the leading man is my tpye

Memorable, crazy movie

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Producer: George B. Seitz. An MGM Picture, copyright 1 July 1940 by Loew's Inc. New York opening at the Capitol: 1 August 1940. U.S. release: 5 July 1940. 9 reels. 89 minutes.SYNOPSIS: The deb in question is not Judy Garland but Diana Lewis. Needless to say, the gormless Andy pursues this attractive young lady with his customary vigor, so that by film's end he can confide to his pal, Betsy Booth, that Deb Daphne was "just another milestone in my career."NOTES: In 1942, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented a Special Award to MGM "for its achievement in representing the American Way of Life in the production of the Andy Hardy series of films".COMMENT: Produced and directed by George B. Seitz is definitely not information that will thrill many movie buffs. Worst still, we are all forced to wait 20 minutes for Judy Garland to come on and an equal length of time for her to sing "Alone". As might be expected, this and Miss Garland's other number are at least two points of interest in this tedious, sententious, and embarrassingly gauche piece of boredom. The direction is as dull as usual and the acting as hammy.Admittedly, Diana Lewis is also winning lass, but she loses out in all her efforts to offset the camera-hogging of her team-mate, Mickey Rooney. And to say the least, I would definitely label this one as a definitely very lesser endeavor of the aforesaid Mick, also known as Joseph Yule, Jr.

I have found that the Andy Hardy films are enjoyable light entertainment--certainly not great films but likable nonetheless. However, this installment is the first I've seen from the series in which I didn't like Andy...a serious problem. While he's always been rather sweet and likable, here he seems like a phony--a social- climber who often disregards those around him. It all begins with Andy (Mickey Rooney) creating a lie to impress his friends. He tells them that he's friends with a famous New York débutante, Daphne Fowler. But when his father announces that they family is going to New York because he has business, Andy panics. Instead of just telling the truth, he just tells one lie after another. When the family arrives in the city, they are met by Betsy (Judy Garland) and she plans on doing her best to make sure the family has a great visit. She also helps Andy without question in his scheme to meet Daphne...and it's obvious she's doing it because she is in love with Andy. How is it obvious? She sings a song all about it...which is what most young adults do when they are faced with problems. Despite her help, Andy digs a hole for himself because he's much more concerned about looking big in society instead of caring for everyone around him. At one point, a restaurant owner tells Andy "I think you need a good spanking"...and I heartily agree! He has been a complete jerk throughout the film. Can he possibly redeem himself or will he just digging his self-absorbed hole even deeper?There is a HUGE problem with a sense of perspective in this film. Andy whines and mopes and complains that his family isn't rich instead of just telling the truth and being a stand-up guy...and it's made worse since Judge Hardy is in New York because the local orphanage has lost its funding...a far, far, far more important problem. Again and again, I just wanted to see someone bust Andy in the mouth and tell him to grow up and shut up! Eventually he learns his lesson in this heavy-handed film but he's simply insufferable in the meantime...making it one of the worst films in the series. Had they had more balance and made Andy not quite so awful, it would have worked much, much better.

What were the most memorable parts of the film? 1. The title, which could probably benefit from a "the." 2. The goofy scene where the judge gives a small child to a strange man, who will keep the boy for the day and have fun with him. OK...3. The fact that when the Hardys visit New York City, there's a story about it in the local newspaper. And it's the lead story on the front page. (Man, that must be a small town, if people going away constitutes news.) I hope nobody broke into their house while they were away.4. The final image of the film, which seems to hint at Mickey Rooney's future marital life. (He was married a lot.)

A movie made 60yrs ago, is still one of my favourites. If you want a light-hearted comedy, superbly acted & directed this may be the movie for you. Judy Garland was beautiful (as ever!) & her radiance in this film is one of the highlights. One could wax lyrical for ages about this film, but I won't. Just when you get the opportunity to view this film, do it. You won't be disappointed.