Judge Hardy and Son

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.