Handy Andy (1934)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

David Butler

Writers:

Lewis Beach (play)
William M. Conselman (writer)

Release Date:

27 July 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot Keywords:

Family Life | Beautiful Woman | Based On Play

Cast

Will Rogers	...	Andrew Yates
Peggy Wood	...	Ernestine Yates
Mary Carlisle	...	Janice Yates
Paul Harvey	...	Charlie Norcross
Frank Melton	...	Howard Norcross
Roger Imhof	...	Doc Burmeister
Robert Taylor	...	Lloyd Burmeister
Grace Goodall	...	Mattie Norcross
Jessie Pringle	...	Jennie
Conchita Montenegro	...	Fleurette
Adrian Rosley	...	Henri Duval
Gregory Gaye	...	Pierre Martel
Richard Tucker	...	Mr. Beauregard
Helen Flint	...	Mrs. Beauregard

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #2)

Company:

Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

This was the opening night film of 9 September 1934 at LA's first drive-in theater at Pico and Westwood, originally named simply Drive-In Theater - because there were no others in LA - and later named the Olympic Drive-In.

Soundtrack:

Roses in the Rain

Dodsworth With A Comedy Twist

Known primarily today as the debut film of Robert Taylor, Handy Andy was one of Will Rogers's typical roles as small-town druggist and cracker-barrel philosopher. But he's facing a Dodsworth like midlife crisis with wife Peggy Wood.

Unlike Dodsworth, Handy Andy is played strictly for laughs. Rogers is a man in love with his life, his profession, and his wife and probably in that order. Peggy Wood as his wife wants him to retire and take it easy and towards that end she's encouraging a relationship with drugstore chain owner Paul Harvey and is even practically throwing Harvey's son Frank Melton and her daughter Mary Carlisle together. Mary however prefers town doctor Roger Imhoff's son, Robert Taylor.

The film comes close to the edge of the plot of Dodsworth when on a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras that Rogers has to be dragged to, kicking and screaming, Wood starts falling for the charms of gigolo Gregory Gaye. Will does a Tarzan act to rescue his woman caveman style and he's pretty funny.

Taylor doesn't have much to do, but look good and be in solid support of Rogers and his homespun view of life. In the Films of Robert Taylor Citadel film series, Taylor said that Rogers was nothing, but kindness itself and very supportive of a new kid just starting in the picture business.

Handy Andy is a good way to be introduced to that American institution known as Will Rogers. Would we had someone of his common sense and common touch today.