It has been said that other countries look on at America's youth problem as the shame of a nation. The lack of after school programs and parents too busy to be there for their children isn't just a new issue, but one that has been around for many generations. This isn't to say that this problem has attacked America across the board or has been avoided in other countries, but the American press has documented this situation going back many decades.
"Young America" focuses on the youth of America, not America's early days. Tommy Conlon is a trouble-making kid who has the reputation of being the worst boy in town. His trouble-making actually seems pretty tame in comparison to what has come afterwords, but a cold-hearted aunt blames his behavior for influencing her own children. Brought before judge Ralph Bellamy, Conlon is accused of stealing a car which he claims he moved to get away from a fire hydrant. Certainly, Conlon is definitely heading down the wrong path, but a compassionate do-gooder (Doris Kenyon) sees something besides the juvenile delinquent everybody else perceives him to be. She convinces her cynical store owner husband (Spencer Tracy) to give him an after school job but a fight with a local bully loses him the job.
Bespeckled pal Raymond Borzage and Borzage's grandmother Beryl Mercer give Conlon support, and when the two buddies must find medicine for the ailing Mercer, he ends up in court again. Tracy is horrified when his wife agrees to take him in, certain that he's going to turn their world upside down. Judge Bellamy, after fining Tracy several times for contempt, orders Borzage and Conlon to remain separated, and when Conlon tries to keep a distance, Borzage pelts him with mud in one of the film's more disturbing scenes. This leads to a tragic plot turn and false accusations made which hopefully will open up a few character's eyes.
While Spencer Tracy is top-billed, it is Tommy Conlon who dominates the film with his very complex characterization. Tracy's character spends much of the film griping, so he's not really likable here, even though he is the one who is trying to remain on the right side of the law. He's in fact a real bigot, and the prototype for the respected citizen who lives within the law but won't do anything for his fellow man beyond selling them the goods they need to survive. Kenyon sits back and watches him stick his foot in his mouth, all the while secretly laughing at him as judge Bellamy (in a compassionate performance) keeps fining him for contempt.
Beryl Mercer is very touching as the loving elderly woman who treats every kid in the area as if they were her own. Sara Padden is appropriately cold as Conlon's hateful aunt, and even though she rejects him, you can understand her reasoning behind it. She's cold simply because she's tired and aware that nothing she can do could change Conlon, even though all it takes is somebody like the sweet Doris Keyon to turn his life around. Anne Shirley (billed as Dawn O'Day) is barely recognizable as the young object of Conlon's affections, while Jane Darwell has a memorable small role as the frazzled teacher. Spec O'Donnell is very realistic as the bully Conlon must fight, while young Borzage (son of the film's director, Frank Borzage) is quite touching. Louise Beavers rounds out the cast as Tracy's maid, pretty much not saying a word, yet being totally recognizable.
This is the type of film that really makes you think about the plight of the seemingly hopeless. Talks of "Black Medicine" (actually a symbol of death) show the coldness of the medical profession towards the poor of this community (a reference simply says that they don't want the patients who can't pay become the responsibility of the state) and is quite shocking. Not as well known as "Wild Boys of the Road" or the early "Dead End" kid films, this is certainly worthy of becoming more famous, making this a great find and a delightfully obscure classic.
"Young America" focuses on the youth of America, not America's early days. Tommy Conlon is a trouble-making kid who has the reputation of being the worst boy in town. His trouble-making actually seems pretty tame in comparison to what has come afterwords, but a cold-hearted aunt blames his behavior for influencing her own children. Brought before judge Ralph Bellamy, Conlon is accused of stealing a car which he claims he moved to get away from a fire hydrant. Certainly, Conlon is definitely heading down the wrong path, but a compassionate do-gooder (Doris Kenyon) sees something besides the juvenile delinquent everybody else perceives him to be. She convinces her cynical store owner husband (Spencer Tracy) to give him an after school job but a fight with a local bully loses him the job.
Bespeckled pal Raymond Borzage and Borzage's grandmother Beryl Mercer give Conlon support, and when the two buddies must find medicine for the ailing Mercer, he ends up in court again. Tracy is horrified when his wife agrees to take him in, certain that he's going to turn their world upside down. Judge Bellamy, after fining Tracy several times for contempt, orders Borzage and Conlon to remain separated, and when Conlon tries to keep a distance, Borzage pelts him with mud in one of the film's more disturbing scenes. This leads to a tragic plot turn and false accusations made which hopefully will open up a few character's eyes.
While Spencer Tracy is top-billed, it is Tommy Conlon who dominates the film with his very complex characterization. Tracy's character spends much of the film griping, so he's not really likable here, even though he is the one who is trying to remain on the right side of the law. He's in fact a real bigot, and the prototype for the respected citizen who lives within the law but won't do anything for his fellow man beyond selling them the goods they need to survive. Kenyon sits back and watches him stick his foot in his mouth, all the while secretly laughing at him as judge Bellamy (in a compassionate performance) keeps fining him for contempt.
Beryl Mercer is very touching as the loving elderly woman who treats every kid in the area as if they were her own. Sara Padden is appropriately cold as Conlon's hateful aunt, and even though she rejects him, you can understand her reasoning behind it. She's cold simply because she's tired and aware that nothing she can do could change Conlon, even though all it takes is somebody like the sweet Doris Keyon to turn his life around. Anne Shirley (billed as Dawn O'Day) is barely recognizable as the young object of Conlon's affections, while Jane Darwell has a memorable small role as the frazzled teacher. Spec O'Donnell is very realistic as the bully Conlon must fight, while young Borzage (son of the film's director, Frank Borzage) is quite touching. Louise Beavers rounds out the cast as Tracy's maid, pretty much not saying a word, yet being totally recognizable.
This is the type of film that really makes you think about the plight of the seemingly hopeless. Talks of "Black Medicine" (actually a symbol of death) show the coldness of the medical profession towards the poor of this community (a reference simply says that they don't want the patients who can't pay become the responsibility of the state) and is quite shocking. Not as well known as "Wild Boys of the Road" or the early "Dead End" kid films, this is certainly worthy of becoming more famous, making this a great find and a delightfully obscure classic.