Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Boys Town

Boys Town

Seen it?

1938 | 96 min | Drama

Friday Night Flickearly rating

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (90% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won 2 Oscars. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 36 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1938: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Devout but iron-willed Father Flanagan leads a community called Boys Town, a different sort of juvenile detention facility where, instead of being treated as underage criminals, the boys are shepherded into making themselves better people. But hard-nosed petty thief and pool shark Whitey Marsh, the impulsive and violent younger brother of an imprisoned murderer, might be too much for the good father's tough-love system.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    90% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 2 Oscars: Best Actor, Best Story. Also nominated for 3 more Oscars.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $4 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 36K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Norman Taurog

  • Spencer TracyFather Flanagan
  • Mickey RooneyWhitey Marsh
  • Henry HullDave Morris
  • Leslie FentonDan Farrow
  • Gene ReynoldsTony Ponessa
  • Edward NorrisJoe Marsh
  • Addison RichardsJudge
  • Minor WatsonBishop
  • Jonathan HaleJohn Hargraves
  • Bobs WatsonPee Wee