Boys Town
A determined Catholic priest builds a radical home for delinquent boys and risks everything to prove that compassion can defeat criminal destiny.
Overview
A priest's unwavering belief in redemption transforms the lives of troubled boys.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- sincere
- hopeful
- uplifting
- classic movie night
- family viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an effective, emotionally persuasive biographical drama anchored by Spencer Tracy's performance and its humane reformist message.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Father Flanagan's founding and development of Boys Town provide the film's organizing dramatic arc.
Flanagan opposes locking delinquent boys away and advocates a humane educational community instead.
Boys Town faces prejudice and funding shortages while Whitey's alleged involvement in a bank robbery puts the community at risk.
Much of the story follows Flanagan's sustained effort to change Whitey Marsh's path toward becoming a hoodlum.
Films like Boys Town, and why
The Miracle Worker
shared biographical drama structure, reformist social themes, and inspirational moral conflict
Dead Poets Society
shared humanistic drama, youth-centered rehabilitation, and compassionate institutional reform
The Great Debaters
shared true-life social reform narrative, principled protagonist, and uplifting emotional register
The Pride of the Yankees
shared classic Hollywood biography, idealistic leadership, and resistance to punitive institutions
Movie Details
- Director
- Norman Taurog
- Release Date
- 1938-09-08
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (109)
Cast
- Spencer Tracy
- Mickey Rooney
- Henry Hull
- Leslie Fenton
- Gene Reynolds
- Edward Norris
- Addison Richards
- Minor Watson
- Jonathan Hale
- Bobs Watson
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Boys Town about?
- A determined Catholic priest builds a radical home for delinquent boys and risks everything to prove that compassion can defeat criminal destiny.
- What is Boys Town like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Boys Town as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Boys Town violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Boys Town as mild.
- What did critics think of Boys Town?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an effective, emotionally persuasive biographical drama anchored by Spencer Tracy's performance and its humane reformist message.
- Which films are like Boys Town?
- Films with a similar feel include The Miracle Worker, Dead Poets Society, The Great Debaters, and The Pride of the Yankees.
- How long is Boys Town?
- Boys Town runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Boys Town?
- In United States, Boys Town is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
