MovieChat Forums > Boys Town (1938) Discussion > No Oscar for Rooney??

No Oscar for Rooney??

posted 14 years ago by burtnath
6 replies | jump to latest

I just watched Boys Town today and I was shocked at how good Rooney was! And come to find out he wasn't even NOMINATED for an award for this movie...What a crime!

[–] full-option 13 years ago

Rooney was overacting a lot. I didn't like his acting, it made the movie less watchable for me than it would have if some other kid would have played the role. He also striked me as a litte too old for the role (he was 18 years but looks older to me).

It was not the first time Rooney's (over)acting spoiled the movie for me (Babes in Arms ; The Human Comedy). When he's acting, he is litteraly "acting".

I respect him though ; but an Oscar for this role ? I'm not surprised he wasn't nominated.

[–] film-collector 9 years ago

I agree with full-option. I've heard some nasty stories about the guy.
But let's face it, anyone who thinks L.B.Meyer was a great guy, has something missing upstairs.

In the frozen land of Nador they were forced to eat Robins minstrels. And there was much rejoicing.

[–] ri4534 12 years ago

I, for one, AGREE. To me, his "over" acting is just GREAT. I thought he expressed emotions wonderfully.

[–] MissMcCrocodile 11 years ago

All his screaming and crying was a bit much for me.

[–] henryeather 10 years ago

I thought Mickey was awesome. He was always a little over the top.

[–] nosidak-434-909833 9 years ago

This was made in 1939, acting was a bit different back then also i saw this as a little kid in the 60s so i loved it and Whitey Marsh, Rooney was a great actor and as he got older he got better. Watch the Twilight Zone Episode with him playing a jockey he is the only person in the entire episode, he even interacts with his alter ego in the mirror. Just a fantastic episode.