Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946) User Reviews (20)

Entertaining viewing for Hardy and Dorothy Ford fans only.

[opsbooks · 6/10 · 11 January 2004]

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.

The last of the actual Andy Hardy films...

[AlsExGal · 5/10 · 20 November 2021]

...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.

The Hardy Family Homecoming

[lugonian · 7/10 · 24 February 2019]

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)

Mickey Rooney was much better than I thought he would be

[atinkerer · 7/10 · 21 March 2016]

In the last decades of his life, I came to dislike Mickey Rooney. This was based on what I heard about the man, which gave me the impression that he was a delusional, self-aggrandizing, and self promoting, jackass.

However, I started to reevaluate him after I heard the director of Breakfast At Tiffany's say that he always regretted casting Rooney in that picture.

I had always thought that Rooney did a great job as the Japanese clown character he created for Tiffany's. He seemed to me to be the perfect counterpoint to Hepburn's pseudo-sophisticated New Yorker character.

Then tonight I saw Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946)and I was blown away by Rooney's command of the screen, and the poise he had in the character he created. The movie itself was just OK. But Rooney drew my attention in every frame he was in. For someone as young as he was in that movie, to have that kind of screen presence, really surprised me.

There was a reason he was a big deal back in the day. There was a reason he was a big box office draw back in the day. I have a new found respect for the man who's shadows I see flicker away at me in those old movies.

Tony

Weak Story to Originally End the Series

[Michael_Elliott · 7 February 2011]

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946)

** (out of 4)

The fifteenth film in the series has Andy (Mickey Rooney) returning home from the Army and clearing up a few things with his parents (Lewis Stone, Fay Holden) before heading back to college where he plans on marrying the girl (Bonita Granville) he fell in love with from the previous film. Andy's plans don't go as he expects and he gets the idea that college isn't for him and perhaps it would be best to just enter the working world. MGM would make the ill-advised decision to try and bring this series back in 1958 but it's clear this was originally meant to be the final entry in the series. I think it's also clear that the majority of the people involved were probably wishing this movie never happened at all. For starters, director Goldbeck, a newbie to the series, can't recapture the same magic as the earlier films and the entire tone of the film just doesn't seem right. Another problem is the screenplay, which really does seem to be picking up spare pieces at the bottom of a barrel. Nothing on display here is really of any interest as the entire love affair for Andy doesn't really make too much sense if you've seen the previous film in the series and for the life of me I can't understand why on Earth they spent so much time getting the entire story going. The early scenes in Carville are cute because it shows Andy meeting up with a few characters from earlier in the series (but no Polly) but it adds very little. The stuff at college isn't all that interesting either, although one of the few high points comes when Andy gets set up with a girl (Dorothy Ford) who is almost twice his size. Another highlight comes at the very end when Lina Romay shows up in a highly entertaining little sequence. The "final" spill to (originally) end the series works well but it's a shame everything else didn't meet its level of entertainment. Rooney isn't too bad in his role but it really does appear that his heart or mind is somewhere else. Stone and Holden really don't get very much to do and Sara Haden just appears briefly. Granville is as charming as ever but the screenplay doesn't do her any favors either. Fans of the series will certainly still want to check this one out but if you're new to Andy Hardy it's best to avoid this one and check out some of the earlier and better films.

A Minor Andy Hardy Installment

[atlasmb · 6/10 · 25 September 2016]

In the fifteenth Andy Hardy film, he--like so many other military men--returns home after the war. During his time away, he has been thinking a lot about Kay (Bonita Granville), who is still at college. For her part, she has been thinking a lot about him since their last film, two years earlier. Each has a big announcement for the other.

A side story has Andy being matched with an attractive Amazon (Dorothy Ford) who serves to further emphasize his diminutive stature. They make the best of it and enjoy their evening at the frosh dance.

This film is not one of the better Hardy family stories, though it contains the last man-to-man chat between Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone) and Andy.

Dorothy Ford steals the show with her vivacious personality. Andy's crisis du jour eventually fizzles to nothingness when he spots the next comely coed.

There is a serious subject hidden inside this episode--the fact that the passage of years (and the experiences in those years) can result in unexpected expectations from lovers or spouses. But the matter is dispatched with quickly as if Andy were still a younger teen.

Dorothy Ford Fans Rejoice!

