Love Finds Andy Hardy

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining family comedy with great songs!
Review: "Love Finds Andy Hardy" is a little treasure of a film, for several reasons... if you like Mickey and Judy, if you like seeing Lana Turner in one of her first movie roles, and if you like seeing the type of simple family films that MGM made in its heyday in addition to the more familiar blockbuster musicals.

The main reason for most people to like the film (including me) is Mickey and Judy. Mickey Rooney shows his outstanding comic talent in this film, especially when he experiences the predicament of first having TWO dates for the big dance, and then ends up with the prospect of NO date! And you can't help but be blown away by 15-year-old Judy Garland's knockout rendition of three songs in the picture -- "In Between", detailing her plight of being neither a little girl or quite-yet-grown-up young lady, "It Never Rains But What It Pours", and "Meet the Beat of My Heart"... the latter two performed with all of the gusto and style that would make her a legend.

These two talented youngsters will keep you entertained!

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT LOOKING TRANSFER - WHERE'S THE REST OF THE SERIES?
Review: "Love Finds Andy Hardy" is the third film in the Andy Hardy series about a Judge (Lewis Stone) and his irrepressibly manic son, Andy (Mickey Rooney). In this film young Andy gets a run for his money when the girl next door, Betsy Booth (Judy Garland) pulls cupid's arrow with sincerity and comes out the winner. This was the first film in which Garland's character appeared and perhaps, it's the best in the whole series. The hokum and corn is deep and laughable but hey, that's part of the film's charm and truly, you have to be a die hard cynic not to fall for Andy's overwhelmingly patriot schmaltz. A winner through and through.
TRANSFER: Warner gives us an impressive looking transfer with a solid B&W picture. The gray scale is nicely balanced. Age related artifacts are kept to a bare minimum. There is some minor shimmering of fine details that is distracting at times. Blacks are solid. Contrast levels are well represented. The audio is mono but nicely cleaned up for this DVD.
EXTRAS: An intro from Garland biographer, Jonathan Fricke.
BOTTOM LINE: This is a must have for collectors. One only wishes that Warner had had the foresight to release the entire Andy Hardy series as a box set. Ditto for "The Thin Man"!

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining family comedy with great songs!
Review: "Love Finds Andy Hardy" is a little treasure of a film, for several reasons... if you like Mickey and Judy, if you like seeing Lana Turner in one of her first movie roles, and if you like seeing the type of simple family films that MGM made in its heyday in addition to the more familiar blockbuster musicals.

The main reason for most people to like the film (including me) is Mickey and Judy. Mickey Rooney shows his outstanding comic talent in this film, especially when he experiences the predicament of first having TWO dates for the big dance, and then ends up with the prospect of NO date! And you can't help but be blown away by 15-year-old Judy Garland's knockout rendition of three songs in the picture -- "In Between", detailing her plight of being neither a little girl or quite-yet-grown-up young lady, "It Never Rains But What It Pours", and "Meet the Beat of My Heart"... the latter two performed with all of the gusto and style that would make her a legend.

These two talented youngsters will keep you entertained!

Rating:
Summary: Andy Hardy Finds......Judy Garland!
Review: After MGM wasted Judy's talent for a few years after she was signed in 1935, and put her in a few dud pictures that didn't help her stardom one bit, they put her in this picture with Mickey Rooney, a winning combination!
When viewing this film it is interesting to note that it was filmed in omly 19 days, but then again Metro Goldwen Mayer was the "dream factory"!
Judy plays in this film Betsy Booth, a well-to-do girl who is visiting the house next door to Andy's when she meets him and is attracted to him, but he not to her. This makes for some interesting comical situations, since Andy alreay has a girlfriend!
Since this is Judy Garland, there is plenty of singing thrown in to sweeten the pot!
But I warn you, once you view this film, you will want to buy the other Andy Hardy pictures that Judy co-stars in. I would say, go ahead, as long as it's Mickey and Joots (Mickey's name for Judy) it's sure to be a winner!
In Judy's career her very next film would sign her signature into stardom, The Wizard of Oz.
Next after that was Babes in Arms. If you love Love Finds Any Hardy, you'll love Babes in Arms! It contains that winning combination of Mickey and Joots, so how could you go wroung?
You Can't!
Buy this movie if you love Mickey Rooney!

Buy this movie if you love Judy Garland!

Buy this movie if you love the chemistry they contain!

Rating:
Summary: Bring Us More Andy!
Review: I agree with the reviewer from Canada: It would be great if Warner released the entire Andy Hardy series as a boxed set. I've had six of the films (on VHS) in my collection for quite a few years and never get tired of watching them. Here's another vote cast for more of Judge Hardy's family on DVD!

Rating:
Summary: Mick n' Joots!
Review: I am a big fan of Judy Garland so, I decided to order this. I have heard some silly things about "The Andy Hardy" Series. I was reluctant to buy this, but I love Judy so I said what the heck I will order this tape. And was I entertained!!! The songs Judy sings are great and her acting is fantastic! Another thing I want to mention is, why do people think Lana Turner is beautiful? She isn't that good-looking! Anyway this is a great film. It really shows that Mickey and Judy were MGM's winning duo!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully funny and Entertaining!!!
Review: I'd never seen an Andy Hardy film but I'd read that they reflected L.B. Mayer's delusional vision of American, full of sanctimonious lectures about the virtues of clean, small town living. But if "Love finds Andy Hardy" is typical of the series, then this view is both harsh and narrow. Yes, this is a story about a very white, very Christian small town but there aren't many lectures and the story is simple and unpretentious which allows the actors to develop their characters. The film suggest a way of living that allows for disagreement, sibling rivalry, unrequited love but doesn't transform any of that into pathos or moral tales. Instead, scenes unfold naturally and easily with a certain sweetness that is warm and inviting not cloying and artificial. Maybe this film has worn well because in its simplicity is a portrait of a period of American culture that seems geniune and lost forever. It doesn't feel dated because the film doesn't aspire to be ahead of the times but very much of it.

