You're Only Young Once

YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG ONCE (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1937), directed by George B. Seitz, marks the second installment to what was initially noted to be the "Judge Hardy's Family" series. With a new cast replacing its original stars from the introduction film, A FAMILY AFFAIR (MGM, 1937): Lionel Barrymore by Lewis Stone (Judge Hardy); Spring Byington by Fay Holden (Emily Hardy); Margaret Marquis by Ann Rutherford (Polly Benedict); and Charley Grapewin by Frank Craven (Frank Redman), only Cecilia Parker, Mickey Rooney and Sara Haden have become the only hold-outs resuming their original roles. As for the Wayne Trent character, Eric Linden's picture is seen only through a photograph, while the eldest Hardy daughter, Joan (Julie Hayden) was dropped entirely. Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy has more to do here than the previous entry, while Cecilia Parker's older sister, MariOn becomes MariAn. Selmer Jackson playing Hoyt Wells returns for the second and last time, while the Frank Redman character, originally played by Charley Grapewin, would be played for the only time by Frank Craven this time around.

For its plot summary, the story begins with a courtroom session with Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone) listening to his latest case. After the case is called to rest, Judge Hardy comes to a conclusion of taking his first vacation away from the bench in eleven years. He takes his wife, Emily (Fay Holden), Aunt Milly (Sara Haden) and their two teenage children, Marian (Cecilia Parker) and Andy (Mickey Rooney) off to Catalina Island where the judge intends on doing some fishing. While there, Marian (Cecilia Parker), still in love with Wayne Trent, finds romance with a young lifeguard named Bill Rand (Ted Pearson), unaware to the fact that she cannot marry him. Andrew (Mickey Rooney), the youngest and only son, becomes acquainted with Josephine "Jerry" Lane (Eleanor Lynn), regardless of the fact that he is now in serious with Polly Benedict (Ann Rutherford), his girl back home in Carvel. Because Josie comes from a respectable family of high society, Andy becomes somebody he isn't in order to make a good impression with her. While the family goes through their personal problems, Judge Hardy (after catching a marlin swordfish, a 280-pound fish which goes in the record book dated August 21, 1937), finds some unexpected news awaiting upon their return home. Looks for Charles Judels (Captain Swenson); Erville Alderson (Dave, the Bailiff); Robert Wayne (Ed Carper); Norman Phillips (Harold "Fish" Face); and Spec O'Donnell in supporting roles.

Although forgotten and overlooked among what was to become known as "The Andy Hardy Series," YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG ONCE was successful enough to produce more installments. Many situations provided are typical but somewhat dull in the proceedings. Lewis Stone makes a satisfactory head of the family, though his advanced age could be overlooked as appearing more grandfatherly than a father figure. Spring Byington would have made a great Mrs. Hardy, but was committed to another series, the now forgotten "Jones Family" (1936-1940) over at 20th Century-Fox Studios.

Never distributed to video cassette, this 79-minute restored edition of YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG ONCE (with the conclusion of Lewis Stone as Judge Hardy talking directly to the viewers thanking them for watching and to look forward for more in later installments in the "Judge Hardy's Family" series), can be found on the Turner Classic Movies cable channel. Next installment: JUDGE HARDY'S CHILDREN (1938). (**1/2)

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.

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 Andy Hardy film but it's the first one with the entire cast we're familiar with and enjoyed in subsequent films. The first film, "A Family Affair" starred Lionel Barrymore as Judge Hardy and Spring Byington as his wife. Apart from that the two kids and the aunt were the same in both films. According to IMDb, Barrymore's advanced arthritis restricted his acting too much though there's no indication by Byington didn't return as Mrs. Hardy.

Most of this film takes place during the Hardy family's vacation on Catalina Island in California. The Judge is eager to go in order to go sailfishing. As for Andy and his sister, Marian, they both end up having vacation romances--Andy with a spoiled rich girl who is a bad egg and Marian with an even worse choice. However, as usual, the Judge does NOT jump in and try to split up these budding romances but instead uses the usual Hardy finesse...proving once again what a swell father he was...one of the best in film history.

Like most of the films in the series, this one is quite enjoyable and, as usual, Andy a bit too big for his britches. Nice family entertainment and well worth your time.

By the way, this is the only film in the series where I recall that there was an epilogue. At the end, Lewis Stone (the Judge) talks to the audience to announce that there will be several subsequent films in the series.

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.