Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)

Love Finds Andy Hardy
Directed by George B. Seitz
Written by William Ludwig from the stories by Vivien R. Bretherton
1938/USA
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Betsy Booth: I sing, you know.[/box]

This domestic comedy goes down smoothly, like an old TV sitcom.

Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) has money trouble, which soon becomes woman trouble.  He wants to buy a used hot rod for a big dance but is $8 short.  Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone) is against the idea of Andy even having his own car.  Then Andy’s steady girl Polly (Ann Rutherford) has to miss the dance to visit her grandmother.  Andy’s friend has to do the same and offers Andy the $8 to date his girlfriend (Lana Turner) up and keep her away from other boys.  In the meantime, pre-teen Betsy Booth (Judy Garland) is visiting next door and develops a mad crush on Andy. Naturally, poor Andy ends up with three dance dates at the same time.  Judge Hardy is on hand with fatherly wisdom.

This is basically an entertaining movie though I don’t like Mickey Rooney much when he mugs for the camera, which he does a lot here.  Judy Garland is absolutely delightful.  I hadn’t known Lana Turner started out in the movies so young.

Trailer