THE HARDYS RIDE HIGH

US, 1939, 81 minutes, Black and white.
Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Fay Holden, Cecilia Parker, Ann Rutherford, Sara Haden, Virginia Grey, Minor Watson.
Directed by George B. Seitz.

This is the sixth film in the Hardy Family series. It was well established by 1939, with Mickey Rooney still in high school but moving towards adulthood, the judge presiding over justice matters in the town of Carvel, Mrs Hardy still mothering everyone, Marian their daughter and Sara Haden as Aunt Milly. This time the family gets news of a possible inheritance in Detroit and goes to find it. The heir contesting the will is played by John ‘Dusty’ King. He is rather a spendthrift.

The family goes to visit Detroit, they go on the town somewhat, Mrs Hardy being tricked by a conman, Andy meeting up with a chorus girl, Marian wanting a new dress...

There are the familiar scenes of father and son talks, Andy and his courting of Polly Benedict (Ann Rutherford) and recounting his football successes.

The film has a message about integrity – and one needs to have a moral stance as regards inheriting money.

1. The popularity of the series? By 1939? The establishing of the characters? Andy and his relationship to his family, especially his father?

2. The black and white photography, Carvel, the town, the contrast with Detroit?

3. The 1930s values, family values, relationship between parents and children? School? Courting? The issue of money, the possible inheritance for the judge, testing out the validity of the will, the possibility of a children’s hospital, the judge and his final stance?

4. The surprise of the inheritance, going to Detroit? The shopping, status? The effect? Issues of forgery? The temptation to easy wealth?

5. Philip, his being the heir, his character, playboy? Consuela, dancing, the encounter with Andy and his having to learn his lessons?

6. The family, life in the city, Milly and her encounter with the conman? Marian and her expensive dress? Andy, Phil and the drinking?

7. City live versus the country, the lauding of the values of Carvel? Polly, Andy and his relationship with her? The story of the alcohol?

8. The film as an entertaining transition from the early part of the series to the later films?