By Ben Fentriss


Long before Christian Bale was the vigilante Batman patrolling the seedy streets of Gotham, he was Jack ‘Cowboy’ Kelly, the leader of a ragtag crew of newspaper boys, fighting the corrupt newspaper tycoons, Pulitzer and Hearst. The film, which garnered little box office success, secured itself as a cult film for Latter-day Saints through its wholesome musical numbers, romantic leads, and depiction of the underdog fighting for the American dream.

The newsies are a group of young adolescents barely scraping by while corporate men are making a fortune off of their hard work. The film, which showcases their fight for more pay and rights, is appealing to the Latter-day Saint culture – a culture that contains its fair share of oppression. In the earlier days of the church, honest men, including leaders such as Joseph Smith, barely got by financially even through hard work. Those in the position to provide fair pay and equal rights, refused to, and the Latter-day Saints were constantly moving after neglect and poor treatment. Despite this poor treatment, Latter-day Saints have always remained loyal to the American dream. The newsies are identifiable because they don’t throw in the towel; instead, they demand their part of the American ideal.

It doesn’t hurt that the newsies fight for their rights through song and dance numbers. Latter-day Saints have always been keen to song and dance, whether its acted out through ward talent shows or through their enthusiasm over other wholesome musicals, such as the High School Musical series. Latter-day Saints love Disney and the feeling is mutual; many interns and performers at Disney are Latter-day Saints with Disney doing extensive recruiting at church school Brigham Young University. There is something appealing to the musically talented Latter-day Saints about a crowd rallying people together through mutual song and dance.

Latter-day Saints also love a great romantic tale. Marriage and family are valued greatly, and a film that depicts wholesome love and family life are ideal. Not only does Jack find warmth from the tight-knit Jacobs family, who lend a hand to him in times of need; Jack and his newsies are also as close as brothers. Jack’s courting of Sarah Jacobs is not only romantic, but exciting; he defends her virtue in one scene by physically standing up for her. And in the end, Jack learns that family and friends are where happiness and contentment are found.

Perhaps the happy ending is the last perfect ingredient – Latter-day Saints are optimists. Governor Teddy Roosevelt, who saves the day and gives the newsies the respect they deserve, is fitting for a patriotic people. This shows that the American government works to protect its people, and that the American dream is a real possibility. It details how an oppressed people can receive equal rights through honest and legal means. The film might seem unrealistic or silly to outsiders, but for Latter-day Saints, it’s the kind of fantasy that can come true.