"There isn't any such thing in the world as a bad boy."
Even people who haven't seen "Boys Town" know Spencer Tracy's line, in character as Father Edward Flanagan, as the credo of the real Boys Town, the institution renowned for its care of orphaned and troubled kids. The classic movie, released 75 years ago this week (on September 9, 1938), was a huge hit, a milestone in the careers of Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, and an inspiration to wayward kids and those who would help them, all over the country.
As beloved as the movie has been for generations, there's still plenty you may not know about it -- how it almost didn't get released, how Tracy's Oscar victory almost turned into a publicity nightmare, and how the movie almost did more harm than good to the real Boys Town.
Read on for 25 true tales behind the making of "Boys Town.
Even people who haven't seen "Boys Town" know Spencer Tracy's line, in character as Father Edward Flanagan, as the credo of the real Boys Town, the institution renowned for its care of orphaned and troubled kids. The classic movie, released 75 years ago this week (on September 9, 1938), was a huge hit, a milestone in the careers of Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, and an inspiration to wayward kids and those who would help them, all over the country.
As beloved as the movie has been for generations, there's still plenty you may not know about it -- how it almost didn't get released, how Tracy's Oscar victory almost turned into a publicity nightmare, and how the movie almost did more harm than good to the real Boys Town.
Read on for 25 true tales behind the making of "Boys Town.
- 9/9/2013
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Similar News
Remembering Sam Rubin: Ktla’s Gentleman on the Red Carpet Who Never Stopped From Having the ‘Best F—ing Time’
- 5/13/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Eric Newman (‘Griselda’ executive producer) on Sofia Vergara: ‘We wanted people to say, ‘Wow, can you believe she did this?” [Exclusive Video Interview]
- 5/13/2024
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
Inside the NBCUniversal Upfront: Snoop Dogg, Penguins and a Top Secret ‘Wicked’ Trailer
- 5/13/2024
- by Mikey O'Connell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Elvis Was Too Embarrassed to Leave His Dressing Room for 1 Film
- 5/13/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’ Took 10 Years to Write
- 5/13/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Never Let His Backing Band Get Comfortable
- 5/11/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
‘90 Day Fiance’ Fans Dread Michael & Angela’s Impending Return
- 5/13/2024
- by Amanda Lauren
- TV Shows Ace
10 Great Films About Three-Way Relationships: ‘The Dreamers,’ ‘Design for Living,’ and More
- 5/8/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
The Rise of Mega Studios: How MGM Remade Hollywood 100 Years Ago
- 4/29/2024
- by Chris Yogerst
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Edgar Wright in Talks to Direct ‘Barbarella’ Starring Sydney Sweeney
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Third ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Set With Paul Giamatti
- 5/13/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $131 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
‘Lord of the Rings’ Anime Feature, DC’s ‘Creature Commandos’ Set for Warner Bros. Presentation at Annecy
- 5/13/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Aida Rodriguez: Unpacking My Childhood Traumas Through Comedy Is Cathartic
- 5/6/2024
- by Aida Rodriguez
- Popsugar.com
How Erik Rivera Uses Comedy to Heal and Help Others
- 5/6/2024
- by Miguel Machado
- Popsugar.com
Ian Lara: Comedy Gave Me the Strength to Overcome My Mother's Death
- 5/6/2024
- by Ian Lara
- Popsugar.com
Sasha Merci: How Comedy Has Helped Me Navigate Depression
- 5/6/2024
- by Sasha Merci
- Popsugar.com
Gina Brillon: The Loss of My Grandmother Pushed Me to Pursue Comedy
- 5/6/2024
- by Gina Brillon
- Popsugar.com
Would Adding ‘Apes’ Character Koba Make Other Movies Better? Social Media Seems to Think So
- 5/14/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
“How Do I Capture the Storytelling That is Quintessential to South America, and Marry It to the Experience of Living Here in Florida?”: Director Kevin Contento on His Vimeo Staff Pick, From Fish to Moon
- 5/14/2024
- by Monica Uszerowicz
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Jerry Seinfeld Loses His Netflix #1 to Brooke Shields in ‘Mother of the Bride’
- 5/13/2024
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
John Leguizamo Says He Had ‘Suable Terms’ Over ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Casting
- 5/13/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Cannes 2024
- 5/13/2024
- MUBI
Edgar Wright in Talks to Direct ‘Barbarella’ Starring Sydney Sweeney
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $131 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
Would Adding ‘Apes’ Character Koba Make Other Movies Better? Social Media Seems to Think So
- 5/14/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Jerry Seinfeld Loses His Netflix #1 to Brooke Shields in ‘Mother of the Bride’
- 5/13/2024
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Carrie-Anne Moss Joins Arnold Schwarzenegger in Season 2 of FUBAR
- 5/13/2024
- by IMDb News
- IMDb News
Third ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Set With Paul Giamatti
- 5/13/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Live: Maya Rudolph / Vampire Weekend SNL Roundtable – S49 E19
- 5/14/2024
- by Saturday Night Network
- LateNighter
‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Complain After Show Page Spoils Game
- 5/13/2024
- TV Insider
Bradley Cooper Submits His Two-Minute ‘Abbott Elementary’ Performance as Himself for Emmys
- 5/13/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety - TV News