This is one of those once much-beloved Hardy films that gave a generation a film family to watch and helped shoot Rooney to stardom. It's the usual sappy family gunk that would make MGM's Louis B. Mayer cry tender tears... all the way to the bank. This time those lovable Hardy's go out west, as would Laurel & Hardy, the Marx Brothers, Martin & Lewis, and seemingly every other comedy team or series character at some point in their cinema existence. Oh, the joy of watching that stiff bore Lewis Stone wear a cowboy hat. He's Judge Hardy and he's come to the aid of an old friend out west who is having water rights issues. The good ol' Judge solves the problem, of course, while also counseling that rascally son Rooney when his horsemanship nearly kills the favorite horse of the ranch owner's daughter Virginia Weidler.
Ahh, Virginia Weidler. The only reason to watch this film. While Rooney nearly herniates himself mugging or crying throughout the film, Weidler shows him how it's really done. She was only eleven at the time (and playing an eight-year-old in this film) but her comic chops and coolly bright personality knocks everyone else off the screen. Forget those Hardys, I wanted to stay out west with Weidler and follow HER adventures.
Ahh, Virginia Weidler. The only reason to watch this film. While Rooney nearly herniates himself mugging or crying throughout the film, Weidler shows him how it's really done. She was only eleven at the time (and playing an eight-year-old in this film) but her comic chops and coolly bright personality knocks everyone else off the screen. Forget those Hardys, I wanted to stay out west with Weidler and follow HER adventures.