[JohnHowardReid · 6/10 · 26 March 2016]

Let me say at once that any movie featuring Dorothy Ford is a good movie. This said, however, "Love Laughs…" is otherwise a waste of time. Mickey Rooney sleepwalks through a lot of boringly familiar routines and the direction by a gent named Willis Goldbeck can only be described as stodgy, clumsy and even deliberately flat-footed. Atrociously photographed by Robert Planck, Lewis Stone doesn't look the least bit like Andy's father – or even his grandfather. His great grandfather, yes – and with corny dialogue to fit. Director Goldbeck's decision to use lots of close-ups whenever Stone is in the camera's sights can only be described as a cardinal error. I'm not at all comfortable seeing a fine actor struggling to read a lot of dopey, inconsequential lines off an idiot board. Aside from this error – and it's a cardinal one – the movie serves up familiar routines with a certain amount of dash – and even expense. As I said at the start, it's a must-have for Dorothy Ford fans and it's available on a very good Mill Creek DVD.

next to last

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 10 January 2024]

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.

Reasonably well made but Andy and the series are looking a bit old.

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 30 July 2014]

Mickey Rooney made about a dozen and a half Andy Hardy films--and this is among the very last. Because of this, it's certainly far from original and lacks the energy of the earlier entries. It's also oddly depressing at times.

This installment finds Andy returning home from the war...and it was sure swell. However, instead of dealing with PTSD or the looming threat of international communism, Andy is in a daze--obsessed with his latest love, Kay Wilson (Bonita Granville). His plan is to go off to college using the GI Bill and marry Kay the co-ed. However, soon his plans fall apart, as it turns out that Kay has other plans. Additionally, although he goes to school, oddly, you never see him attend any classes! By the end, the audience is feeling a bit uneasy about his pain as well as a sense of déjà vu, as Andy is ALWAYS having girl trouble.

Aside from a cute side story about Andy dating a gigantic lady, the film has little in the way of interesting content or originality. It's clearly a film for the die-hard Hardy groupies and is reasonably entertaining but nothing more. And, incidentally, it's in the public domain and may be copied and viewed for free following the links on IMDb...though I wouldn't necessarily rush to do this.

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 8 January 2023]

There's really only so far the charming Mickey Rooney can take this before it just falls a bit flat! He is the eponymous lad, returning from the war head over heels in love with "Kay" (Bonita Granville). His delighted parents (Fay Holden and Lewis Stone) welcome him with open arms, even remarking on his new streak of independence. Unfortunately for him, though - his beau's attentions lie elsewhere and that comes as quite a shock to our jovial wee fella. What ensues is a gently comedic series of escapades that raise a smile, if not exactly uproarious laughter, but that wear thin quite quickly. Save for the additional appearance of Dorothy Ford as his deep-voiced, elegantly tall friend "Coffy", and for a decent effort from Stone as his father, the film would rate little better the a bit of amiable post-war feel good entertainment. As it is, though, it's really just a well enough paced vehicle for the cheeky chappy at the top of the bill, and like the bulk of the other "Andy" films is largely forgettable.

"That girl's tall enough to be his father!"

[utgard14 · 5/10 · 26 May 2015]

The penultimate Andy Hardy movie is really, for me, the end of the series. When it returned years later in an attempt to revive things, it just wasn't the same. There's no Hardy family without Judge Hardy, in my opinion. Anyway this one was released two years after the previous one. We learn in between films Andy (Mickey Rooney) served in the war. He's home now and anxious to reunite with Kay (Bonita Granville), his girlfriend from the last movie. Andy's planning to marry Kay and settle down. His parents aren't too crazy about this idea. They want Andy to finish college before thinking about marriage. Turns out it doesn't matter as Kay has other plans for her future.

What would an Andy Hardy movie be without pretty girls? Here we have the lovely Bonita Granville, Dorothy Ford, and Lina Romay. This Lina is not to be confused with the later actress and wife of Jesús Franco. This one was mostly known for her singing, as well as her appearance in a popular Droopy cartoon. Granville is a charming actress but her character is rather dull and the whole 'romance with my legal guardian' thing is just gross. Dorothy Ford, who was over six feet tall, is beautiful and easily the highlight of the picture. The usual Hardy cast is solid, with Mickey doing a decent job portraying a maturing Andy but not TOO mature. After all, Andy Hardy would be boring if his head was on too straight.

