Andy Hardy Comes Home

California attorney Andy Hardy returns to his small Midwestern hometown of Carvel and is welcomed warmly by his mother, sister Marian and Aunt Milly. Upon arriving home, Andy is greeted by his old friend, Beezy Anderson, who invites him to a party the following evening. Later, back in his old room, Andy spends a few moments recalling his tumultuous teen years with a few special girlfriends. Later, Andy tells Mother Hardy that he has come home in order to purchase property on which his company, Gordon Aircraft, can build an electronics plant. The next day Andy visits the land office at City Hall, which is run by Betty Wilson, the younger sister of one of Andy's former school mates. Betty assists Andy and soon they discover an ideal tract owned by a Carvel newcomer, businessman Thomas Chandler. Andy visits Chandler and the men arrange to sign a contract the following day upon approval by Andy's boss, Mr. Gordon. While walking home, Andy decides to stop in at Doc's Malt Shop where he recalls old times with Doc, then orders his favorite ice cream sundae, the "Unkwinit." Marian's teenage son, Jimmy stops by the malt shop and he and his friends are startled by the enormous sundae which Andy is surprised he cannot finish eating. At home that afternoon, Andy contacts Gordon who gives enthusiastic approval for the Chandler deal. Andy then telephones his wife Jane to share the good news. The next morning, Andy meets with Chandler and is surprised to discover the terms of their agreement have changed and that Chandler has doubled the charge per acre. When Chandler insists he has a right to make as much money as possible off of a wealthy company, Andy cancels the deal. Andy returns to City Hall and with Betty's help, spends the rest of the day trying to find another appropriate tract of land. Andy then remembers Beezy's party and upon learning that Betty has also been invited, escorts her there, arousing the jealousy of Betty's boyfriend, Jack Bailey. When Jack continues to sulk about Betty's tardiness, she tells him about Andy's confidential business problems with Chandler. Meanwhile, Beezy notices Andy's distraction and Andy explains his predicament. Beezy reveals that his father left him eighty acres of land just outside of Carvel and offers to sell a portion to Andy. Delighted, Andy accepts, then relays the news to Betty, which further aggravates Jack, who leaves the party early. The next afternoon Andy meets Beezy at his property and is overwhelmed when his friend offers it to him for a third of the price originally negotiated with Chandler. Unknown to the men, however, at a city meeting of the Octavian Service Club, Jack blithely tells Chandler about Beezy's offer to Andy. Disgruntled by the cancellation of his deal, Chandler tells the club members that Andy promised an exorbitant price for his land, then lists the number of ills that would befall Carvel should a large factory come to town. Chandler recommends re-zoning to prohibit factories in Carvel, then suggests Jack head a committee to gather signatures for the bill. Jack reluctantly accepts and later quarrels with Betty at City Hall about helping Chandler out of spite for Andy. Jack spends the rest of the afternoon gathering signatures for the petition. Upon learning of the drive, Beezy assures Andy that he will arrange with Councilman Warren to campaign for the factory. At his home, however, Beezy's wife Sally expresses misgivings about Beezy's loyalty to Andy, fearing that his support will alienate the town and bring about unpleasant ramifications for the Anderson family. Unhappily, Beezy agrees and tells Andy that he must withdraw his support. Depressed, Andy contacts Gordon who reminds him that he supported Andy's recommendation to buy land in Carvel at the board meeting. Noting Andy's gloom, Mother Hardy advises him to send for Jane and their two children to comfort him. Andy agrees and the next day Jane, Andy, Jr. and Cricket arrive in Carvel. Disheartened by a newspaper editorial attacking him, Andy seeks solace in his father's old study. Reinvigorated by thoughts of Judge Hardy, Andy tells his mother that he has resolved to fight the petition and arranges a city council meeting to debate the factory plan. That night at the council meeting, Chandler prompts associate Mr. Fitzgerald to list the numerous complaints against building the factory, including bringing noise, pollution and strangers toward Carvel. Several townspeople agree. Andy then addresses the meeting, declaring his affection for Carvel and his hope to bring economic growth and benefits to the town. Andy confesses his hurt at being depicted as an outsider and acknowledges his intention to move back to Carvel should the factory be built. Declaring that no member of the Hardy family ever fostered ill-will toward Carvel, Andy and his family depart. That afternoon, Andy, Jr. meets Andy in Judge Hardy's study to admit that he fought with a boy who slurred Andy. Andy counsels his son against fighting, but Andy, Jr. reminds his father of his own advice to stand up for one's beliefs. Touched, Andy praises his son. The next morning as Andy and his family prepare to return to California, Beezy stops by and asks to meet with Andy outside. There, Andy is startled to be greeted by Mayor Benson, Jack and several townspeople who offer Andy an apology for doubting him. The mayor declares that Andy's speech prompted many to realize that Carvel should prosper and resulted in the defeat of the re-zoning bill and a commitment to bring Gordon Aircraft to town. Stunned, Andy thanks his supporters. Mayor Benson then takes Andy and Jane into Judge Hardy's office and offers Andy the vacant judgeship. Overwhelmed, Andy hesitates, until Benson confides that he has contacted Gordon, who approves of Andy leaving his job. With Jane's warm approval, Andy accepts his appointment as the next judge of Carvel.