Clearly this is Mickey Rooney's movie. I've never been fond of him as an actor. His mugging and frentic energy make me turn away in embarrassment. However, in this film there are many moments when his enthusiasm is more infectious than his mugging is distracting. He works well with Lewis Stone and Judy Garland. Also he conveys his internal dilemma dealing with two girls with comedy and concern. There are also many moments when he hams it up so I don't want to mislead anyone! But at least I could see why he was so popular which is something that had escaped me despite watching several of the Garland-Rooney musicals.

The reason I watched this film was to see Judy Garland and I wasn't disappointed. This film was shot shortly before, "Wizard of Oz" and she is awkward and somewhat unfocused but alas she is Judy Garland which means despite her lack of maturity, she is the best thing in the film. Her musical numbers are delightful and her predicament of being too young for Mickey is touching and sweet. Sure, she doesn't know what to do with her hands and occasionally mugs for the camera but at sixteen Judy Garland is clearly bursting with talent, promise and excitement.

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Fresh
Review: I'd never seen an Andy Hardy film but I'd read that they reflected L.B. Mayer's delusional vision of American, full of sanctimonious lectures about the virtues of clean, small town living. But if "Love finds Andy Hardy" is typical of the series, then this view is both harsh and narrow. Yes, this is a story about a very white, very Christian small town but there aren't many lectures and the story is simple and unpretentious which allows the actors to develop their characters. The film suggest a way of living that allows for disagreement, sibling rivalry, unrequited love but doesn't transform any of that into pathos or moral tales. Instead, scenes unfold naturally and easily with a certain sweetness that is warm and inviting not cloying and artificial. Maybe this film has worn well because in its simplicity is a portrait of a period of American culture that seems geniune and lost forever. It doesn't feel dated because the film doesn't aspire to be ahead of the times but very much of it.

Clearly this is Mickey Rooney's movie. I've never been fond of him as an actor. His mugging and frentic energy make me turn away in embarrassment. However, in this film there are many moments when his enthusiasm is more infectious than his mugging is distracting. He works well with Lewis Stone and Judy Garland. Also he conveys his internal dilemma dealing with two girls with comedy and concern. There are also many moments when he hams it up so I don't want to mislead anyone! But at least I could see why he was so popular which is something that had escaped me despite watching several of the Garland-Rooney musicals.

The reason I watched this film was to see Judy Garland and I wasn't disappointed. This film was shot shortly before, "Wizard of Oz" and she is awkward and somewhat unfocused but alas she is Judy Garland which means despite her lack of maturity, she is the best thing in the film. Her musical numbers are delightful and her predicament of being too young for Mickey is touching and sweet. Sure, she doesn't know what to do with her hands and occasionally mugs for the camera but at sixteen Judy Garland is clearly bursting with talent, promise and excitement.

Rating:
Summary: Who Cares About the Plot!
Review: In the remarks of the company critic at the top of the page he mentions the plot to be very dated. I say who cares! I saw the movie two weeks ago and remember very little of the plot but the scene of Judy Garland singing "Meet the Beat of My Heart" was seared into my memory. To mangle its lyrics a bit this performance and a hundred others Excited, Delighted and Ignited the thought that this was the greatest song and dance entertainer ever!
"It Never Rains But It Pours" is also really good. "In Between," "Awful In Between" or whatever that song is called reflects somewhat on her own personal and professional quandaries close to the time of its performance.
If you think 10 minutes of music is worth the purchase price buy the DVD. If not do not.

Rating:
Summary: A Film You Can't Help But Love
Review: MGM recently released five films in DVD format as a tribute to Judy Garland and one of the titles is LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY. Though the movie was released in honor of Garland, it really is Mickey Rooney's film. He plays the loveable teenaged Andy Hardy. Young Sandy has a heart of gold but often seems to get things mixed up a bit which lead to his easily solved difficulties. His problem in this movie is one that follows him in other films: girls. He is supposed to take one girl to a dance, but she cannot go, so he agrees to take another, but then meets a third. Of course one of the girls becomes available again, and the whole situation becomes a mess. Yet in true Hollywood from, all ends happily ever after.

The film has quite a few strengths. First, it does take us back to another place and time when life's problems could easily be solved by the wisdom of Dad and a dose of common sense. Families were dedicated to one anther and communities were close-knit and wholesome. While it is not all that original a film, somehow it is not cliché. We believe that the story could happen. We like Andy Hardy who seems like everybody's nephew, son, kid brother, or next door neighbor. We know that when Judy Garland's character Betsy Booth matures a little, the two will be inseparable sweethearts. The film is a treat which allows us to see both Judy Garland and Lana Turner in early roles. Garland has a certain sweetness as Betsy Booth, Andy's next door neighbor's granddaughter. She is believable as a young innocent. While she sings a few musical numbers, this is not a musical and we see Garland's abilities as a young actress.

While the DVD release does not have as many special features as some of the other recent MGM re-releases, it doe shave an introduction to the film by Garland's biographer and also a "Christmas card" film from the cast that was probably aired with trailers in the 1930's.