Oscarized film about Father Flanagan who founded a home for orphan young boys . This true-ish story contains heart-warming drama , love , friendship , a blazingly effective sentiment and focusing on a lasting bond between Catholic Father Tracy and teen Rooney. This is the story of Father Flanagan and the City for boys that he built in Nebraska . There is such a place as Boys Town . There is a such a man as father Flanagan . This picture is dedicated to him and his splendid work for homeless , abandones boys , regardless of race , creed or color. When a death row prisoner tells him he wouldn't have led a life of crime if only he had had one friend as a child , Father Edward Flanagan (Spencer Tracy) decides to begin a home for young boys . Father Flanagan eventually establishes Boys Town on 200 acres of land 10 miles outside of Omaha , Nebraska. There Flanagan creates a home for juvenile soon-to-be-delinquents . Much of the movie takes Flanagan's tryings to influence one youngster called Whitey Marsh (Mickey Rooney) , who will become a crook if he doesn't change his ways . When Whitey is implicated in a bank robbery, it puts all of Boys Town at risk. BOYS' TOWN IS Real! Greater than the imagination of the best writers! NOMINATED FOR THE "TEN BEST HEART-DRAMAS OF ALL TIME!" . Not since "Captains Courageous"...such a heart-winning drama. The life story of a boy who was "born to be hung"! .The greatest heart drama of the year.
This is a sensitive , good feeling and nostalgic , including emotion , love , coming-of-age stories and enjoyable relationship between Flanagan and his protected boys . This quintaessential orphan, waif kiddies saga dealing with boyfriendship and religious protection , as the familiar elements of the genre are all strongly and gratingly in place . Being based on facts , with an attractive and charming screenplay . Said to have been producer Louis B. Mayer's favourite movie . Stars Spencer Tracy winning his second consecutive academy award , this time as the priest who founded a sanctuary for wayward boys . He and Michael Rooney were among the world's most popular stars at the time and the public flocked to watch the picture . But Spencer Tracy decided that the Oscar he had won really belonged to the real-life Flanagan . He sent it along the priest that a new inscription which read ¨To father Edward J Flanagan , whose great human qualities , kindly simplicity and inspiring courage were strong enough to shine through my humble effort : Spencer Tracy¨. A follow-up to the Oscar Winning film, ¨Boys Town¨ (1938) is followed , being titled ¨Men of Boys Town¨1941 by Norman Taurog stars again Mickey Rooney and Spencer Tracy return in an acceptable sequel , this time the school faces financial trouble as Flanagan attempts to help every little boy he meets , then the good Father Flanagan discovers a reform school that has neither reforming nor schooling.
The motion picture was competently directed by Norman Taurog , though it has some corny , dated and extremely sentimental scenes . Taurog was a good Hollywood professional , a fine craftsman who made a lot of movies of all kinds of genres with penchant for children films , comedies and musicals , directing Elvis Presley in various movies , such as : Adventures of Tom Sawyer , Birds and the Bees , Bundle of Joy , Broadway Melody 1940 , World and Music , Blue Hawaii , Girls Girls Girls , GI Blues, Double Trouble , Tickle Me , Speedway , Problem, Presenting Lily Mars , Toast of New Orleans, among others . The picture will appeal to Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney fans .