This is the last Hardy film to feature Lewis Stone's Judge Hardy. Stone continued acting after this but he died before the next Hardy movie, Andy Hardy Comes Home, which was a failed attempt to reboot the series. When the series started out, Judge Hardy was the main character. But as Mickey Rooney's Andy grew in popularity, he took the spotlight and the Judge was reduced to a supporting part (albeit still an important one). As I've said in other Hardy movie reviews, Judge Hardy was the backbone of the series. His loving relationship with wife Emily (played by the endearing Fay Holden) and his fatherly advice to his children, particularly Andy, was at the heart of everything that happened with the Hardys. Often the series drew its A or B plot from one of the cases brought before Judge Hardy in court. Yes, Judge Hardy is also the lightning rod for most of the criticisms that are leveled at these movies. It's through him that many of the series' old-fashioned values and ideas are put forth. If you are someone who mocks the series, chances are the Judge is your least favorite character. Personally, I like him a lot, even if I don't always agree with him. Without the Judge, as played so well by Lewis Stone, the series would have been just a bunch of juvenile comedies with Mickey mugging for the camera and it might not have lasted as long as it did.

For die-hard fans of the series, there is a little to like here but not a lot . I imagine most fans would consider this one of the lesser entries. There are still some good scenes, such as Andy locking himself out of the house while in his aunt's bath robe or all of the scenes with Andy and the much-taller Coffy Smith. But, for the most part, the mood and feel of the movie is just off compared to previous ones. It's slow and lacks the energy that the earlier Hardy movies had. It's certainly not one I would recommend to anybody trying out an Andy Hardy film for the first time. But, for fans, you'll have to see it at least once. If for no other reason than one final man-to-man talk between Andy and his father.

Mickey Rooney in top form, master performer

[muffinheuer2003 · 10/10 · 4 August 2005]

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!

The worst out of all the Andy Hardy movies! Not even the usually exceptional Rooney can save this one...

[thirteenthfloorelevator · 4/10 · 20 February 2006]

The problem with this Andy Hardy movie is that Andy is no longer in High School and has just arrived home from the war. The plot about Andy wanting to marry some girl is contrived, as are the dancing sequences. Mickey seems to be just going through the numbers, and the other performances are nothing to see the film for. There are a few funny sequences, and all the Hardy clichés are in place, from the man to man talk, and Mickey coming to his senses after the talking to with The Judge. The film feels flat without Ann Rutherford or Judy Garland in it, and the girls in it instead are simply there to elicit a few cheap laughs. Mickey Rooney certainly gives the script his best effort, but not even he can save it. It feels like MGM stopped caring about the quality of the script and just about the Hardy name. This is a cheap cash in on the usually outstanding Hardy series and cheapens their memory! The worst of all the Andy Hardy movies!

Raggedy Andy Hardy

[wes-connors · 5/10 · 22 June 2012]

After serving two years in World War II, marriage-minded Mickey Rooney (as Andrew "Andy" Hardy) is back in Carvel, Idaho. He is welcomed by wise father Lewis Stone (as James Hardy) and concerned mother Fay Holden (as Emily); aunt Sara Haden (as Milly Forrest) appears briefly. Later, you can be sure Mr. Stone will have a helpful heart-to-heart talk with Rooney. From home, Mr. Rooney goes to finish his freshman year at Wainright College, and culminate his romance with pretty sweetheart Bonita Granville (as Kay Wilson). She hears wedding bells, but they aren't music to Rooney's ears...

"Everybody worries about my future, but nobody worries about my now," is an apt reflection by Rooney's "Andy Hardy". His famous character seemed dated when this was released, and it was the penultimate episode in MGM's "Judge Hardy's Family" series. "Love Laughs at Andy Hardy" has the level of maturity evident in these movies; but, apparently, viewers expected progress. In hindsight, the film delivers the usual good will, with a little of the usual fun. Rooney's dating Dorothy Ford (as Coffy Smith) is an obvious stand-out. A 1958 update, with Rooney assuming the fatherly role, failed to revive the series.

***** Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (12/25/46) Willis Goldbeck ~ Mickey Rooney, Bonita Granville, Lewis Stone, Dorothy Ford

Will Andy Ever Grow Up?

[bkoganbing · 3/10 · 8 October 2010]

After spending time in the service after National Velvet, Mickey Rooney returned to MGM hoping to resume his pre-war career. Like his real life counterpart, Rooney's most well known character Andy Hardy also did some time in the army during World War II. Andy had dropped out of Wainwright College which also was the alma mater of his dad, Lewis Stone and enlisted in the army. Love Laughs At Andy Hardy marked his return to peacetime America as it did for millions of others.

