Segretaria privata di Andy Hardy

Before I review the movie proper, since It's a Wonderful Life is my favorite movie, I had to mention a player from there making his film debut in this one: Todd Karns who plays a Land family member named Harry-the same first name he would eventually have in IAWL when he became a Bailey. He has a sis named Kathryn-the same first name as the lady playing her, Kathryn Grayson-also making her debut. Andy tries to help them, as the family is poor, with bettering their lives but he makes some mistakes along the way. Oh, and Andy and girlfriend Polly are supposed to graduate in this one though because of what happens to Andy involving his teacher-his own Aunt Milly, that may not happen to him. Let's just say there's some things she won't do and leave it at that. Ms. Grayson does some nice opera tunes but she's really entertaining when she also does a Cole Porter song! There's more drama than laughs here but there's still plenty to enjoy in Andy Hardy's Private Secretary. P.S. This was the first time in the beginning credits of this series when the names of the actors weren't printed in front of their portrait of-from left to right-Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Fay Holden, and Cecilia Parker. That was because Ms. Parker was absent here, for some reason.

Andy Hardy's Private Secretary (1941)

** (out of 4)

Drawn-out tenth entry in the series finds Andy Hardy (Mickey Rourke) messing up some school banking records so his father (Lewis Stone) recommends him hire a poor girl (Kathryn Grayson) as his secretary. With Andy having so many things going on his loses site of some of his school work and ends up failing his final test, which means he won't be able to graduate. While all of this is going on the Judge is trying to get the poor girl's father a job but Andy manages to mess this up as well. This tenth entry doesn't have the greatest reputation but I actually enjoyed it less than many other reviews I've read. I don't think it's a horrible movie but at the same time it's missing the laughs and drama that the best films in the series have going for them. I think the biggest problem is the screenplay, which just seemed to have too much going on and the issues on hand just seem extremely forced on the viewer. The film starts off with Andy getting a lesson on what it's like to be poor but of course the Judge steps in and soon the poor family are on the path of a great life. Then, out of no where, Andy messes up and costs the family the job. We then flash towards another drama as Aunt Milly (Sara Haden) is forced to ruin Andy's future and life by failing him. I'm sure many might be willing to believe that the Aunt would fail Andy but I must admit that I really, really hated this entire subplot. I'm sure the film was trying to show the Aunt as an honest person by failing her own nephew but I still had a very hard time believing that she would do this. It's clear from previous films that the family is letting her stay with them and not for a second did I believe that she'd be willing to ruin her nephew's entire life over one single test. I also didn't care too much for the plot involving the father's search for a job because it seems the screenplay was just using it as a way to get Rooney and Grayson together. As you'd expect, Rooney and Stone are at the top of their game here as both deliver fine performances. Ian Hunter nearly steals the film as the girl's brother who is fighting for a scholarship and we get Fay Holden in one scene as mother. Ann Rutherford is fun as usual as the one and only Polly. ANDY HARDY'S PRIVATE SECRETARY isn't a really bad movie but at the same time I've come to expect more than what's offered up here.

In this 10th installment of the Andy Hardy series, Andy is class president and he's spending a lot of time with the class secretary, Kathryn (Kathryn Grayson). Naturally, Polly (Ann Rutherford) is jealous, but that's the least of the problems--it seems that Kathryn and her brother are going to be leaving the country just days before their graduation! So, Andy tries to fix things....and totally mucks it up! Additionally, he and the gang work on a school play, his car falls apart while Judge Hardy is driving it and Andy MIGHT not be graduating after all. As far as graduating goes, it IS about time as Mickey Rooney was 21 when he made this film*! If he doesn't graduate soon, he'll soon be collecting social security while still a student! None of it is really the least bit earth-shaking--just the usual family stuff you'll see in an Andy Hardy film. It's generally pleasant and entertaining with one exception. While Kathryn Grayson was lovely and enjoyable in the film, the studio's insistence of having her sing an operatic piece 46 minutes into the film was just dreadful--the same with the song at the 87 minute mark. Some in the audience might have liked it but I suspect most used that time to either take a brief nap or get some popcorn!

*The not graduating angle never made a lot of sense. Andy's supposed to be one of the top kids in his class yet did badly on his final English exam and failed. Odd--especially since Andy thought he was going to get an award for scholarship! Can Andy be this insane?! It just didn't seem realistic.

After too many trips to New York and Chicago, staying home in Carville was a pleasant experience. There are touches of the sappiness of It's a Wonderful Life which extends to the casting. Watching in December probably helped the enjoyment level. With both the romance and Andy Hardy's overacting kept to a minimum the film resembles a simple sitcom. fans of a simpler era and a few smiles will enjoy this one.

In this Andy Hardy installment, Andy is less girl crazy than in others. That is probably due to a shift in focus to Kathryn Grayson, making her noteworthy debut as Andy's classmate. It is understandable that MGM would want their newest surefire star to make a big splash in a vehicle that would guarantee plenty of viewers.

Judge Hardy teaches Andy lessons in charity and citizenship while assisting a family fallen on difficult times. Andy's classmates-Kathryn and Harry Land-are given roles in the high school graduation festivities as part of this project. Naturally, we get to hear Kathryn's amazing singing voice.

Andy, who is wrapped up in every aspect of the ceremonies, spreads himself too thin, but Kathryn becomes his private secretary, helping him with his organization. Still, he manages to bungle important details, causing consternation and some major problems.

Miss Grayson holds her own, acting-wise, with the rest of the cast, and her singing voice is a singular joy that surely must have wowed audiences in 1941. Still, she lacks the effervescence of another singing starlet who graces Andy Hardy films-Judy Garland, who would match Mickey Rooney's energy and hep-cred in various film pairings.