BOYS' TOWN
US, 1938, 92 minutes, Black and White.
Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney.
Directed by Norman Taurog.
Boys' Town was a popular film at the end of the 30's and led to a commercial sequel Men of Boys' Town. The film tells the story of Father Edward Flanagan who believed that there was no such thing as a bad boy and set about to build an institution for boys in trouble, difficult charactered boys, which would not work by fear and authoritarian discipline but by friendship, common enterprise and responsibility.
The film is one of those warm hearted U.S. biographies that loves its subject so much and wants its audience to appreciate him so much that it veers towards hero worship and some sentimentality. Much of the action and the type of incidents and characters shown are quite predictable. However, the true story and the social needs make the film more interesting and appealing than the typical Hollywood production, although Spencer Tracy's Oscar winning performance is not too much different from one by Bing Crosby in Going My Way. If allowances are made for some of its dated aspects, the film is enjoyable and fairly moving.
1. Admiration for Fr. Flanagan of Boys' Town? As a man? For the job he was trying to do? For his dedication?
2. How did the film show you there was a need for Boys' Town? Is there a similar need today? Are there Boys' Towns today?
3. Was Fr. Flanagan an unrealistic man? He believed that there was no such thing as a bad boy, preferred to let others worry about his financial needs and relied on prayer and faith in God. Was he justified in his actions?
4. Do you think Boys' Town was well run by the boys themselves with their mayor and council?
5. Did you like Freddie, Tony, Pee Wee? Why was each of these characters introduced into the film, from the filmmaker's point of view; for what kind of response from the audience?
6. Was Mickey Rooney a convincing pug as Whitey? How bad was he and how much was shown? was he an interesting character for the audience? (The filmmakers wanted him to be interesting so that Fr. Flanagan's beliefs would be tested).
7. Was the film melodramatic, sentimental? Tony for Mayor, Pee Wee's sweets and his accident, Whitey's involvement with his brother's robbery, Whitey as Mayor? Did this spoil the film?
