Before I review the movie proper, I have to make a few interesting notes: As anyone who've read my reviews over the years probably knows, my favorite movie is It's a Wonderful Life and it's always with that in mind that I always cite when anyone from that movie is in something else I review here. So it is that not only has Todd Karns returned as Harry Land-which he previously played in Andy Hardy's Private Secretary but Donna Reed also appears here as a girl named Melodie. Having seen IAWL so many times, I've just realized that she and Todd had no scenes in that movie together (Ms. Reed was usually in scenes either with James Stewart or the offspring of their characters) so it's a wonderful surprise that Todd has a crush on her here and that they dance together! So far it's just three from IAWL-with Lionel Barrymore from A Family Affair also to account for-also appearing in a Judge Hardy's Family series entry. In a later entry called Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble, Frank Faylen also makes an appearance making it four. I also read that Jimmy Hawkins-one of the Bailey offspring-played Andy Hardy in an unaired TV pilot version making it five from that movie also associated with this series. Anyway, Andy reluctantly dates the Reed character-based on her shyness-because of his father's insistence since he has to deal with her estranged parents' argumentative nature. Despite what I just mentioned, there's still some fun to be had. Perhaps my favorite scene involves Marian's latest date: He woos her by using a speakerphone to communicate with her while driving to her house! This marked Cecilia Parker's return to the series since missing the last two entries. Also, I agree with many reviewers that Ms. Reed was quite a looker so it's not believable that people aren't attracted to her at first, even if she's initially in dowdy clothing. Oh, and Andy's last line-"Women are habit forming"-probably also sums up the real-life Rooney's take on them as well! So on that note, I highly recommend The Courtship of Andy Hardy.
Addendum: While I had reviewed the next two Andy Hardy entries last February, I didn't make any notes about either being the last for a couple of long-time regular members since I didn't think I'd review the series as a whole at the time. Anyway, let me make those notes now.
With Andy Hardy's Double Life, Ann Rutherford played Polly Benedict for the last time. She had played that role since You're Only Young Once (Margaret Marquis previously played Polly in A Family Affair). She'd continue to appear in films and TV guest spots until 1976 when Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood became her last time in front of the cameras for a role. Since October 7, 1953, she was married to William Dozier-the future producer and announcer of the "Batman" TV show-and remained so until his death on April 23, 1991. Ms. Rutherford then died on June 11, 2012.
A couple of months after the release of Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble, regular director George B. Seitz-who helmed all previous ones except for Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever which was directed by W.S. Van Dyke II-died on July 8, 1944.
On March 4, 1943, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave M-G-M a special award "for its achievement in representing the American Way of Life in the production of the "Andy Hardy" series of films." Since the next entry after those two I just mentioned-Love Laughs at Andy Hardy-was released in 1946 and I'm not only reviewing this series but the Blondie and East Side Kids ones, not to mention selected Donald O'Connor and Betty Hutton ones, in chronological order, it will be a while before I get to that one. Hopefully, it won't be too long...
Addendum: While I had reviewed the next two Andy Hardy entries last February, I didn't make any notes about either being the last for a couple of long-time regular members since I didn't think I'd review the series as a whole at the time. Anyway, let me make those notes now.
With Andy Hardy's Double Life, Ann Rutherford played Polly Benedict for the last time. She had played that role since You're Only Young Once (Margaret Marquis previously played Polly in A Family Affair). She'd continue to appear in films and TV guest spots until 1976 when Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood became her last time in front of the cameras for a role. Since October 7, 1953, she was married to William Dozier-the future producer and announcer of the "Batman" TV show-and remained so until his death on April 23, 1991. Ms. Rutherford then died on June 11, 2012.
A couple of months after the release of Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble, regular director George B. Seitz-who helmed all previous ones except for Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever which was directed by W.S. Van Dyke II-died on July 8, 1944.
On March 4, 1943, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave M-G-M a special award "for its achievement in representing the American Way of Life in the production of the "Andy Hardy" series of films." Since the next entry after those two I just mentioned-Love Laughs at Andy Hardy-was released in 1946 and I'm not only reviewing this series but the Blondie and East Side Kids ones, not to mention selected Donald O'Connor and Betty Hutton ones, in chronological order, it will be a while before I get to that one. Hopefully, it won't be too long...