Love Laughs at Andy Hardy

"It's eighty-five dollars. Why you're a millionaire!"

Judge (Stone) and Emily (Holden) Hardy are overjoyed to learn that their son Andy (Rooney) is coming home after 2 years in the Army.  Andy is happy to be a civilian again, but is eager to return to college.  He wants to propose to Kay Wilson (Granville), his college sweetheart, but his parents do not agree with the plan.

Shortly after arriving at school he runs into Kay and asks her to the freshman dance.  He also runs into his old friend, Duke Johnson (Hackett), who talks him into being the chair of the freshman dance.  Kay has to go home for a family emergency and continually avoids conversations with Andy.  Andy needs needs a date for the dance and asks freshman Coffy Smith (Ford).


Mickey Rooney made 16 Andy Hardy films.  The series began in 1937 with A Family Affair.  The series was produced by MGM and they used it as a platform to introduce new stars.  This was the penultimate film in the series (the final film in the series, Andy Hardy Comes Home, debuted 12 years later).  The series revolved around the Hardy family, specifically the relationship between the Judge and Andy.  This is the only film I've seen in this series, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and want to watch more.

My favorite part of the film is Rooney dancing with Dorothy Ford (picture above).  Rooney was 5'2" and Ford was 6'2", and they have to get creative to dance together... but it works and you can't help but smile during the song.

The characters are endearing and heart-felt.  It is a funny, family comedy and definitely worth checking into.

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946) 95 minutes
Director: Willis Goldbeck
Starring: Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy
Lewis Stone as Judge Hardy
Sara Haden as Aunt Milly
Bonita Granville as Kay Wilson
Lina Romay as Isobel Gonzales
Fay Holden as Mrs. Hardy
Dorothy Ford as Coffy Smith
Hal Hackett as Duke Johnson