Love Finds Andy Hardy

1h 30m 1938
Love Finds Andy Hardy

Brief Synopsis

A small-town boy tries to juggle two girlfriends at once.

Cast & Crew

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George B. Seitz

Director

Lewis Stone

Judge James [K.] Hardy

Mickey Rooney

Andrew Hardy

Cecilia Parker

Marian Hardy

Fay Holden

Mrs. [Emily] Hardy

Judy Garland

Betsy [Booth]

Photos & Videos

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Love Finds Andy Hardy - Publicity Stills
10 Photos
Alicia Malone Intro -- The Half-Naked Truth (1933)
Ben Mankiewicz Intro -- Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)
Ben Mankiewicz Intro -- Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)
Love Finds Andy Hardy - (Original Trailer)

Film Details

Genre
Comedy
Classic Hollywood
Drama
Romantic Comedy
Sequel
Release Date
Jul 22, 1938
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp.
Distribution Company
Loew's Inc.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
From the stories by Vivien R. Bretherton and based on characters created by Aurania Rouverol.

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 30m
Sound
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
9 reels

Synopsis

Andy Hardy, the teen-aged son of prominent Carvel judge James K. Hardy, thinks that he will be a social outcast if he doesn't have his own car for the Christmas Eve dance, so he takes twelve dollars out of his savings account to make a down payment on an old jalopy. Car dealer Peter Dugan makes Andy sign a promissory note for the remaining eight dollars, which Andy must pay by December 24th. Andy's plans for a great Christmas are dampened when his girl friend, Polly Benedict, has to go away for the holidays, and also when Mrs. Hardy must go to Canada to visit her ailing mother.

He temporarily finds hope when his friend Beezy offers to pay him eight dollars to take his own girl, Cynthia Potter, to the dance so no other boy will steal her away, but his plans backfire when Beezy sends a letter saying that he has met a new girl and no longer needs Andy's services. Andy decides to go with her anyway, even though Polly has come back to town, because Cynthia is gorgeous and loves to kiss. Judge Hardy saves Andy from Dugan's legal action when he gives Andy the eight dollars for helping him send a ham radio message to Mrs. Hardy. Everything seems perfect for Andy until Cynthia cancels their date (after twelve-year-old Betsy Booth shows her an old wreck and says that it is his new car) and Polly refuses to have anything to do with him.

Betsy, who has a crush on Andy, helps him out by wearing a grown-up evening gown, which her mother has sent her from New York, and asking to go with him to the dance. Although she is the youngest girl there, Betsy is the hit of the dance. The band leader recognizes her as the talented daughter of famous musical comedy star Martha Draper, and she sings for the cheering guests. Feeling humiliated, Polly goes home, still not speaking to Andy. On Christmas Day, everything turns out all right, though, when Mrs. Hardy returns, and Betsy convinces Polly that Andy has been the victim of circumstances, enabling them to resume their romance.

Director

George B. Seitz

Director

Cast

Lewis Stone

Judge James [K.] Hardy

Mickey Rooney

Andrew Hardy

Cecilia Parker

Marian Hardy

Fay Holden

Mrs. [Emily] Hardy

Judy Garland

Betsy [Booth]

Lana Turner

Cynthia [Potter]

Ann Rutherford

Polly Benedict

Mary Howard

Mrs. [Mary] Tompkins

Gene Reynolds

Jimmy MacMahon

Don Castle

Dennis Hunt

Marie Blake

Augusta

George Breakston

"Beezy"

Raymond Hatton

Peter Dugan

Frank Darien

Bill collector [Mr. Barnes]

Rand Brooks

Young man on bandstand

Erville Alderson

Court attendant

Ann Bupp

Crew

Tom Andre

Assistant Director

John Dawn

Make-up artist

Howard Dietz

Press rep

Roger Edens

Composer

Roger Edens

Vocal arrangements by

Cedric Gibbons

Art Director

Mack Gordon

Composer

Jeanne

Wardrobe

Ben Lewis

Film Editor

William Ludwig

Screenwriter

Lou Ostrow

Producer

Harry Revel

Composer

Stan Rogers

Art Director Associate

Douglas Shearer

Recording Director

David Snell

Music Score

Lester White

Photography

Photo Collections

10 Photos
Love Finds Andy Hardy - Publicity Stills
Here are some publicity stills from Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938), starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

