You're Only Young Once

The Series Film in the Hollywood of the 1930s through 1950s was the equivalent to a long running T.V. show. The same cast and characters came back on a regular basis to entertain the viewing audience. Or in case of Radio the listening one (1). All the studios at that time had some sort of series. PARAMOUNT the long running HOPALONG CASSIDY starring William Boyd. UNIVERSAL in the 40s featured Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as SHERLOCK HOLMES and DOCTOR WATSON. WARNER BROTHERS (WB) would display Warren William (primarily) as PERRY MASON or a variety of actors as PHILO VANCE as well as TORCHY BLANE with Glenda Farrell. COLUMBIA, ELLERY QUEEN and 20th CENTURY FOX, CHARLIE CHAN. All minor studios would feature WESTERN series and lets not forget the seemingly endless adventures of what became THE BOWERY BOYS! There were many more, but it was at METRO GOLDWYN MAYER (M.G.M.) that three (3) of the most popular series were created. After the death of its creative genius IRVING THALBERG (09/14/1936) LOUIS B. MAYER, head of the studio quickly acted to maintain the production schedule and to continue the high profitability that the NEW YORK office expected. Series production was part of his solution. DOCTOR KILDARE featuring Lew Aryes and Lionel Barrymore which segued to the DOCTOR GILLESPIE series. MAISIE with the attractive and quick tongued Ann Southern and best remembered ANDREW 'Andy' HARDY. The longest of the M.G.M. series with sixteen (16) films.

The ANDY HARDY series started modestly enough with a pilot (just like they do today) called A FAMILY AFFAIR (1937) with Lionel Barrymore heading the cast as JUDGE JAMES K. HARDY, Spring Byington as MRS EMILY HARDY and Mickey Rooney, ANDY. With the success of this one the series really got going with YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG ONCE (1937). Barrymores physical condition was not up to this series and Byington was to much in demand, so adjustments had to be made. Cast changes were Lewis Stone as JUDGE HARDY, Fay Holden; MRS. HARDY, coming back Mickey Rooney; ANDY as well as Cecilia Parker; MARIAN, Sara Haden; AUNT MILLIE FORREST with Ann Rutherford; POLLY BENEDICT. The series would also feature many character actors under contract to M.G.M. as well as up and comers. Some who would go on to greater things such as Donna Reed and Lana Turner and others would enter oblivion like Helen Gilbert.

The sixteen (16) films can be divided into two (2) parts, the first eight (8) and the second eight (8) ending with ANDY HARDY COMES HOME (1958) reuniting the cast except the late Lewis Stone (09/12/1953). The first eight (8) are of better quality and more balanced with each of the cast getting its fair share of screen time and having their problems addressed. Starting with ANDY HARDY MEETS DEBUTANTE (1940) the focus became ANDY & JUDGE HARDY with the rest there just to fill in. Sort of what happened to LOST IN SPACE (T.V.1965-1968) when after the first season it became the DR. SMITH, ROBOT & WILL show.

The rating we gave, IMDb value of six (6)****** is a good overview of the entire series. It being better then average but not classics in any sense of the word but well worth watching. Our advice is to watch series films like this one (1) at time and no more then three (3) in sequence. When you make a marathon of these series their shortcoming become all to obvious and irritating. A note to those message board whiners, remakes and sequels are a long time reality of this industry so stop whining about it and move on.

The Hardy family is going on a summer vacation to Catalina Island in California. Each member has their own misadventures. Father is obsessed with catching a swordfish. Marian falls for a married local. Andy is taken with a fast girl. The Judge is told that his business deal threatens everything including their home.

There is some recasting. Lewis Stone is a capable old actor. Luckily for the series, Mickey Rooney does return. This is all wholesome lessons about bad romances. It's a lot of father knows best. It's light comedy and family friendly. It's another era. It must also be a good time for Catalina tourism.

