Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

George B. Seitz

Writers:

Aurania Rouverol (characters)
Agnes Christine Johnston (screenplay)

Release Date:

December 1942 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Tagline:

IT'S A ROMANTIC BATTLE-ROYAL! (original ad - all caps)

Plot Keywords:

Judge | Small Town Life | Teen Angst | College Student | Jalopy

Cast

Lewis Stone	...	Judge James K. Hardy
Mickey Rooney	...	Andy Hardy
Cecilia Parker	...	Marian Hardy
Fay Holden	...	Mrs. Emily Hardy
Ann Rutherford	...	Polly Benedict
Sara Haden	...	Aunt Milly Forrest
Esther Williams	...	Sheila Brooks
William Lundigan	...	Jeff Willis
Robert Pittard	...	Botsy, One of the Gang
Robert Blake	...	'Tooky' Stedman (as Bobby Blake)
Susan Peters	...	Sue, Wainwright Coed on Train
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Roger Moore	...	Court Clerk (scenes deleted)
Floyd Shackelford	...	Joe (scenes deleted)
Philip Van Zandt	...	Binks' Attorney (scenes deleted)

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved (PCA #8608)

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Loew's

Trivia:

The thirteenth of sixteen Andy Hardy films starring Mickey Rooney.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946)

Typical Hardy corn given a boost by luscious Esther Williams...

ESTHER WILLIAMS fans will get a kick out of her luscious appearance in one of her early MGM "training" films wherein she gets to show her stuff in and out of a bathing suit. She's delightfully sly (and coy) in her kissing scenes with Andy, proving even then why she was about to become one of MGM's hottest box-office stars. Not only does she look more beautiful than ever, but she shows a distinct flair for light comedy.

As for MICKEY ROONEY, he's the same old Andy--having heart to heart (or man to man) talks with Judge Hardy (LEWIS STONE), getting advice on how to deal with women from big sister (CELIA PARKER), putting up with foolish Polly Benedict (ANN RUTHERFORD) and her schemes to get even with him for jilting her. It's all very silly, cornball and yet entertaining fluff, made worthwhile by the presence of Esther Williams in a key role and such other up and coming personalities as WILLIAM LUNDIGAN and SUSAN PETERS.

The only reason I gave this one a watch is to see how Esther Williams fared in her supporting role. Otherwise, these Hardy stories are really too much to bear sitting through tolerably with the cornball stuff too obvious and sentimental for today's viewing.