Then why for heaven's sake didn't MGM let him grow up a bit? After time in the service during war, you would think that Andy would have matured a bit. Still now as a veteran he goes right back to the same callow youth that we knew before Pearl Harbor.

So a beloved series ended because millions of veterans just could not swallow an Andy Hardy who had not changed.

Rooney is having his usual female trouble. He met a girl in college played by Bonita Granville before the war whom he hoped would wait for him, but she didn't even send a 'dear john' letter to him. Mickey also met Lina Romay visiting Carvel from South America.

This was one time where MGM took deliberate advantage of Mickey's well known vertical challenge. Being dateless he allows himself at one point to be set up with 6'2" Dorothy Ford and they do look ridiculous together. The best part of the film is seeing Rooney trying to dance with Ford. I've seen Ford in a few other films and she nearly comes up in height to such tall stars as James Stewart, Henry Fonda, and John Wayne. You might remember her best as the giant's wife with Abbott&Costello in Jack And The Beanstalk.

Lewis Stone, Fay Holden, and Sara Haden all repeat their roles from previous Hardy films. Cecilia Parker as Andy's older sister is absent, presumably she's sprung from the nest, no explanation is given in the film.

This was not the last Andy Hardy film however. Over a decade later, Rooney returned to MGM as Andy Hardy now married to Patricia Breslin and the father of two kids and he's moving back to Carvel. After that there were no more visits to Carvel from MGM.

Who knows the series might have kept going if MGM had let Andy grow up. As it is what was cute before was ludicrous now.

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy was another enjoyable Judge Hardy's Family series entry

[tavm · 8/10 · 21 July 2015]

In the previous series entry, Andy Hardy was attending Wainwright College-his father's alma mater-and was falling for a woman named Kay Wilson (Bonita Granville). That was two years before this one. Since then, it's revealed that Andy got drafted and is revealed at the beginning he's coming home. This was probably put in to capitalize on the fact that Mickey Rooney had indeed joined the military between both pictures. Anyway, he wants to go back to Wainwright right away-mainly so he can propose to Kay-but first he meets a pretty Latin beauty named Isobel Gonzalas (Lina Romay) who sings and dances for the family's enjoyment. Oh, and the sponsor is Mr. Benedict (the return of Addison Richards) who mentions daughter Polly as she doesn't appear here. When Andy goes back to school, he and Kay have a nice reunion but soon she has to go home for a while so at the dance there, Andy ends up on a date with a Coffy Smith (Dorothy Ford) who is revealed to be real tall as Andy is real short resulting in an initially awkward jitterbug dance between them but it works out at the end of that! There's more but I'll just now say this was both touching and funny with another fine "man to man" talk between Andy and his father. So on that note, I recommend Love Laughs at Andy Hardy. P.S. This turned out to be Lewis Stone's final one as Judge Hardy. After appearing in a few more movies, he was confronted by some teen toughs at his garden and when he tried to chase them away, his heart gave out causing him to die on September 12, 1953.

Blah

[arfdawg-1 · 2/10 · 27 January 2017]

The Plot.

Poor Andy, all he wants to do is get to town and continue to woo his girl and ask her hand in marriage.

Andrew "Andy" Hardy met his sweetheart Kay Wilson in college, but has since served in the military and is now being discharged.

Getting back to Kay may be the hardest thing of them all to accomplish.

He arrives in town alright, but things start to go awry from there.

Question is, will he succeed?

DISCLAIMER: I never like the Andy Hardy series.

First of all Andy's mother and father look like they are 80 years old a piece and Andy is supposed to be right out of the army -- so 20? 22 at most?now there's a miracle.

The movie supposedly had a budget of a million bucks. I thought that was a lot but its about 13 million today so I suppose this was a low budget picture.

The movie is rather bland and lifeless.

I can read English even if I was born in Canada.

[mark.waltz · 3/10 · 10 January 2023]

So says Ma Hardy (Fay Holden) in the opening scene of the film, finding out that Andy's on his way home, having been separated from the army. She misunderstands and thinks that he separated from a wife that and he hadn't told them about. But once this misunderstanding is fixed, they get to see Andy make his big entrance, tossed off an army truck right in front of them as they make their way to Sunday church services. This comes along with the fact that Pa Hardy, the aging Lewis Stone, is stuck wearing a hat that is too small for him, and Andy is perplexed about how to keep in touch with his old sweetheart, Bonita Granville (returning for her second film in the series), while old girlfriend Polly's father introduces him to swinging senorita Lina Romay who is fascinated by his reputation, something that in later episodes of the series prior to this one perplexed me because there is no way in any high school that Andy Hardy of all people would be the most popular kid, something that MGM executive Louis B. Mayer tried to push down everyone's throat by keeping this series going far too long.

