Boys Town
1938, English. Directed by Norman Taurog.
"No boy is bad, if given a chance!"
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.
- Runtime
- 1h 36m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
Start now and it ends at ….
Popcorn Flick
Fun if you don’t overthink it.
6.8/10 from 112 TMDB viewer ratings.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch Boys Town
Boys Town isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can rent it online.
Rent
Amazon VideoAvailability in India as of 10 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Part of a series
Boys Town: watch order
Cast & crew
- Norman TaurogDirector
- 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
- Martin SpellmanSkinny
- Mickey RentschlerTommy Anderson
Details
- Released
- 8 September 1938
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- Dore Schary, Eleanore Griffin, John Meehan
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
If you liked Boys Town
The Boys of St. Vincent
1994 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Doubt
2008 · 7.2/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Keys of the Kingdom
1944 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Fatima
2020 · 7.2/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
House of Strangers
1949 · 7.0/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Man Without a Face
1993 · 6.6/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Small Things Like These
2024 · 6.7/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Newsies
1992 · 6.7/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Evelyn
2002 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Oliver Twist
1948 · 7.6/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Boys Town: quick answers
What comes after Boys Town?
Next in the series: Men of Boys Town (1941).
Is Boys Town worth watching?
Our verdict is Popcorn Flick: Fun if you don’t overthink it. It scores 6.8/10 from 112 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is Boys Town?
Boys Town runs 96 minutes (1h 36m).
Does Boys Town have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Boys Town. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Boys Town parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
Boys Town is rated NR in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is Boys Town on?
Boys Town isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can rent it online. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
What movies are like Boys Town?
If you liked Boys Town, try The Boys of St. Vincent, Doubt, The Keys of the Kingdom.
Who directed Boys Town?
Boys Town (1938) was directed by Norman Taurog and stars Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Henry Hull.