Tracy Has Qualms Over Playing Living Priest

Reprinted from a 1938 studio publication.

For the second time in his career, Spencer Tracy is playing a part which his entire nature rebels against.

It is the role of Father Edward J. Flanagan in “Boys Town,” and his reasons are easy to understand when expressed by the star himself.

“Once before I played the part of a priest,” Tracy says. “It was as ‘Father Tim’ in “San Francisco.” I fought against taking that part, not because it wasn’t respectful and factual, but because I didn’t consider myself capable of playing the role of a priest. I still think no one can properly portray such a character without having lived as one. Maybe I’m not a real actor, but I do know that one can be confronted with a particular role like this that demands more than is in ones power to give.

“This time, instead of putting a fictitious person on the screen, I’m playing the part of a great man who is still alive. I’ll never be the man Father Flanagan has proven himself to be. Long after I’m forgotten, Father Flanagan will go down in history’s pages as one of the great humanitarians of the twentieth century. And I’m supposed to be that man in a screen version of his life. It’s a tough assignment. But I think maybe I can do better by him than other men who might consider him in a different light. I respect that man. Above all, I love him.”

To illustrate the magnitude of his job, Tracy points to the following foreword to the picture:

“The name of Father Flanagan isn’t familiar to most of you, but it is known to most boys lost and afraid of the world; his name is an inspiration to renegade kids who need a decent break; he is, in fact, a father to boys without a family or home of their own.

“There is such a man.

“His story is one of unswerving loyalty; magnificent perseverance and glowing idealism.

“This is Father Flanagan’s story, his picture, and it is dedicated to his work, which is so real, vibrant and pulsing with hope, renewed faith and courage.”

Tracy points out that he has to live up to the man about whom it was written.

For 25 years Boys Town has existed. During that period 4500 boys have graduated from the community. They made their own way. Not a single one of those boys has run afoul of the law. Not a single one has his name on a police record.

“I’ve awakened nights, seeing 4500 pairs of eyes looking at my impersonation of Father Flanagan,” says Tracy. “Sure, every one of the lads who graduated from the town will be seeing the picture, and I’ll be the object of their criticism.

“One thing, I have Father Flanagan on my side. He has already told me many things which will help a lot in making him real on the screen.

“I think he would have a far easier time playing the role of Spencer Tracy than Spencer Tracy will have of playing him. Many’s the time he must have put on an act, through the twenty-five years which saw Boys Town grow from a group of four youths into an institution which is making men of 200 boys. I’m willing to wager that he is a far better actor than I am.”