Videos

Movie Clip

Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) -- (Movie Clip) Half A Woman's Love Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone) strolling home when he meets new temporary neighbor Betsy (Judy Garland, her first scene), who seems to be a fan of his son (Mickey Rooney, not seen), then offers wisdom for upset daughter Mary (Cecilia Parker), in Love Finds Andy Hardy, 1938.
Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) -- (Movie Clip) Social Outcast Andy (Mickey Rooney) scheming with Dugan (Raymond Hatton) to buy his first car, then thwarted by girlfriend Polly (Ann Rutherford) who, it turns out, won't be around for the Christmas dance, early in Love Finds Andy Hardy, 1938, featuring Judy Garland and Lana Turner.
Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) -- (Movie Clip) High Class Ice Cream Soda Never was Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) more up against it, trying to convince 12-year-old Betsy (Judy Garland), who might supply the eight bucks he needs, that he's not interested in Cynthia (Lana Turner!) whom he has, in fact, been hired by a friend to escort, in Love Finds Andy Hardy, 1938.

Trailer

Love Finds Andy Hardy - (Original Trailer) A small-town boy tries to juggle two girlfriends at once in Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938), starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.

Hosted Intro

Intro Aired: Aug 2018
Alicia Malone Intro -- The Half-Naked Truth (1933) TCM’s Alicia Malone introduces Love Finds Andy Hardy, 1938.
Intro Aired: May 2018
Alicia Malone Intro -- Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) Guest host Alicia Malone introduces Love Finds Andy Hardy, 1938.
Intro Aired: Dec 2017
Ben Mankiewicz Intro -- Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) Ben Mankiewicz introduces Love Finds Andy Hardy, 1938.
Intro Aired: Dec 2017
Ben Mankiewicz Intro -- Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) Ben Mankiewicz introduces Love Finds Andy Hardy, 1938.
Intro Aired: Apr 2016
Ben Mankiewicz Intro -- Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) Ben Mankiewicz introduces Love Finds Andy Hardy, 1938.

Film Details

Genre
Comedy
Classic Hollywood
Drama
Romantic Comedy
Sequel
Release Date
Jul 22, 1938
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp.
Distribution Company
Loew's Inc.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
From the stories by Vivien R. Bretherton and based on characters created by Aurania Rouverol.

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 30m
Sound
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
9 reels

Articles

Love Finds Andy Hardy

June 25, 2003
Who will be Andy's date at the Christmas Eve country club dance in good old Carvel, U.S.A? That's the crux of the plot in Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938), with irrepressible Mickey Rooney in his fourth of 16 outings as the quintessential small-town American teenager. The Hardy pictures were a regular showcase for up-and-coming young actresses at MGM, and in this case there was Lana Turner as a teenage temptress invited to the dance by Andy. Trouble is, he also has invited his girlfriend, Polly Benedict, played throughout the series by Ann Rutherford.

"I end up with neither of them," Rooney wrote, speaking as his Andy Hardy persona in his 1991 autobiography, Life Is too Short. "But I manage to go to the party anyway, with none other than Betsy Booth, a girl who was a real good sport and, boy, could she sing and dance, too, and just be, well, like a girl you knew and liked and could just talk to and be real with. I am writing here (I guess you've already figured this) about Judy Garland, who took this part while she was waiting for Arthur Freed to put together the team that would make The Wizard of Oz."

Rooney recalled Garland's "wistful smile" when the gorgeous Turner would pass her on the set, leading him to believe that Judy envied Lana's beauty and glamour. But Garland took a back seat to no one in the talent department, as she proves with her three numbers in Love Finds Andy Hardy: "In Between," "It Never Rains But It Pours" and "Meet the Beat of My Heart."

After her triumph in The Wizard of Oz (1939), Garland would return to the role of Betsy opposite Rooney's Andy in Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940) and Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941). The youthful pair's sensational teamwork also was showcased in a series of legendary "let's-put-on-a-show" musicals including Babes in Arms (1939), Strike Up the Band (1940) and Babes on Broadway (1941).

