Boys Town
Boys Town is a 1938 American biographical drama film based on Father Edward J. Flanagan's work with a group of underprivileged boys in a home/educational complex that he founded and named "Boys Town" in Nebraska. It stars Spencer Tracy as Father Edward J. Flanagan, and Mickey Rooney with Henry Hull, Leslie Fenton, and Gene Reynolds.
Plot
A convicted murderer asks to make his confession on the day of his execution. He is visited by an old friend, Father Flanagan (Spencer Tracy) who runs a home for indigent men in Omaha, Nebraska. When the prison officials suggest that the condemned man owes the state a debt, Father Flanagan witnesses the condemned man's diatribe to prison officials and a reporter that describes his awful plight as a homeless and friendless boy who was a ward in state institutions. After the convicted man asks the officials to leave, Father Flanagan provides some comfort and wisdom. On the train back to Omaha, Father Flanagan is transformed in his humanitarian mission by revelations (echoed in the words) imparted by the condemned man's litany of hardships suffered as a child, without friends or family, and a ward of the state.
Awards
Cast
- Addison Richards
- Barbara Bedford
- Bobs Watson
- Claire McDowell
- Edward Hearn
- Edward Norris
- Everett Brown
- Frankie Thomas
- Gene Reynolds
- George Cooper
- Henry Hull
- Jay Novello
- John Hamilton
- John Wray
- Jonathan Hale
- Kane Richmond
- King Baggot
- Leslie Fenton
- Mickey Rooney
- Minor Watson
- Sidney Miller
- Spencer Tracy
- Tommy Noonan
- William Worthington
More details
| author | Dore Schary Eleanore Griffin John Meehan |
|---|---|
| award | Academy Award for Best Actor Academy Award for Best Story |
| contentLocation | Nebraska |
| director | Norman Taurog |
| editor | Elmo Veron |
| genre | drama |
| keywords | bad boy boxing match boys town condemned man convicted murderer disabled edward j. flanagan end father flanagan federal prison hit by a car legal system old friend omaha nebraska outgo talk than the |
| musicBy | Edward Ward |
| nomination | Academy Award for Best Actor Academy Award for Best Director Academy Award for Best Picture Academy Award for Best Story Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay |
| producer | John W. Considine Jr. |
| productionCompany | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| publisher | Loews Cineplex Entertainment |
| theme | biographical drama |