Boys Town
1938 · Movie · NR · 96 min · ★ 6.8 · 85% critics
A determined priest creates a home for troubled and abandoned boys, built on the belief that kindness, responsibility, and trust can change lives. His ideals are tested when a defiant young delinquent arrives and pushes the community’s hopeful system to its limits.
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Details
- Years
- 1938
- Release date
- 1938-09-08
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 85/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.8/10 (104 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you like old-fashioned, inspirational dramas with a strong moral core, especially in the vein of The Human Comedy or The Keys of the Kingdom; Not for you if syrupy, preachy classics wear you down.
Pros: heartfelt message; inspiring central performance; uplifting spirit | Cons: heavy sentimentality; predictable story beats; divisive supporting performance
Themes
- priest
- juvenile delinquent
- catholic
- lincoln nebraska
- boys' boarding school
- nebraska
- reform
- accident
- boys town
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Story · 1939
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1939
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1939 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1939 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Story · 1939 · nominated
Show all 7 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1939 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1939 · nominated
Cast & crew
Spencer Tracy
as Father Flanagan
Mickey Rooney
as Whitey Marsh
Henry Hull
as Dave Morris
Leslie Fenton
as Dan Farrow
Gene Reynolds
as Tony Ponessa
Edward Norris
as Joe Marsh
Addison Richards
as Judge
Minor Watson
as Bishop
Jonathan Hale
as John Hargraves
Bobs Watson
as Pee Wee
Directed by Norman Taurog