Love Laughs at Andy Hardy

...and the Hardys seem as uncomfortable and out of place in 1946 as MGM did, with the changing times that they just couldn't seem to quite tap into from this point forward.

Andy comes home to Carvel after two years as a soldier, and he seems to have matrimony on his mind, specifically his college girlfriend Kay. They didn't call it the baby boom for nothing. There are several endearing and humorous moments, but something is just missing from the old formula. For one thing, everybody is noticeably older. Mickey Rooney is obviously a man in his mid twenties, and Lewis Stone is obviously elderly. They would look rather silly having their old man to man talks at this point, and to a large degree the film avoids that. It does tap into a conversation lots of returning soldiers were probably having with themselves - whether or not to take advantage of that GI bill and finish a college education, or go out into the world without it and start trying to make a mark right now, which everybody had usually done up to this point in time.

One rather humorous incident - Andy is fixed up on a date with a girl who is a foot taller than he is. How did this happen? The guy who did the fixing had them both in the swimming pool at the time, thus avoiding the issue of the height difference.

This will be the last Hardy family film for 12 years, so this is pretty much an end to the franchise.

Andy arrives back in Carvel, tumbling off the back of an army truck in front of his folks. The family reunion in the middle of the main street, blocking the traffic flow to the amusement of all concerned, is the best scene in the movie. Andy's been separated (demobbed) from the Army and has but one thought on his mind, proposing to Kay Wilson who he'd met at college.

'Kay Wilson' is played by the (in this movie) maternal Bonita Granville who unfortunately doesn't sing for once. Mickey Rooney looks appropriately much older than his previous movie (he has, after all, come back from service in the Army) in the series but still manages to play the irrepressible 'Andy' as only he could. Lewis Stone and Fay Holden as his folks are wonderful as usual, despite the often insipid script. That's the main problem with this movie. The script is at times puerile and it's only the mostly excellent cast which makes it worth watching. We miss 'Marion' and Polly', while the charming Sarah Haden as 'Aunt Milly' is given few lines. She might as well not be there. Marion is apparently working in New York (it is she who wires the family that Andy is on his way) while we, so far as I noticed, are given no reason for Polly's absence, despite her father's presence.

The standout guest in this movie is the stunning Dorothy Ford as 'Coffy Smith'. Not only is Dorothy tall at 6ft 4", she is both graceful and beautiful. Though as before (and after), the script remains puerile, but the cast do their best to rise above it.

The high point in most Hardy movies - those without Judy Garland, anyway - is the father and son or rather 'man to man' talk between Lewis Stone and Mickey Rooney. In this movie it's on the subject of Andy either going to college and following in the Judge's footsteps, or running off to South America to make his fortune. Unfortunately, the problematic script results in an awkward, almost embarrassing scene between the two. Lewis Stone doesn't look at all well; he was in his late 60s at the time but looks much older (he died in 1953, chasing vandals off his property). Lina Romay as 'Isolbel' sings on two occasions but she's an unsatisfactory substitute for Polly. Hal Hackett as 'Duke' is unimpressive but again, maybe that's the fault of that script.

Overall, this is a necessary part of the Hardy series but it deserved a much better script. Despite this reservation, I can still recommend it.

My copy came as one half of a double bill region 4 DVD (with 'The Perils of Pauline'). It was made from an extremely poor print and should be avoided at all costs.

Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) is home from the war. His mind is mostly stuck on marriage and his college girlfriend Kay Wilson (Bonita Granville). Misunderstandings, chaos, and heartbreak ensue.

Andy is just not Andy when he is focused on one girl. There is something off about this one. This temporarily ends the series until 12 years later when the final movie fails to revive the franchise. I never really liked Kay. She always seems to have one foot out the door. In the previous movie, I would be perfectly happy with Wilde twins. There is a fun gag with a very tall girl. Otherwise, this is fairly blah.

LOVE LAUGHS AT ANDY HARDY (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1946), "the special Academy Award series," directed by Willis Goldbeck, returns Mickey Rooney to his title role after a two year absence. After serving in the Army during World War II, Rooney returned to Hollywood, to his home studio of MGM, and to the "Judge Hardy's Family/Andy Hardy" series. There have been some changes since its last episode, ANDY HARDY'S DOUBLE TROUBLE (1944). This was the first in the series where Mickey Rooney's name heads the cast, as opposed to Lewis Stone's name coming first over Rooney's during the past thirteen episodes. This was the only film in the series to mention anything regarding current events of World War II, since Andy Hardy, like Mickey Rooney, has also served in the armed forces. Cecilia Parker as Andy's older sister, Marion, and Ann Rutherford as Andy's girlfriend, Polly Benedict, are not present. Marion is mentioned through both telegram and conversation, while Polly's name comes up from her on-screen father, George Benedict (Addison Richards). Oddly enough, Sara Haden as Andy's Aunt Milly, is billed third in the credits rather than Fay Holden, as the mother, whose name is usually listed higher rather than sixth billed. Bonita Granville, who appeared in the last (and longest) segment of the series, returns as Kay Wilson. Not to be confused with its similar-sounding title to LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY (1938) that featured Judy Garland, LOVE LAUGHS AT ANDY HARDY gets one last look at Judge Hardy's family and what they've been doing since they were last seen in movie theaters in 1944.

