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Boys Town (MGM 1938, Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney)

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‘This picture is dedicated to Father Edward Flanagan and his splendid work for homeless, abandoned boys, regardless of race, creed or colour.’ So reads the inscription at the start of Boys Town, an inspirational drama that deservedly won two Oscars – one for Best Original Story, the other for SPENCER TRACY (his second in two years. following 1937’s Captains Courageous). Tracy reportedly gave his Oscar to the real-life Edward Flanagan, with an engraving dedicating his performance to the founder of the real-life boys’ home in Nebraska. The Oscar now rests in the home’s museum.

The film begins with a man on Death Row telling priest Father Edward Flanagan (Tracy) that his life would have been different if he’d had a friend when he was 12. The words haunt the priest and when he returns home to Omaha, Nebraska, he determines to start a home for boys in trouble. Boys Town opens – thanks to the financial aid of generous pawnbroker Dave Morris (HENRY HULL) – with Father Flanagan finding few people willing to subscribe to his idea that “there’s no such thing as a bad boy”. Someone testing that creed is Whitey Marsh (MICKEY ROONEY), the younger brother of convict Joe Marsh (EDWARD NORRIS). Father Flanagan takes Whitey in, even though the youngster is ambivalent about staying.

The priest persuades Whitey to run for mayor of Boys Town, against a handicapped boy, Tony Ponessa (GENE REYNOLDS). When the boys reject his campaign in favour of Tony’s, Whitey decides to leave Boys Town and chance his arm in the outside world. When he gets caught up in a bank robbery co-ordinated by his brother, however, he finds himself needing Father Flanagan’s assistance to extricate him from the mess.

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production details
USA | MGM | 96 minutes | 1938

Director: Norman Taurog
Script: Eleanore Griffin, John Meehan, Dore Schary,

cast
Henry Hull as Dave Morris
Robert Emmett Keane as Burton
Jonathan Hale as John Hargraves
John Wray as Weasel (uncredited)
Jay Novello as Gangster (uncredited)
Frankie Thomas as Freddie Fuller
Spencer Tracy as Father Edward J. Flanagan
Mickey Rooney as Whitey Marsh
Leslie Fenton as Dan Farrow
Gene Reynolds as Tony Ponessa
Edward Norris as Joe Marsh
Addison Richards as The Judge
Minor Watson as The Bishop
Bobs Watson as Pee Wee
Martin Spellman as Skinny
Mickey Rentschler as Tommy Anderson
Jimmy Butler as Paul Ferguson
Sidney Miller as Mo Kahn
Victor Kilian as The Sheriff
John Hamilton as Prison Warden (uncredited)
Claire McDowell as Catholic Nun (uncredited)

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Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

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