Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940)

Director:  George B. Seitz
Cast:  Lewis Stone, Mickey Rooney, Cecilia Parker, Fay Holden, Judy Garland

Well, Happy New Year, everyone!  Sorry, I haven't been reviewing in a while, but I'll be reviewing two films today.

PLOT:  The film starts off interestingly.  I say that because the film fades into an opening scene of Andy (the now late and great Rooney) sleeping next to a magazine featuring his crush, socialite Daphne Fowler (Diana Lewis), as the front page.  Interesting for a post-code picture.

Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone) has to go to New York to work on a case involving an orphanage and decides to take the whole family.  Andy is reluctant to go because Polly Benedict (Ann Rutherford) and Beezy Anderson (George P. Breakston) printed the story about how he knows Daphne in the school newspaper.  Typical high school drama, even in the 40s!

While in New York, Andy runs into an old friend, Betty Booth (Judy Garland).  However, desperate to find Miss Fowler, he asks his mother (Fay Holden) to write a letter of recommendation for Miss Fowler.  He takes the letter to Daphne, but her mother pushes him away.

Andy goes to a restaurant and is unable to pay the bill.  Meaanwhile, Judge Hardy is able to solve the orphanage case.  By some luck, Betty knows Daphne, so she takes Andy to a high-society party where he finally meets her and shuts his gigantic mouth.  They kiss, even though they don't want to and promise to write to each other.

REVIEW:  As with any Andy Hardy film, this film is funny and light-hearted.  It's always fun to see Andy come of age and, in this film, fail miserably at Roman history.  Judy, who I normally find unbearable, sings 2 songs:  "Alone" and "Nobody's Baby" beautifully.  4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer: