Released in 1938, Boys Town was based on a real-life community in Nebraska, a home for orphaned and homeless boys that was started by Father Edward Flanagan. Starring Spencer Tracy as Flanagan, Boys Town was a box office success, and garnered five Oscar nominations, winning two (including a Best Actor nod for Tracy). While Tracy is indeed excellent, as a film Boys Town is mediocre.
Driven by the belief that “there is no such thing as a bad boy,” Father Edward J. Flanagan founds “Boys Town,” a self-governing, self-self-sufficient community for orphaned and wayward boys. After establishing the community just outside Omaha, Nebraska, Father Flanagan is visited by criminal Joe Marsh (Edward Norris), who asks him to take in his younger brother Whitey (played by eighteen-year-old Mickey Rooney) before it’s too late. A gangster in the making, he proves to be Flanagan’s toughest case yet.
Despite being saddled with a script that leans on every possible cliché (nonetheless, won an Oscar), and shameless heart tugging at every turn, Spencer Tracy elevates the material, as a man who never doubts his cause or his faith. Flanagan lets Jewish pawnbroker-turned-CFO Dave Morris (Henry Hull) worry about money, while he tends to the boys Ive never been much of a Mickey Rooney fan, he always seems a bit overzealous, but he excels here, delivering a surprisingly nuanced performance as a young man that despite his tough exterior, just wants to be loved. The relationship Whitey develops with his adoring pal Pee Wee (Bobs Watson), a precocious eight-year-old, is particularly touching.
Presented in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio, Warner Archive’s 1080p transfer is excellent. The image offers excellent sharpness and clarity throughout. grayscale offers inky black levels, and clean whites. There are no scratches or other anomalies to be seen.
Like the video, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono sound mix offers excellent clarity. Sound effects are well mixed, as are the gospel standards used as part of the background score. Dialogue is clean, clear, and concise. There is no flutter or other age related issues.
English SDH subtitles are available.
The following extras are included:
- City of Little Men (SD, 10:56) A short one-reel on Boys Town featuring the real Father Flanagan.
- Girls and Boys Town (SD, 2:07) An updated short on the facility.
- Good News of 1938 (16:42): a clip of MGM’s promotional radio program featuring the upcoming release of Boys Town hosted by Robert Young with comments by MGM head Louis B. Mayer and the stars of the film.
- Theatrical Trailer (SD, 3:12)
