Rating: NR
Genre:
Drama
Release Date: 11/08/2005
SubTitles: English/French/Sp
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD1
Run Time: 199 Minutes
Flags: Child Classic
Distributor/Studio: Warner Home Video
Spencer Tracy won his second Oscar for his portrayal of Father
Edward J. Flanagan--then promptly turned the statuette over to the real Father
Flanagan out of gratitude. The priest's philosophy that no boy will grow up bad if given a chance in life culminates in his formation of Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska. Unable to raise funds through "proper" channels,
Flanagan finds that his staunchest supporters are the workaday folks who have faith in him; none is stauncher than Jewish pawnbroker
Henry Hull, who digs deep into his pockets to help
Flanagan realize his dream. The story of the struggle to get Boys Town on its feet paralleled with the regeneration of punkish
Mickey Rooney, the younger brother of criminal
Edward Norris. At first a wise-guy rebel, Rooney rises to a position of authority, responsibility and respect in Boys Town's self-maintained government.
Boys Town, by the way, is the source of the classic line "He ain't heavy--he's my brother."
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
