EssenceStory Well Deserved Praise

Laikals The greatest movie ever made..!

ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

Taha Avalos The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

lrrap Yes...man enough to risk breaking down in tears and crying like a baby at the aftermath of Bo Hunk's demise? When Ted Maitland...that poor kid who suffers so much pain and heartbreak...finally summons the strength to pull himself together and (literally) stand on his own, with Herbert Stothart's background music sounding as if the Heavens have opened and angel voices are cascading down from above (he actually quotes the carol "Angels We Have Heard on High" at this point).... I thought I'd never recover from this scene, which must be among the most heart wrenching in all cinema.Of course, bear in mind that it's the Louis B. Mayer/MGM special brand of heartstring tugging, which many people regard as hopelessly old-fashioned and manipulative. But so what? That's what audiences of the day knew, living through the desperation and darkness of the Depression, where young children who were orphaned or abandoned often faced the cruelty of the world by themselves, where a saint-like character such as Father Flanagan represented both spiritual and physical salvation. "Men of Boy's Town" is certainly as maudlin and sentimental a film as you are likely to encounter, but it serves as a testament to the time in which it was made....and as such remains a valuable social document, both in terms of its subject matter and the way in which audiences of the day reacted to it.That being said, the Darrell Hickman character---the pint-sized hood "Flip"---seems about as exaggerated and far from reality as can be imagined, but then again, what do I know? I wasn't alive back then; maybe such characters actually existed. (And yes, the "SLO-MO" comedy act that the boys perform to cheer up Ted in his hospital room goes on AT LEAST 3 times as long as it should have).Still, first-rate performances all around.It's a pity that this film is practically un-noticeable as a bonus on the same DVD along with "Boy's Town", so little attention is it given; I at first thought it was a short documentary or something of that sort; but no, it is a full-length, and very substantial sequel to the fine original film.

wes-connors More "Boys Town" fun from director Norman Taurog and company; including Spencer Tracy as the good Priest, and Mickey Rooney as Bad Boy (turned good). Mr. Tracy continues to fight for his homes for "Delinquent Boys"; Mr. Rooney begins to fight for wayward boys, too, proving the Priest's theories work. Again, Tracy makes a good case for nurture over nature. Again, the film suffers through mugging slapstick, and oversentimentality. It's difficult to take the movie seriously after the slow-motion fight scene. Larry Nunn steals the film, with a more consistent performance than Spencer Tracy! Mickey Rooney! and Bobs Watson! If you must take another trip to "Boys Town", watch Larry Nunn as "Ted" turn in a fine performance amid all the overacting and underplaying. ***** Men of Boys Town (4/10/41) Norman Taurog ~ Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Larry Nunn, Bobs Watson

dglink Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney return as Father Flanagan and Whitey Marsh in this sentimental sequel to the almost equally sentimental original "Boys Town." However, the sentiment is in a good cause, and both films are ideal for those rainy afternoons on the sofa with a pound of chocolates and a box of Kleenex.As he was in the original film, Spencer Tracy is the rock at the center of "Men of Boys Town." His performance as Flanagan is solid, reassuring, and subtle. Tracy was a master of film acting and never indulged in histrionics; however, when he spoke his words carried weight, and his figure had a presence that commanded attention. Mickey Rooney, on the other hand, could overplay a part, and his Whitey Marsh in the original "Boys Town" teeters perilously on being over the top. However, three years later, both Rooney and Whitey are more mature, and the characterization benefits. Rooney has toned down and deepened his performance, and, with more screen time, he holds his own with Tracy.The film's plot is melodramatic and includes a crippled boy, a dog, a potential adoption, an escapee from a reform school, and financial problems, all of which, not surprisingly, resolve themselves in a flood of tears and smiles in the best tradition of old MGM movies. Bobs Watson returns as Pee Wee, and, although he should have outgrown the game with the candy in the drawers, he remains memorable for the waterworks that he could evidently turn on and off at the director's command. Anne Revere, no slouch in the tears department herself, has a small memorable part near the film's conclusion. Lee J. Cobb, who took over for Henry Hull as Dave Morris, Father Flanagan's friend, is effective, although there is an initial jolt when he appears, because his is the only major role that was recast from the original film.The original "Boys Town" and this sequel must have drawn millions into the coffers of Father Flanagan's home for boys. When the music soars over heart-rending scenes and Tracy intones his philosophy of there being no such thing as a bad boy, only the hardest curmudgeon would not be moved to reach for a checkbook.

muffinheuer2003 Mickey Rooney's performance is what makes this film terrific. I'm always amazed at the talent of Mickey Rooney. In my opinion he is a much underrated performer. He could do it all.Make you laugh, make you cry, make you jump for job. Mickey Rooney is the star of this movie, Men Of Boys Town. His performance is tops. He ease and dramatic and comedy talents are well on display here. In my opinion, he far outshines Spencer Tracy in both Boys Town and Men Of Boys Town. Mickey should have one the Oscar for this one. If you want to see more great acting by Mickey Rooney check out Young Tom Edison, Drive A Crooked Road, Huckleberry Finn etc. You wil be glad you did. Mickey Rooney, forever may he shine. He was and is the tops. The King Of Hollywood!