I have found that the Andy Hardy films are enjoyable light entertainment--certainly not great films but likable nonetheless. However, this installment is the first I've seen from the series in which I didn't like Andy...a serious problem. While he's always been rather sweet and likable, here he seems like a phony--a social- climber who often disregards those around him.
It all begins with Andy (Mickey Rooney) creating a lie to impress his friends. He tells them that he's friends with a famous New York débutante, Daphne Fowler. But when his father announces that they family is going to New York because he has business, Andy panics. Instead of just telling the truth, he just tells one lie after another.
When the family arrives in the city, they are met by Betsy (Judy Garland) and she plans on doing her best to make sure the family has a great visit. She also helps Andy without question in his scheme to meet Daphne...and it's obvious she's doing it because she is in love with Andy. How is it obvious? She sings a song all about it...which is what most young adults do when they are faced with problems. Despite her help, Andy digs a hole for himself because he's much more concerned about looking big in society instead of caring for everyone around him. At one point, a restaurant owner tells Andy "I think you need a good spanking"...and I heartily agree! He has been a complete jerk throughout the film. Can he possibly redeem himself or will he just digging his self-absorbed hole even deeper?
There is a HUGE problem with a sense of perspective in this film. Andy whines and mopes and complains that his family isn't rich instead of just telling the truth and being a stand-up guy...and it's made worse since Judge Hardy is in New York because the local orphanage has lost its funding...a far, far, far more important problem. Again and again, I just wanted to see someone bust Andy in the mouth and tell him to grow up and shut up! Eventually he learns his lesson in this heavy-handed film but he's simply insufferable in the meantime...making it one of the worst films in the series. Had they had more balance and made Andy not quite so awful, it would have worked much, much better.
It all begins with Andy (Mickey Rooney) creating a lie to impress his friends. He tells them that he's friends with a famous New York débutante, Daphne Fowler. But when his father announces that they family is going to New York because he has business, Andy panics. Instead of just telling the truth, he just tells one lie after another.
When the family arrives in the city, they are met by Betsy (Judy Garland) and she plans on doing her best to make sure the family has a great visit. She also helps Andy without question in his scheme to meet Daphne...and it's obvious she's doing it because she is in love with Andy. How is it obvious? She sings a song all about it...which is what most young adults do when they are faced with problems. Despite her help, Andy digs a hole for himself because he's much more concerned about looking big in society instead of caring for everyone around him. At one point, a restaurant owner tells Andy "I think you need a good spanking"...and I heartily agree! He has been a complete jerk throughout the film. Can he possibly redeem himself or will he just digging his self-absorbed hole even deeper?
There is a HUGE problem with a sense of perspective in this film. Andy whines and mopes and complains that his family isn't rich instead of just telling the truth and being a stand-up guy...and it's made worse since Judge Hardy is in New York because the local orphanage has lost its funding...a far, far, far more important problem. Again and again, I just wanted to see someone bust Andy in the mouth and tell him to grow up and shut up! Eventually he learns his lesson in this heavy-handed film but he's simply insufferable in the meantime...making it one of the worst films in the series. Had they had more balance and made Andy not quite so awful, it would have worked much, much better.