LIFE BEGINS FOR ANDY HARDY
US, 1941, 102 minutes, Black and white.
Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Judy Garland, Patricia Dane, Ann Rutherford, Fay Holden.
Directed by George B, Seitz.
Life Begins for Andy Hardy is the eleventh in the series. By this stage Andy has graduated from school, wants a job, but fears making decisions about his future, especially many years studying in law. He decides to go to New York to work. Mickey Rooney is the same as always, ingratiating, brash, ultimately learning lessons from his father, Lewis Stone, whom he respects. In this film his mother and Aunt Millie are in the background. His sister is missing.
However, this is the third film in the series for Judy Garland’s Betsy Booth, Love finds Andy Hardy, Andy Hardy meets Debutante. She is a bright presence in the film though she does not get an opportunity to sing. In fact, the film was subject of great deal of interference, the songs dropped, the suicide of a young man changed to be death from heart disease, and the Legion of Decency objected to a speech by Judge Hardy about sexual behavior and marriage, a rather edifying speech but one which was considered not suitable for a film at this time.
Poly Benedict, Ann Rutherford, appears at the beginning but she and Andy have broken off. While Andy has Betsy Booth’s help in New York, he tries to be independent. He makes mistakes in his job but owns up to them and is allowed to continue. However, he becomes infatuated with the secretary played by Patricia Dane. She is something of a good time girl, involved with a married man, but still flirting with Andy.
The sub-plot with the dancer who can’t get a job and, in the original, kills himself, who he dies from heart failure after strenuous work, is quite moving. Andy arranges the funeral and writes a note to the priest, though the priest finished up on the cutting room floor.
And he learns a lot of lessons, but he should have remembered some of the lessons he learned in New York and spending money in Andy Hardy Meets Debutante.
The film, as always, is directed by George B. Seitz.
1. The popularity of the Andy Hardy series? This film as the 11th in the series within four years?
2. The title, the town, Andy Hardy growing up, graduating, breaking with Polly Benedict, friendship with Betsy Booth, going to New York, accommodation, job, mistakes?
3. MGM production values, the town of Carvil, life in New York? Musical score?
4. The focus on Betsy Booth, Judy Garland’s presence? Her attraction towards Andy? Phone calls to the judge? Coming to town, the car, driving to New York, helping Andy with the accommodation, friendship, discussions, the car going round the block, her meeting Miss Hicks, suspicions, learning the truth, confronting her? Her disappearing from the series?
5. The character of Andy, love for his mother, her spoiling him, wary about his going to New York? His father, his wisdom, the discussions, his future, meeting the head of the university? Betsy, going to New York? The accommodation, sharing the room with the dancer, their discussions, his auditions, his collapse and death? Andy’s grief, handling the funeral? Getting the job, making mistakes, sending the wrong letter, the boss and his anger, in his office, not denying his mistake, being allowed to stay? The accommodation, his hunger, Miss Hicks taking him for a meal? His infatuation with Miss Hicks, paying for the perfume, taxi, at work, escorting her home, the kiss, misunderstanding her flirting? Her helping him with the job? His disillusionment? His father coming to the office, eating together, talking together, his getting the job as a grease monkey? Coming from under the car, going home?
6. Miss Hicks, glamour, her work, helping Andy, flirting, her own relationship, the gifts, Betsy finding out, the lover coming to her apartment, taking the coat?
7. Judge Hardy, his work, age, wisdom and tradition?
8. The popular ingredients of the series, the characters, the interactions, audiences of the time identifying with them? Especially Andy wanting to be on his
own, his job, failures and mistakes, learning from his mistakes?
