who founded Nebraska's famed Boys Town which has given hope and a decent future to countless homeless and abused young boys and girls ever since. MGM here created a perfect story out of this unique man's life and they ended up with a stunning motion picture that has remained a much loved classic ever since. Spencer Tracy will always be remembered for his Academy Award winning portrayal of Father Flanagan and it is he who gives "Boys Town", its lasting appeal with a performance full of honesty, and a belief in the basic decency of all people regardless of religion, age or colour. The films most famous line that "there is no such thing as a bad boy", echoes Father Flanagan's philosophy throughout his life and it creates a lasting impression that has succeeded in touching each new generation of movie goers who have loved this film.
"Boys Town", was planned as one of MGM Studios biggest productions for 1938 and having Spencer Tracy play the famous priest was an inspired piece of casting if ever there was. Tracy actually built up a reputation for his roles as a priest from his earlier work in "San Francisco". It indeed would be hard to find a better marriage of actor and role than we have here with Spencer Tracy and Father Flanagan. Playing the Priest as a caring, warm and endlessly optimistic man Spencer Tracy also injects the character with enough toughness and inner drive to make him a believable person who at times questions his own judgement and inner faith. It really is a masterful performance and stands as one of the pinnacles in Spencer Tracy's legendary career as an actor. Of course as in a major production such as this there is plenty of talent on show in the other major roles. Mickey Rooney really came into his own playing the streetwise tough boy Whitey Marsh who along the way, despite many ups and downs is given a new life full of hope by Father Flanagan. Rooney's often overlooked talent is truly utilised to the fullest here and his transformation to where he becomes Boys Town's Mayor through Father Flanagan's endless concern and care for him despite the troubles he causes is one of Rooney's best performances ever. Henry Hull playing Dave Morris the eternally frustrated offsider to Father Flanagan really does great work here and adds some much appreciated humour in the scenes when he hears about the "latest scheme" being hatched by Father Flanagan that of course he will be dragged into. The scene when he unexpectedly delivers Christmas presents to the boys who are going without even the basics for the festive season is a beautifully realised moment that is one of the most moving in this story. The young actors who make up the boys in the story are also outstanding and high marks in particular go to Gene Reynolds as the crippled boy Tony Ponessa who shares some of the most moving moments in "Boys Town", with Father Flanagan, Frankie Thomas as Boys Town Mayor Freddie Fuller, and perhaps most interesting of all Sidney Miller in a wonderfully played out performance that contains some great humour as jewish boy Mo Kahn. Child actor Bobs Watson of course steals many scenes as Boys Town's youngest resident Pee Wee who is largely responsible through almost tragic circumstances, for Whitey's transformation into a decent individual. Often accused of being overly sentimental "Boys Town", probably is guilty of that at times but I certainly dont see anything wrong with that. Certainly many problems are sorted out perhaps a bit too easily in the script and most of the boys seem to be perhaps at times a bit too nice but they are really not things to take exception to and the fine writing and character development on display make "Boys Town", first class viewing.
Followed a couple of years later with a sequel titled "Men of Boys Town", and featuring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney in their old roles, this 1938 film is still the one to see. In our present hardened society it is easy to pass harsh judgement on a film like "boys Town", however I find that I love this film more and more with each screening and I believe the sentiment works very well in telling this story. The care put into this film by cast and director Norman Taurog is evident in every frame and makes it a heart felt piece of movie story telling. There seem to be no performers like Spencer Tracy nowadays who could bring such feeling to the role of Father Flanagan in my belief. Sentiment, drama, action, and strong characters with a clear intent all combine to help make a viewing of MGM's "Boys Town", a treasured experience you should not miss. Enjoy this classic sometime soon. |
| Rating | | | Date | December 16, 2003 | | Summary | Good Movie | Content
| I don't like Spencer Tracey all that much, but he is wonderful in
this movie. Mickey Rooney is excellent too. Very heart warming, good movie to watch around Christmastime. |
| Rating | | | Date | October 31, 2003 | | Summary | An inspiration | Content
| I had watched this movie on TV a few years ago and was moved especially as it was based on the true story of Fr. Flanagan.
Movies like these uphold human values and dignity and give hope in a world were these values are getting blurred and ambiguous as is reflected in today's 'sensational' hollywood movies most of which promote superflous and artificial lifestyles and senseless action which please the senses but leave a vacuum in the soul. Of course, movies like Men of Honor and Jerry McGuire are an exception. Also it is commendable that there also exist producers like Mel Gibson who has the courage to produce "The Passion" in Aramaic (the language spoken by Christ) though it does not make much commercial sense.
All of this makes me think, is Hollywood reflecting contemporary life or is life reflecting Hollywood.
Wonder why no movie is made on the life of Fr.Maximilian Kolbe who resisted the Nazis in Poland and ultimately sacrificed his life in the Gas Chamber in exchange for another inmate in the Nazi Auchwitz camp in WWII. It could make a real good drama movie.
Hope the DVD that comes out on Boystown will have a special feature on the life and times of Fr. Flanagan. |
|