Producer: Lou L. Ostrow, Carey Wilson (both uncredited)
Director: George B. Seitz
Screenplay: William Ludwig, Vivien R. Bretherton (stories)
Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Stan Rogers (Associate)
Cinematography: Lester White
Editing: Ben Lewis
Original Music: Roger Edens, Mack Gordon, Harry Revel, David Snell
Vocal arrangements: Roger Edens
Principal Cast: Mickey Rooney (Andrew "Andy" Hardy), Lewis Stone (Judge James K. Hardy), Fay Holden (Mrs. Emily Hardy), Cecilia Parker (Marian Hardy), Judy Garland (Betsy Booth), Lana Turner (Cynthia Potter), Ann Rutherford (Polly Benedict).
BW-92m. Close captioning.

by Roger Fristoe
Love Finds Andy Hardy

Love Finds Andy Hardy

Who will be Andy's date at the Christmas Eve country club dance in good old Carvel, U.S.A? That's the crux of the plot in Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938), with irrepressible Mickey Rooney in his fourth of 16 outings as the quintessential small-town American teenager. The Hardy pictures were a regular showcase for up-and-coming young actresses at MGM, and in this case there was Lana Turner as a teenage temptress invited to the dance by Andy. Trouble is, he also has invited his girlfriend, Polly Benedict, played throughout the series by Ann Rutherford. "I end up with neither of them," Rooney wrote, speaking as his Andy Hardy persona in his 1991 autobiography, Life Is too Short. "But I manage to go to the party anyway, with none other than Betsy Booth, a girl who was a real good sport and, boy, could she sing and dance, too, and just be, well, like a girl you knew and liked and could just talk to and be real with. I am writing here (I guess you've already figured this) about Judy Garland, who took this part while she was waiting for Arthur Freed to put together the team that would make The Wizard of Oz." Rooney recalled Garland's "wistful smile" when the gorgeous Turner would pass her on the set, leading him to believe that Judy envied Lana's beauty and glamour. But Garland took a back seat to no one in the talent department, as she proves with her three numbers in Love Finds Andy Hardy: "In Between," "It Never Rains But It Pours" and "Meet the Beat of My Heart." After her triumph in The Wizard of Oz (1939), Garland would return to the role of Betsy opposite Rooney's Andy in Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940) and Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941). The youthful pair's sensational teamwork also was showcased in a series of legendary "let's-put-on-a-show" musicals including Babes in Arms (1939), Strike Up the Band (1940) and Babes on Broadway (1941). Producer: Lou L. Ostrow, Carey Wilson (both uncredited) Director: George B. Seitz Screenplay: William Ludwig, Vivien R. Bretherton (stories) Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Stan Rogers (Associate) Cinematography: Lester White Editing: Ben Lewis Original Music: Roger Edens, Mack Gordon, Harry Revel, David Snell Vocal arrangements: Roger Edens Principal Cast: Mickey Rooney (Andrew "Andy" Hardy), Lewis Stone (Judge James K. Hardy), Fay Holden (Mrs. Emily Hardy), Cecilia Parker (Marian Hardy), Judy Garland (Betsy Booth), Lana Turner (Cynthia Potter), Ann Rutherford (Polly Benedict). BW-92m. Close captioning. by Roger Fristoe

Love Finds Andy Hardy on DVD

June 17, 2004
Who will be Andy's date at the Christmas Eve country club dance in good old Carvel, U.S.A? That's the crux of the plot in Love Finds Andy Hardy (now on DVD from Warner Video), with irrepressible Mickey Rooney in his fourth of 16 outings as the quintessential small-town American teenager. The Hardy pictures were a regular showcase for up-and-coming young actresses at MGM, and in this case there was Lana Turner as a teenage temptress invited to the dance by Andy. Trouble is, he also has invited his girlfriend, Polly Benedict, played throughout the series by Ann Rutherford.

"I end up with neither of them," Rooney wrote, speaking as his Andy Hardy persona in his 1991 autobiography, Life Is too Short. "But I manage to go to the party anyway, with none other than Betsy Booth, a girl who was a real good sport and, boy, could she sing and dance, too, and just be, well, like a girl you knew and liked and could just talk to and be real with. I am writing here (I guess you've already figured this) about Judy Garland, who took this part while she was waiting for Arthur Freed to put together the team that would make The Wizard of Oz."

Rooney recalled Garland's "wistful smile" when the gorgeous Turner would pass her on the set, leading him to believe that Judy envied Lana's beauty and glamour. But Garland took a back seat to no one in the talent department, as she proves with her three numbers in Love Finds Andy Hardy: "In Between," "It Never Rains But It Pours" and "Meet the Beat of My Heart."

