vincentlynch-moonoi Was Judge Hardy the penultimate American father? Perhaps he was. At least it seems so in this episode of the Hardy family. Make no mistake, in many ways this is not that much different than many of the Hardy family stories, although it takes place in a different setting -- Catalina Island in California where the Hardys are on a vacation. And the judge is having to work through a tragedy in the making which may cost his family their home. But watch for the interactions between the judge and his two children. He carefully gives each of them some leeway as they are maturing, but knows exactly when to hold out a hand that says slow down. It's really quite interesting, and is why this is one of the best of the Hardy films.Lewis Stone is superb as Judge Hardy; makes you wonder what he was like in real life. Cecilia Parker is dependable as Mother Hardy. Mickey Rooney is...well, young Mickey Rooney. Fay Holden doesn't have a lot of screen time here as the aunt, although she is my favorite of the two actresses which played the part. We see a lot less of Ann Rutherford here as Polly Benedict.If I had to pick one Andy Hardy movie to watch, it might be this one.

bkoganbing 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.

CitizenCaine 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.

xerses13 The Series Film in the Hollywood of the 1930s through 1950s was the equivalent to a long running T.V. show. The same cast and characters came back on a regular basis to entertain the viewing audience. Or in case of Radio the listening one (1). All the studios at that time had some sort of series. PARAMOUNT the long running HOPALONG CASSIDY starring William Boyd. UNIVERSAL in the 40s featured Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as SHERLOCK HOLMES and DOCTOR WATSON. WARNER BROTHERS (WB) would display Warren William (primarily) as PERRY MASON or a variety of actors as PHILO VANCE as well as TORCHY BLANE with Glenda Farrell. COLUMBIA, ELLERY QUEEN and 20th CENTURY FOX, CHARLIE CHAN. All minor studios would feature WESTERN series and lets not forget the seemingly endless adventures of what became THE BOWERY BOYS! There were many more, but it was at METRO GOLDWYN MAYER (M.G.M.) that three (3) of the most popular series were created. After the death of its creative genius IRVING THALBERG (09/14/1936) LOUIS B. MAYER, head of the studio quickly acted to maintain the production schedule and to continue the high profitability that the NEW YORK office expected. Series production was part of his solution. DOCTOR KILDARE featuring Lew Aryes and Lionel Barrymore which segued to the DOCTOR GILLESPIE series. MAISIE with the attractive and quick tongued Ann Southern and best remembered ANDREW 'Andy' HARDY. The longest of the M.G.M. series with sixteen (16) films.The ANDY HARDY series started modestly enough with a pilot (just like they do today) called A FAMILY AFFAIR (1937) with Lionel Barrymore heading the cast as JUDGE JAMES K. HARDY, Spring Byington as MRS EMILY HARDY and Mickey Rooney, ANDY. With the success of this one the series really got going with YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG ONCE (1937). Barrymores physical condition was not up to this series and Byington was to much in demand, so adjustments had to be made. Cast changes were Lewis Stone as JUDGE HARDY, Fay Holden; MRS. HARDY, coming back Mickey Rooney; ANDY as well as Cecilia Parker; MARIAN, Sara Haden; AUNT MILLIE FORREST with Ann Rutherford; POLLY BENEDICT. The series would also feature many character actors under contract to M.G.M. as well as up and comers. Some who would go on to greater things such as Donna Reed and Lana Turner and others would enter oblivion like Helen Gilbert.The sixteen (16) films can be divided into two (2) parts, the first eight (8) and the second eight (8) ending with ANDY HARDY COMES HOME (1958) reuniting the cast except the late Lewis Stone (09/12/1953). The first eight (8) are of better quality and more balanced with each of the cast getting its fair share of screen time and having their problems addressed. Starting with ANDY HARDY MEETS DEBUTANTE (1940) the focus became ANDY & JUDGE HARDY with the rest there just to fill in. Sort of what happened to LOST IN SPACE (T.V.1965-1968) when after the first season it became the DR. SMITH, ROBOT & WILL show.The rating we gave, IMDb value of six (6)****** is a good overview of the entire series. It being better then average but not classics in any sense of the word but well worth watching. Our advice is to watch series films like this one (1) at time and no more then three (3) in sequence. When you make a marathon of these series their shortcoming become all to obvious and irritating. A note to those message board whiners, remakes and sequels are a long time reality of this industry so stop whining about it and move on.