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Actors: Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Henry Hull, Edward Norris, Bobs Watson
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Boys Town |
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Father Flanagan (Tracy) has become a champion for the young boys he sees on the streets of his parish. He doesn't think the reformatories truly reform. He often speaks on behalf of the youth, and the courts often release these boys into his custody. Flanagan approaches the bishop with a radical idea: he doesn't believe any boy is bad. He wants to create a refuge for these young men. He enlists the help of Dave Morris (Hull), who helps him fund his dream. The project, which has started with five youth, soon is growing beyond expectation. Flanagan decides to create a town where the boys govern themselves and assume responsibility for themselves and each other.
As he continues on his mission, Flanagan ministers to convict Joe Marsh (Norris). He wants a better life for his kid brother, Whitey (Rooney). Flanagan agrees to help, but Whitey wants nothing to do with Flanagan or his town. When he has made life as miserable as possible for the inhabitants of Boys Town, Whitey runs away. As Whitey is leaving, precious Pee Wee (Watson) -- the youngest boy who is the defacto mascot of the institution – decides to try to follow his friend and is hit by a car. Whitey is also witness to a bank robbery by his brother. Joe begs him not to rat and to go straight. Whitey struggles with the request. Father Flanagan is still willing to help.
Tracy was awarded an Oscar for his role as Flanagan.
--ldpaulson, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Boys Town |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about
books by breaking them down into many different literary
elements, all of which are searchable (click here). |
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- 1930's-1950's
Kids growing up/acting up?
Yes
Kids:
- committing crimes
Age group
- trouble in high school
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- religious figure
Age:
- 40's-50's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Body type
- (man) muscular
Events of movie makes character more...
- sensitive
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair style
- (man) very short/crewcut
How much in movie?
- 60%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- an organization
Setting
United States
Yes
City?
Yes
City:
- dirty, grimy (like New York)
- dangerous
Misc setting
- prison
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Movie makes you feel...
- encouraged
Check here if B&W
Yes
Any profanity?
- None
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Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 ldpaulson
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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