Andy Hardy Film Collection: Volume Two

The fifteen original Hardy family movies are real gems in MGM's crown from the late 1930's through the World War II years (I'll get to the 16th don't worry). Originally planned as a "B" movie and not a series 'A Family Affair' was the surprise hit of 1937 and caught L.B. Mayer completely off guard with it's huge success. So much so that theater owners were sending him plenty of telegrams clamoring for more Hardy family movies...especially that brash teen Andy Hardy!. Mayer knew potential when he saw it and of course he ordered more pronto...another one for 1937...three more each for 1938 and 1939..and then periodically through 1946. Of the original cast only Mickey Rooney and Sara Haden as Aunt Milly returned and all the other roles were re-cast.America fell in love with the Hardy family as it has no other since and the small town of Carvel became the center of America's small town existence with the life, loves and travails of Andy Hardy and his parents and sisters and neighbors. Lewis Stone came to embody Judge Hardy a little more nobly than Lionel Barrymore had originally played him in my opinion and acted as the anchor (ably supported by Fay Holden as Mrs. Hardy) as solidly embedded in Americana as Walt Disney's later family features ever were (who can forget he and Andy's 'mad to mad' conversations???. Not to forget Cecelia Parker as Andy's sister Marian and Ann Rutherford (who died in 2012 at 94) as Andy's long time sweetheart Polly Benedict. Later another Andy admirer named Betsy Booth (the granddaughter of the Hardy's next door neighbor) joins the whole troupe and falls hopelessly for Andy as well (played by the lady most associated with Mickey Rooney in film - the late great Judy Garland and their scenes are terrific in the Hardy series).Thus America's affair with the Hardy family spanned almost ten tumultuous years (including the WWII years). Love Laughs At Andy Hardy was the final in the original series in 1946 and then a dozen years later when MGM had fallen on hard times and was desperately trying to recreate some of its former glory came the 16th and last Hardy family film 'Andy Hardy Goes Home' which found Mickey Rooney returning to Carvel with all the original family members gathering sans Lewis Stone who had passed away in 1952. It's a poignant send off to the series tho Stone's absence is felt acutely throughout and ultimately it failed to revive the series but is fondly remembered by fans for providing some sense of closure.The movies focused mainly on Andy Hardy's High School, College and beginning of adulthood years with plenty of side plots for Judge Hardy and the family reflecting the modern concerns of small town Americans of the era. Evenly balanced between drama and comedy throughout they are wonderfully entertaining even today and imagine my surprise when my 16 year old granddaughter and 19 year old grandson sat down with me a while back and watched 'A Family Affair' and loved it!! We're moving on to the rest.Recently Warner Brothers (who acquired the rights to the MGM library) have finally released all 16 movies on two sets (single sided dvds for those curious). While not meticulously restored they are in fine shape for films from the 30's and 40's and for the first time since they were released provide access to the whole series in order (tho do your homework because they are not in order in the sets - but you can google the order and release years in 5 minutes). The Andy Hardy Film Collection Volumes 1 & 2. Volume 1 has six movies on six discs and Volume 2 has ten movies on five discs (don't ask why...just be grateful that they're finally available!).I might add that I paid for these and did not receive them through Vine for those who accost me with 'are vine reviews honest since you get the merchandise for free!' never realizing how that impugns my honesty in the question itself. Amazon is offering the two sets at very reasonable prices (cheaper than the WB Shop I can tell you!) and if you want to relive a simpler time with values that should be taught in all times then these movies are for you. Many young MGM stars of the time that went on to bigger and better parts and movies and stardom are cycled through these films and you'll always be surprised by who shows up. It's entertainment pure and simple.Trust me on this one. I know my movies.

Very wholesome , we bought the whole set and were very sad when there were no more to watch. These were made at a time when movies were made for family entertainment. Not for shock value. I thought being black and white would be disapointing, but it wasn't at all. It's amazing andy rooney was so young and such a good actor.

Great set of old Andy Hardy movies showing good old time values. This was a gift from our son and we watched and laughed through 2 or 3 movies at one setting until we had gone through volume 1 and 2 in short time.

I love these movies, especially because of Mickey Rooney! The quality of the pictures are fine except a little freezing of some scenes on disc 2. However, Andy Hardy's Blond Trouble had many scenes where the picture froze temporarily! This is a wonderful collection of family life stories!

I just discovered these treasures. Love the movies, and the quality of the dvds is great!

We have enjoyed these old Andy Hardy movies, although we did have trouble with about 4 of movies, the scenes freezing up while playing. And unfortunately we are past 2days the return Or exchange date. I know it is not our dvd player, because it plays all other DVDs just fine

The good old days!!

This is a wonderful two volume collection of the Andy Hardy Films and they are all here; BUT, I am very annoyed that they could not take the time to put the films in the correct order. If you buy both Volumes, the following is the list they should be in, in the order in which the films were released.1. A Family Affair (1937)2. You're Only Young Once (1937)3. Judge Hardy's Children (1938)4. Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)5. Out West with the Hardys (1938)6. The Hardys Ride High (1939)7. Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever (1939)8. Judge Hardy and Son (1939)[3]9. Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940)10. Andy Hardy's Private Secretary (1941)11. Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941)12. The Courtship of Andy Hardy (1942)13. Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942)14. Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble (1944)15. Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946)16. Andy Hardy Comes Home (1958)

I'm a Mickey Rooney/ Andy Hardy fan and seeing these films again brings back memories. I'm as entertained now as I was 50 years ago.

Best price for this DVD

DIe Filme sind einfach gut. Mehr muss man dazu nicht sagen. Ist zwar auf englisch aber wenn man ein bisschen englisch kann, geht das schon.

What a joy! Although collections 1 and 2 mix up the sequence of the Hardy films, which is a pain!, even almost 70 years later you can see why they were so successful and well-loved. Although Mickey Rooney is the box office smash of the time, Lewis Stone adds as much, if not more, to the stories. And fabulous to see so many starlets in their first roles - Judy Garland, Lana Turner, Donna Reed, Kathryn Grayson and Esther Williams all feature in the series (although some may be in collection 1!). Not sure these films have ever been shown on British TV so brilliant to be able to see them all.

Charming family life. Trials and teenage fun-filled concerns. Quite interesting !