spencer tracy and mickey rooney return a father flanagan and whitey marsh in this sentimental sequel to the almost equally sentimental original boy town . however and the sentiment be in a good cause and and both film be ideal for those rainy afternoon on the sofa with a pound of chocolate and a box of kleenex . a he be in the original film and spencer tracy be the rock at the center of men of boy town . his performance a flanagan be solid and reassuring and and subtle . tracy be a master of film acting and never indulge in histrionics while however and when he speak his word carry weight and and his figure have a presence that command attention . mickey rooney and on the other hand and could overplay a part and and his whitey marsh in the original boy town teeter perilously on be over the top . however and three year later and both rooney and whitey be more mature and and the characterization benefit . rooney have tone down and deepen his performance and and and with more screen time and he hold his own with tracy . the film plot be melodramatic and include a crippled boy and a dog and a potential adoption and an escapee from a reform school and and financial problem and all of which and not surprisingly and resolve themselves in a flood of tear and smile in the best tradition of old mgm movie . bob watson return a pee wee and and and although he should have outgrown the game with the candy in the drawer and he remain memorable for the waterworks that he could evidently turn on and off at the director command . anne revere and no slouch in the tear department herself and have a small memorable part near the film conclusion . lee j. cobb and who take over for henry hull a dave morris and father flanagan friend and be effective and although there be an initial jolt when he appear and because his be the only major role that be recast from the original film . the original boy town and this sequel must have draw million into the coffer of father flanagan home for boy . when the music soar over heart rend scene and tracy intones his philosophy of there be no such thing a a bad boy and only the hard curmudgeon would not be move to reach for a checkbook .