The best part of the movie is the presence of a statuesque beauty played by Dorothy Ford, paired with Andy at a dance for comic relief because of their difference in height. She is completely charming and steals the film with her wit and self evasing attitude. It's obviously thrown in for visual comedy and could have been presented as tasteless, but it's the one element of the film that I found memorable outside the Nostalgia of seeing the Elder Hardys, including Sarah Haden's Aunt Millie, as Andy has not matured in the intervening years even though he's been away at war. The element of re-adapting to society after being away at war could have been an interesting dramatic twist to the story, but it's far too light-hearted and formula to try something daring. For that reason, this film is not at all realistic considering the time, showing that while the world had changed, certain parts of MGM and the Hardy family had not. Rooney is still consistent in this characterization so he's all right, but so many elements of the film just don't work considering that the series has been going on for 10 years, and he's still a man child, not having changed much since moving past his teen years. No Cecilia Parker or Ann Rutherford, although both characters are mentioned, and of course no Judy Garland or mention of Betsy Booth. Granville and Romay lack the spark of the other future stars like Donna Reed and Kathryn Grayson who earlier appeared in the series and were now bigger stars.

A greatly undervalued Mickey Rooney entertainment improves with age.

[jjulian1009 · 9/10 · 13 February 2017]

Please don't let the low IMDb rating prevent you from enjoying the last Hardy Family film in which Andy is still a young (characteristically callow) fellow dealing with another romantic adventure after returning from military service in WWII. In fact, Rooney had served in the army with distinction, so aspects of the situation here parallel his real-life return to Hollywood.

Although its storyline proves as intriguing as earlier dilemmas that Andy had faced, the dialogue is not quite as sparkling this time around. Perhaps the toning down was unavoidable in a badly-disquieted America so soon after the unspeakable horrors of NAZI and Japanese atrocities as well as the new terror of atomic warfare weighing heavily on audiences' minds.

Rooney loved being a performer, and notwithstanding his rusty timing in the slapstick scenes such as when he locks himself out of the house on a freezing night in mid-winter, he still displays more charisma than a dozen other post-war young actors combined. Above all, he turns many serious conversations here that were potentially maudlin or dreary into genuinely involving moments.

None of the Andy Hardy films were steeped in profundities. All the same, the Hardy Family saga propelled by its invariably strong supporting casts constitutes one of Hollywood's finest entertainments ---- and "LLAAH'" has improved with age to a greater extent than most of the entries in this series. Enjoy!

A very fitting and emotional end

[HotToastyRag · 9/10 · 24 November 2019]

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy has a silly sounding title, but it's an extremely important movie, and for many reasons. It was the first movie Mickey Rooney made after returning home from his time in the army, the last Andy Hardy movie for twelve years, and the last movie to include Lewis Stone. In the final movie of the series, Lewis had already passed away, and it's rather sad to see the family without him. For all intents and purposes, this one is the last in the series, since the series started out centered on the judge and how he fixes his family's problems.

The movie starts with Lewis Stone and Fay Holden preparing for Mickey's return to the house. He's sent a telegram that his military service is over, but Fay doesn't understand the wording and worries that he's eloped. Lewis has to calm her down, but Fay doesn't stop worrying throughout the movie. After all, he's her little boy, and he's made it home safe and sound from the army! Mickey's been given a wonderful welcome back scene, both to his onscreen family and to the people in the audience. It's very touching, and everyone's very emotional, perhaps realizing that there was always the possibility that Mickey Rooney would sacrifice himself for his country and this movie would never have been made.

Upon his return home from the army, Mickey is a little distracted. He's not his usual hormone-crazed teenager, and much to Fay's dismay, he's been seen looking at bassinets and wedding tuxedos in shop windows. Turns out, he's fallen in love with Bonita Granville from college-whom you might remember from the previous movie-and is hoping to propose marriage now that he's back from the war. She might not reciprocate his feelings, and not every war hero has a woman waiting for him with open arms. Love may laugh at Andy Hardy, but nobody else will. This is a very serious volume of the Andy Hardy series, and a very fitting end to all fourteen consecutive stories. You can rent the very final one if you want to, but I'm happy with this one.