Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Aedonerre I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

tavm It's almost ironic I watched this Judge Hardy's Family entry on Father's Day (yesterday) since for most of the film, Andy is away from his dad in New York City trying to make it on his own there during the summer after just graduating high school. Judy Garland-in her last series appearance-is there as Betsy Booth to lend him support though he doesn't accept her money to get by when he's initially jobless. He also has to deal with an aspiring dancer who used to live in his room and who is getting no offers. And then there's a lady in his new job who he seems to have fallen for...This was a more serious entry in the series with only a few laughs. Ms. Garland had filmed some songs as in previous entries but they were cut for supposedly breaking the flow of the drama. She and Mickey are the best thing in it and when Lewis Stone joins them, it's even more fun! Another touching father-and-son talk occurs in the restaurant scene. Oh, and I also liked Andy and Polly's goodbye scene. So on that note, Life Begins for Andy Hardy is worth seeing for those who like the series.

mam543 For a traditionally family oriented series, this film had some surprisingly downbeat tones to it. Andy has an eye-opening experience when he pursues life in the big city.Great performances by Judy Garland (as always) and Patricia Dane as the experienced older woman.

preppy-3 Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) graduates from high school and decides to move to NYC to make a fortune. His ex (I think) played by Judy Garland, lives there and tries to help him.**Slight spoiler in the next paragraph**I've avoided these Andy Hardy movies like the plague for years...I thought they'd be really syrupy. This one sure wasn't! This is pretty dark and downbeat. A character even dies! Originally he committed suicide but the studio changed that before it was released--they felt that was going too far. Still it all ends happily.The movie looks fantastic, the story flows pretty quickly...but there's too little of Judy. As Leonard Maltin said all her songs were cut out before the film was released! My guess is that they were too cheerful for the grim tone of this film.All the acting is good--top honors go to Lewis Stone (as Judge Hardy--boy, do I wish I had him as a father!), Ann Rutherford (having a good time playing the "bad girl") and Ray McDonald.Dark movie (perhaps not for the kids) but good. Worth catching.

AL01-3 Although I have enjoyed every Andy Hardy movie that I have seen, this is probably my favorite entry in the series. It is admittedly a departure from the usual light-hearted comedy of the Hardy movies, but in this case, it works.In the film, Andy leaves his sheltered small-town life for the city of New York in order to decide whether he wants to go to college or directly join the professional ranks. Andy's dilemma hit home with me when I first saw this film a few years ago since it was a decision that I was facing myself. Many younger viewers will probably be able to relate to the issues and problems that Andy must deal with as he attempts to make the transition from carefree adolescence to adulthood.Mickey Rooney gives a good performance as Andy Hardy, as does Judy Garland in the role of Betsey Booth. This picture is not as cheerful as most entries in the series, but the most melancholy aspect of this film is the fact that it is Garland's last appearance as Betsey. Betsey is one of the most entertaining characters in the series of movies, and it's unfortunate that she only appears in three of the films.Overall, this is a very good, although different, entry into the Andy Hardy series of movies.