Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941)
With his high school graduation behind him, Andy Hardy decides that as an adult, it's time to start living his life. Judge Hardy had hoped that his son would go to college and study law, but Andy isn't sure that's what he wants to do so he heads off to New York City to find a job. Too proud to accept any help from Betsy Booth, Andy finds that living on his own isn't so easy. With perseverance he eventually finds a job and even gets to date the pretty receptionist in his office. He also has to face several of life's lessons leading him to conclude that he may still have a bit of growing up to do.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Similar titles
Reviews
Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!
The Age of Commercialism
Simply Perfect
Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast
The darkest of the Andy Hardy films, "Life Begins" is a startling departure from the usual small-town antics of young Hardy. Andy decides to move to the big city rather than attend college. There, he discovers the harsh realities of finances, unemployment, and lack of a support system. But it's his choice to eschew the support of family and his friend Betsy (Judy Garland). He struggles, but sticks to his principles.Judy Garland's part is smaller than originally intended, but she is splendid in her role. The real surprise of the film is Patricia Dane who plays Jennitt Hicks, an experienced woman of the city who helps him find a job. Miss Dane's striking presence on screen had me wondering why I was not familiar with her film work. A review of her bio revealed that her career was brief and controversial, and unfortunate.The Andy Hardy films often discuss the concept of becoming a man. This film addresses the real meaning of manhood in direct and sophisticated ways. Though Andy retains his boyish charm, he certainly crosses a threshold in this film.As with all the films in this series, there are morals to learn, but they are not as simplistic or obvious. The film suffers from competing concepts that result in a schizophrenic story and unrealized potential, but the remaining elements are still interesting, especially those involving Miss Dane.
his Andy Hardy installment finds Andy graduated from high school and trying to decide what to do next. Judge Hardy wants him to go to college and then law school whereas Andy wants to go off to the big city for a month and see what life would be like working and paying his own way. Andy agrees to try this for a month and then reassess what to do next. Unfortunately for Andy, this is the tail end of the Depression and finding a job is not easy. But through it all, Andy refuses to ask his family for help and struggles to make his own way. I would say this might just be the darkest of all the movies in the series, as it's not nearly as light-hearted as usual and, at times, is super-morbid...such as when one of Andy's friends is found dead!! But I appreciate the film because the usually feather-weight series takes a more dramatic and realistic turn. Well worth seeing.By the way, this film marks the third and final time Judy Garland appeared in the series and Betsy just disappears after this one.
George B. Seitz directs this hard hitting, downbeat and possibly the best of the Andy Hardy series. Andy(Mickey Rooney)makes a deal with his father(Lewis Stone)to spend a week in New York City savoring a slice of life before entering college. Andy discovers that finding a job and working is sobering and easier said than done. And some things will always stay the same ...when there is a nice looking female around; Andy is easily love struck. This is the last of the Hardy series to feature Judy Garland. Rounding out the cast are: Fay Holden, Amm Rutherford, Patricia Dane and Ray McDonald. The Andy Hardy films are so easy to relax with.
For a traditionally family oriented series, this film had some surprisingly downbeat tones to it. Andy has an eye-opening experience when he pursues life in the big city.Great performances by Judy Garland (as always) and Patricia Dane as the experienced older woman.