This is a pedantic and puerile attempt at telling the story of the remarkable Father Flanagan and his admirable little community of Boys Town. As the good father, Spencer Tracy is one-dimensional, though warmer in his quieter scenes than was usually the case. As his toughest charge, Mickey Rooney is way over the top, and continually irritating. Half-way through the movie I was sincerely hoping he'd get bumped off. The few virtues this film possesses have to do with its intention, which is to tell us about Father Flanagan, which it does proficiently. Production values are outstanding, also, but the acting of the Young Ones leaves much to be desired, and one wishes the Dead End Kids, who had debuted in films the previous year, had turned up at some point and rocked the boat a little, showing us just how tough young deprived and neglected youngsters can be, and how much mischief they can make. I have no doubt that the father would have been more than up to the task, as he dealt with such things in real life all the time.
