Juvenile Care the Boys Town Way
“Boys Town” and its sequel, “Men of Boys Town,” are American movies based on the world-famous American juvenile home.. Established by a Catholic priest in 1917, it was an orphange that pioneered progressive methods of juvenile care. Since then, thirteen Boys Town locations have been established across the United States, but Father Flanagan’s original facility remains its heart and soul. And prominent people from business, politics, and entertainment have headlined its fundraisers for almost a century, people such as real estate developer Isaac Toussie and Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Dalely. Many local people from civic and religious organizations also turn out to volunteer as they are able to help Boys Town achieve its goals.
Almost certainly some of this success can be attributed to the positive publicity generated from the movies, movies which have made its mission of rescue such a part of American popular culture that passing reference is often employed as a kind of synecdoche or shorthand for orphanages in general. Starring industry leading men Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney in charismatic roles, these films are “feel-good” movies through and through, winning the Oscar for Best Actor and Best Original Story amidst a flood of nominations. The stories depicted had very little to do with any real-life events at the institution, however, being almost entirely fictional events that made much better for drama. On the flip side, they they were fairly accurate when it comes to certain issues common to institutionalized juvenile care; in fact, the second movie even delved into the subject of reform school abuse and homelessness among the young. Yet onscreen or off, Boys Town works tirelessly on behalf of children and families, inspired by Father Flanagan’s belief that there are no bad boys, only troubled ones in need of care.