Judge Hardy and Son

The film opens with Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone) talking to an older couple, the Volduzzis, that come to his chambers asking about a document that says their home will be foreclosed on. The husband is out of work and they do not have the money to pay the bank. The judge asks if they have any children who could help them out, and the woman answers with a suspicious "no". In other words, Judge Hardy thinks they do have a son or daughter, but don't want to admit it.

Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) has a car in bad need of repair and no money with which to fix it. The Judge tells Andy he'll give him five dollars if he can find out if the older couple has children and locate them. In the process of doing this Andy gets mixed up with three girls who each cause Andy his share of trouble. And then Andy's mother becomes seriously ill and he finds out what real worries are.

By this time the two stars of the Hardy family series are Lewis Stone and Mickey Rooney and the focus is usually their strong father/son relationship via their father/son talks over some mess Andy has gotten himself into. I found this entry to be one of the best of the series as it has some compelling drama balanced with the comedy.

The judge does have the patience of a saint when it comes to his son, who gets into terrible trouble with money when he doesn't read the entire flyer talking about a cash prize for the best essay about Alexander Hamilton, and goes out and spends the prize money ahead of time. This one did bring up a couple of issues about the law. The first is - Why is it always said that debtors could be put in jail in these 30s films when debtors prison was outlawed in the United States in 1833? The second legal issue is that of filial responsibility laws - the obligation to pay the debts of your parents. Prior to Medicare and Social Security these laws were on the books in many states but started being phased out in the 1960s or at least not enforced.

If you like the Hardy family series of films from MGM, I think you'll really like this one too. It's very much cinematic comfort food.

Eighth entry in the Hardy series has the Judge (Lewis Stone) assigning Andy to help locate the daughter of an immigrant couple in danger of losing their home. Meanwhile Andy is having his usual girl and money troubles that will inevitably lead to one of the patented man-to-man talks with his dad. In the middle of all of this, the movie takes a somber turn as Mrs. Hardy comes down with pneumonia and battles for her life.

Not one of the stronger Hardy films but still enjoyable. The mother illness subplot that takes over the middle is out of place with the rest of the movie. It feels very much like they needed something dramatic so they threw that in there. Still, the Hardy series was always top quality so they manage to make it all fit together as best they can. The cast of regulars is terrific, as usual. Always love seeing Ann Rutherford's adorable Polly Benedict. Henry Hull has a bit part as a doctor and Maria Ouspenskaya a small role as part of the immigrant couple that sets the story into motion. But the scene stealer of the movie has to be June Preisser as Euphrasia 'Phrasie Daisy' Clark, her first of two Andy Hardy appearances. I defy anybody to suppress a smile when she says "Phrasie Daisy loves Andy Pandy."

I enjoy the Andy Hardy pictures and they certainly were popular. However, I must admit that enjoying them and seeing them as excellent pictures is not the same thing. The plots are often very formulaic and even a bit silly...yet, you like the characters...well, that is except for the god-awful Euphrasia!

The film begins in very typical fashion--Andy (Mickey Rooney) is in need of money. His broken down jalopy needs new tires and he wants to take Polly (Ann Rutherford) to the dance. When he learns about an essay contest with a $50 prize, that idiot Andy just ASSUMES he'll win and commits the $50 to a variety of merchants in town. Later, after finally getting down to reading the rules, he realizes he's not eligible for the prize money! What is poor Andy to do??? Well, he comes up with a scheme to help a couple girls possibly win the contest so he can split the money with them. He also learns that his father, the Judge (Lewis Stone), is looking for someone and Andy agrees to help...if he gets paid for the work. Will all this work out as planned? And where does the hellishly annoying Euphrasia Clark come into all this?! Oh, and by the way, Andy's mother almost dies...

As usual, there's an ending where everything works out, several scenes where the incredibly wise Judge Hardy dispense great wisdom and women inexplicably chase Andy about as if he's Tyrone Power! Still, despite all this silliness, it's fun and quite enjoyable.

While there is a surprisingly serious plot point, this film has lots of laughs with Andy and solid family togetherness sprinkled throughout. It is an interesting glimpse at the Hollywood version anyway of the American family in a time of crises. Prayer, love for siblings, children and parents and the visiting family doctor and home nurse when health care was a touch less expensive and a touch more personal all play a part. This is one of the more enjoyable of the Hardy family films especially the ones without Judy Garland.

"Judge Hardy and Son" is the eighth in the series of Andy Hardy films. It contains Andy's usual high school hi-jinks, his usual money problems, and his usual girl troubles.

It is important to remember that the studio was cranking out these Andy Hardy films as fast as they could, wanting to capitalize on Mickey Rooney's popularity. As a result, some of the scripts were repetitive, if not uninspired.

In this installment, there are a couple of serious subjects, especially a threatening illness that befalls Andy's mother. Judge Hardy offers some sober observations about faith and the proper appreciation of life itself. Then the comedy continues.

The film has a hasty resolution, as with an episode in a series. Because the next Andy Hardy film would follow shortly, this is understandable and, to some extent, excusable. But the overall story--except for the section about the illness--lacks depth. Even the sections devoted to Andy's love interests feel shortchanged.