The influence of the Church in films of the thirties and forties was evident in ones featuring priests working against juvenile delinquency, like Spencer Tracy in Boystown in 1938. Pat O’Brien did likewise as Fr Jerry Connolly in Angels with Dirty Faces, also in 1938. The film was a huge success, exploring the issue of…
Priests unexpectedly fighting crime in films
James Cagney and Pat O’Brien in Angels With Dirty Faces trailer.

Aubrey Malone