Sat 21 Aug 2021
Archived Movie Review: LOVE LAUGHS AT ANDY HARDY (1946).
Posted by Steve under Films: Comedy/Musicals , Reviews[8] Comments
LOVE LAUGHS AT ANDY HARDY. MGM, 1946. Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Fay Holden, Bonita Granville, Lina Romay, Sara Haden, Dorothy Ford. Director: Willis Goldbeck.
This was the last of the Andy Hardy films before the 1958 reunion film, Andy Hardy Comes Home, and you certainly can tell the series had seen better days. Andy comes home from the war in this one, just before heading off for college as a 20 year old freshman.
But since Mickey Rooney was something like 26 years old at the time, he looks absolutely ludicrous in a beanie, to say the least. And he’s also far too old to continue his usual juvenile approach to love and romance any longer, even though he’s serious enough about it now to be ready to pop the question to Bonita Granville. But as you can tell from the title, it doesn’t work out, in a twist of the plot even more ridiculous then the sight of grown men wearing stupid little caps.
Lina Romay may not set Andy’s heart on fire, but she does add a little spice to the proceedings. And while I haven’t been able to locate Dorothy Ford in any of my standard references, in this movie she plays a coed who is about 6 foot 6 inches tall, and when she dances with Andy (who comes only about breast high), it is really something to behold:
Overall, while I didn’t care that much for the picture, Judge Hardy’s patented father-to-son talk with Andy at the end of the movie is as good as ever (but ruined by the local station that interrupted it in mid-sentence for yet another commercial).
August 21st, 2021 at 8:40 pm
I get why they made this one, and why Rooney was probably glad to get the work since even big names like James Stewart and Tyrone Power were struggling to come back at this point, but Rooney was by then a highly decorated combat veteran and a far cry from Andy Hardy, and everyone involved here seems to be in denial that the studio and the star couldn’t go back to pre War status.
August 21st, 2021 at 9:52 pm
Rooney has a confounding amount of inchoate, disparate aspects to his personality, career, and talent. I can hardly name a more ‘kaleidoscope’ figure from studio-era Hollywood.
Many in the industry despised him; he was said to be foul and abrasive. But he was married to eight gorgeous women –among them, Ava Gardner. How does that happen?
At the end of the day, I can only admire his talent and professionalism. Can’t speak to his personal life.
I’m glad he had a long and productive life and I’m glad that he shows up in the twilight of his days, in ‘The Black Stallion’ which vividly recalls ‘National Velvet’ decades before. Love that dang movie!
August 21st, 2021 at 11:22 pm
The picture was profitable.
August 22nd, 2021 at 10:55 am
That comes as absolutely no surprise. Seeing Andy Hardy in action again was exactly what movie audiences had been waiting most of the war for.
August 22nd, 2021 at 1:07 pm
Mickey had done The Human Comedy, arguably his best film, at least without Judy Garland, just prior to his service. Never to reach these height again, but he was there.
August 22nd, 2021 at 10:22 pm
HUMAN COMEDY is one of those films that doesn’t get half the recognition it deserves, not only young Rooney’s best and most mature performance, but also a rare Hollywood film that skirts the fantasy element to actually touch on Magical Realism, and for once a sensitive evocation of a sensitive novel.
The Andy Hardy film certainly filled a desire among film fans of the era felt, but it was still terribly out of touch with its era, one of those perfect you can’t go home again moments. Everyone tries, but it just doesn’t feel right.
There are a number of films in this era trying to recapture something that was lost in the War not quite recognising yet something new was afoot.
August 22nd, 2021 at 10:41 pm
Nice, David.
August 23rd, 2021 at 1:14 am
Unfairly neglected author, William Saroyan. This particular novel of his, is thunderously good. It can make you mist up during the read.