World War II is over. It's New Years Day, January 1, and the Hardy family, including Judge James K. Hardy (Lewis Stone), wife Emily (Fay Holden) and Aunt Milly Forrest (Sara Haden) celebrate welcoming their son, Andy (Mickey Rooney) home to Carvel after two years in the Armed forces. Now a ex-soldier and a mature young man, Andy plans resuming his studies at Wainwright College to become a lawyer. The Hardy's soon discover Andy's sole interest happens to be on Kay Wilson (Bonita Granville), the girl he earlier met at Wainwright and intends to marry. Before he can pop the question to Kay, Andy is first introduced to Spanish singer, Isobel Gonzalez (Lina Romay), a visiting friend of Polly Benedict, and later escorts a very tall six-foot model, Coffy Smith (Dorothy Ford) to a Frosh dance, much to his embarrassment since his parents happen to be there during their Alumni Homecoming Week. As Andy finally gets together with Kay, he learns she also has some news for him as well. Will it be up to Judge Hardy or Andy to decide what to do from there?

In the supporting cast are Dick Simmons (Dane Kitteridge, Kay's 35 year-old guardian); Clinton Sundberg (The Haberdashery Proprietor); Geraldine Wall (Miss Geeves); Charles Peck (Tommy Gilchrist); Hal Hackett (Duke Johnson); and Lucien Littlefield (The Telegraph Clerk). Other than Addison Richards' last appearance in the series, it also became Lewis Stone's 13th and final role as Judge Hardy and his "man-to-man" talks with his son. Songs included are: "Beneath the Border" (sung by Lina Romay in Spanish and English during the Carvel Country Club dance); "Hail to Wainwright" by Earl Brent and David Snell; and "I Like You Very Much" (sung by Lina Romay).

With changing tastes of movie entertainment during the post World War II era, this new edition to the "Andy Hardy" series, with some updated themes, seemed outdated and no longer popular for audience tastes. By 1947, MGM ended its franchise with lesser editions to its once popular "Maisie," "Thin Man" and "Doctor Kildare/Gillespie" series. While this could have been the very last movie audiences would get to see the Hardy family, there was a reunion edition produced a decade later titled ANDY HARDY COMES HOME (MGM, 1958), returning series regulars as Fay Holden, Cecilia Parker and Sara Haden (Lewis Stone has since died in 1953 and not recast). While this seemed like a good idea, the 16th installment became the least known and successful of them all. It really wasn't that bad, but production looked more like an extended television episode than a motion picture. Flashback sequences from previous installments were the film's few highlights. The Hardy off-springs weren't likable, but most of all, without Lewis Stone, the magic was completely gone. At least LOVE LAUGHS AT ANDY HARDY still offered amusing moments during its 94 minutes, including Andy getting locked out of the house while trying to take a bath; Andy's jitterbug dance with the giant girl, Coffy; etc., otherwise, the series magic was slowly fading. It was natural that Mickey Rooney was ready to move on to stronger and better parts. At least his boxing film, KILLER McCOY (1947) was a step in the right direction, but not enough to elevate his star status to what it once was a few short years ago.

Of all the "Andy Hardy" entries, LOVE LAUGHS AT ANDY HARDY was the only one in the franchise to fall into public domain. It's availability on both video cassette and DVD are usually presented in second generation copies. The best and complete prints to this edition are found on cable television's Turner Classic Movies. (**1/2)

This one one of the best entrys to the series. The acting was great as usual. Mickey Rooney was his normal, terrific self. Mickey Rooney was simply the best actor that ever lived. The man could do it all. This film was highly entertaining and terrific.!!! If you love the Andy Hardy series you will find it hilarious when he danced with a girl almost twice his size. I truly don't understand why some people have given this film a bad comment. There is simply nothing but great acting and a very very funny story! People who love Mickey Rooney should also check out his films Strike Up The Band, Boys Town, Bill, Stablemates,The Human Comedy. The man was simply amazing! I truly enjoy this entry to the Andy Hardy series. Buy it today! You will not be disappointed!