You're Only Young Once is the second film in the Hardy family series from MGM, the first to introduce Lewis Stone, Fay Holden, and Ann Rutherford in their roles in the series and the last to not mention the word 'Hardy' in the title. Quite a lot of precedents I must say.

Lewis Stone has decided the family needs a vacation and he's fixed Catalina Island as the destination of his choice because he wants to get in some deep sea fishing after swordfish. The others all have different ideas, but Stone not a dictatorial tyrant by any means, he brings them all around with charm and sweet reason.

It wouldn't be a Hardy family movie without some young romance. Mickey Rooney falls Eleanor Lynn, child of a several times married woman who is in Reno shedding husband number 4 and leaving Lynn to her own devices. And Cecilia Parker finds handsome lifeguard Ted Pearson on the beach and he's already married.

In the meantime back at the ranch known as their hometown of Carvel, the Judge has co-signed a loan for his friend Frank Craven which has come due and the Hardy home is in jeopardy. But Stone isn't a judge for nothing and the trip to Catalina actually gives him the idea on how to save the situation. For that you watch the movie.

The death of Mickey Rooney has removed the last survivor of this and a whole slew of films. Mickey is at once, brash, eager, charming, a bit naive and a devoted son. It's probably how all his fans remember him.

The Hardy series with its family revamped and set for the duration gives us a good one in You're Only Young Once.

You're Only Young Once (1937)

*** (out of 4)

Second film in MGM's Hardy series has Judge (Lewis Stone) taking the family to Catalina Island where his daughter gets involved with a marriage man and Andy (Mickey Rooney) gets involved with a girl (Eleanor Lynn) who certainly doesn't have his best interest in mind. Judge tries to settle their problems while trying to catch a swordfish but not knowing the trouble that awaits them when they get home. Even though this was the second film in the series, in many ways it was the first as this is when Lewis joined the cast and it's rather amazing at how wonderful he was for the part. I love Lionel Barrymore as an actor but he simply wasn't right for the role so it's good that he left the series after A FAMILY AFFAIR and that Stone stepped in. The way he plays Judge as the wise, stern but fair father is certainly one of the most memorable roles from this era in Hollywood. Sure, the film and the subject matters are all way too "friendly" and "clean" but that just adds to the fun nature of the messages. As expected, Rooney is certainly full of energy and he makes for some more good times as his relationship with Lynn is quite fresh and rather romantic. If her birth date on IMDb is correct, then Lynn was probably around 11-years-old when she filmed this, which is somewhat troubling in a few of the scenes where she's smoking and pretty much throwing herself on Andy. I'm not sure what her real age is but she certainly looked and acted much older here. Cecilia Parker, Fay Holden, Frank Craven and Ann Rutherford are all good in their roles as well. I thought the film, naturally, went for a lot of laughs but the highlights for me were the more dramatic moments. I thought the moments where Judge has to make the decision to educate his children without being too preachy was handled extremely well and I thought the moments were quite tender and refreshing. There's a sequence where his daughter comes in drunk after Judge has learned that the man is married and the way this scene plays out is certainly the best part of the film. I thought the final ten-minutes were somewhat of a drag when the family left the island but this is still a pleasant little film that fans will enjoy.

Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone) takes his family on vacation to Catalina Island where his kids have romantic troubles. Andy's fallen for a more experienced girl (Eleanor Lynn) and Marian's gotten involved with a married lifeguard. Looks like it's time for some of those patented Judge Hardy talks (a series staple). There's also a plot continuing from the last film that sees the Hardys in danger of losing everything. This series had pretty good continuity for the time and was good about tying the events of one film into the next.

The cast is excellent, with Lewis Stone, Fay Holden, and the adorable Ann Rutherford joining the series in this sophomore entry. Eleanor Lynn is a pretty and lively bad influence on poor Andy. A fine movie in a terrific series with healthy doses of comedy along with the drama. There's a touching scene late in the film where Fay Holden talks about the loss of their first child on the same night she was born. A beautiful scene that exemplifies the kind of heartfelt drama this series did so well.