To me, this movie is perfection.

Absolutely Brilliant!

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Just watched this, the second of the Hardy family series. While Mickey Rooney, Cecilia Parker, and Sara Haden return from A Family Affair, Lewis Stone and Sara Holden take over from Lionel Barrymore and Spring Byington, respectively. Some loose ends are tied from the previous film but the bulk takes place on Catalina Island for a family vacation. Both Andy and Marian meet someone they fall for despite both having someone else they're pining for. By the way, Andy's home girlfriend Polly, played previously by Margaret Marquis, is now played here by Ann Rutherford. She's certainly better-looking than her predecessor, that's for sure! This one's more light-hearted than it's predecessor, a tone that remains for most of the series' run. The fact that this was basically a series entry is driven home by the fact that after "The End" shows on screen, Lewis Stone then comes back on screen and tells us to expect more adventures of his family again soon! I'll certainly be coming back for more so watch this space under my username for further reviews of more Hardy family adventures...

You're Only Young Once is the second film in the Hardy family series from MGM, the first to introduce Lewis Stone, Fay Holden, and Ann Rutherford in their roles in the series and the last to not mention the word 'Hardy' in the title. Quite a lot of precedents I must say.Lewis Stone has decided the family needs a vacation and he's fixed Catalina Island as the destination of his choice because he wants to get in some deep sea fishing after swordfish. The others all have different ideas, but Stone not a dictatorial tyrant by any means, he brings them all around with charm and sweet reason.It wouldn't be a Hardy family movie without some young romance. Mickey Rooney falls Eleanor Lynn, child of a several times married woman who is in Reno shedding husband number 4 and leaving Lynn to her own devices. And Cecilia Parker finds handsome lifeguard Ted Pearson on the beach and he's already married.In the meantime back at the ranch known as their hometown of Carvel, the Judge has co-signed a loan for his friend Frank Craven which has come due and the Hardy home is in jeopardy. But Stone isn't a judge for nothing and the trip to Catalina actually gives him the idea on how to save the situation. For that you watch the movie.The death of Mickey Rooney has removed the last survivor of this and a whole slew of films. Mickey is at once, brash, eager, charming, a bit naive and a devoted son. It's probably how all his fans remember him.The Hardy series with its family revamped and set for the duration gives us a good one in You're Only Young Once.

The second Andy Hardy film has Judge Hardy, now played by Lewis Stone, quietly manipulating his family into a vacation on Catalina Island, so he can go fishing. Once there, Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) and big sister Marian (Cecilia Parker) get into romantic entanglements bigger than either bargained for. Emily Hardy, the Spring Byington role in the first film, is now played by Fay Holden. Mrs. Hardy manages to keep the family together, as Judge Hardy has to impart a couple important lessons about the ways of the world to Andy and Marian and then has to save the family from financial ruin. Eleanor Lynn, in a rare film appearance, is Geraldine 'Jerry' Lane, Andy's much too sophisticated for her own good girlfriend on Catalina Island. Ann Rutherford makes her first appearance as Andy Hardy's girl, the long suffering Polly Benedict in this film. Frank Craven continues the role of Frank Redmond, newspaper owner, initiated by Charlie Grapewin in the first film. Sara Haden and Selmer Jackson continue their roles as Aunt Milly and Hoyt Wells respectively. It's good old wholesome family fun. **1/2 of 4 stars.

As the family vacations on Catalina Island, Judge Hardy puts the family estate at risk, Andy travels with a "fast" girl and sister Marion dates a married (heavens!!) man. Good fun, and a glimpse at a by-gone era, with of course the obligatory "man to man talk."