After her triumph in The Wizard of Oz (1939), Garland would return to the role of Betsy opposite Rooney's Andy in Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940) and Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941). The youthful pair's sensational teamwork also was showcased in a series of legendary "let's-put-on-a-show" musicals including Babes in Arms (1939), Strike Up the Band (1940) and Babes on Broadway (1941).

The Warner Video DVD of Love Finds Andy Hardy sports a crisp black and white transfer with a minimum of speckling and dirt damage. The modest extras include a trailer gallery, trailers for this film, Life Begins For Andy Hardy, a Hardy Family promotional Christmas trailer, and a featurette, Leo is on the Air. The latter was a popular radio series in the thirties and the episode on this disc includes an extended audio clip from Love Finds Andy Hardy and two musical numbers from the film.

For more information about Love Finds Andy Hardy, visit Warner Video. To order Love Finds Andy Hardy, go to TCM Shopping.

by Roger Fristoe

Love Finds Andy Hardy on DVD

Who will be Andy's date at the Christmas Eve country club dance in good old Carvel, U.S.A? That's the crux of the plot in Love Finds Andy Hardy (now on DVD from Warner Video), with irrepressible Mickey Rooney in his fourth of 16 outings as the quintessential small-town American teenager. The Hardy pictures were a regular showcase for up-and-coming young actresses at MGM, and in this case there was Lana Turner as a teenage temptress invited to the dance by Andy. Trouble is, he also has invited his girlfriend, Polly Benedict, played throughout the series by Ann Rutherford. "I end up with neither of them," Rooney wrote, speaking as his Andy Hardy persona in his 1991 autobiography, Life Is too Short. "But I manage to go to the party anyway, with none other than Betsy Booth, a girl who was a real good sport and, boy, could she sing and dance, too, and just be, well, like a girl you knew and liked and could just talk to and be real with. I am writing here (I guess you've already figured this) about Judy Garland, who took this part while she was waiting for Arthur Freed to put together the team that would make The Wizard of Oz." Rooney recalled Garland's "wistful smile" when the gorgeous Turner would pass her on the set, leading him to believe that Judy envied Lana's beauty and glamour. But Garland took a back seat to no one in the talent department, as she proves with her three numbers in Love Finds Andy Hardy: "In Between," "It Never Rains But It Pours" and "Meet the Beat of My Heart." After her triumph in The Wizard of Oz (1939), Garland would return to the role of Betsy opposite Rooney's Andy in Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940) and Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941). The youthful pair's sensational teamwork also was showcased in a series of legendary "let's-put-on-a-show" musicals including Babes in Arms (1939), Strike Up the Band (1940) and Babes on Broadway (1941). The Warner Video DVD of Love Finds Andy Hardy sports a crisp black and white transfer with a minimum of speckling and dirt damage. The modest extras include a trailer gallery, trailers for this film, Life Begins For Andy Hardy, a Hardy Family promotional Christmas trailer, and a featurette, Leo is on the Air. The latter was a popular radio series in the thirties and the episode on this disc includes an extended audio clip from Love Finds Andy Hardy and two musical numbers from the film. For more information about Love Finds Andy Hardy, visit Warner Video. To order Love Finds Andy Hardy, go to TCM Shopping. by Roger Fristoe

Quotes

I sing, you know.
- Betsy Booth

Trivia

Notes

The opening title card shows a group picture of Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Fay Holden and Cecilia Parker, with their names superimposed. The next title card reads, "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Presents Judge Hardy's Family in," followed by the main title card. Love Finds Andy Hardy placed ninth in Film Daily's annual poll of the top films of the year. According to Hollywood Reporter news items, Mickey Rooney began to receive "Star" billing in subsequent films due to his success in Love Finds Andy Hardy, and he worked on this film simultaneously with Boys Town. It was the fourth in M-G-M's Hardy Family Series and the first in which Judy Garland played the recurring character of Betsy Booth. This was the second of two films in which actress Betty Ross Clarke portrayed "Aunt Milly." The other films in the series featured Sara Haden in the role. For more information on the Hardy Family series see the entry above for A Family Affair and consult the Series Index.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States 1938

Selected in 2000 for inclusion in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry.

Released in United States 1938

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