Judy Garland made only three appearances in the "Andy Hardy" series. However, due to her success in the films, along with her chemistry with co-star Mickey Rooney, and the popularity of the seven other films they made together, most people assume that she was in all of the films in the series.
Judy played Betsy Booth, the [visiting] girl-next-door whom Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) barely notices until the end of the films, excepting her last series appearance in Life Begins For Andy Hardy (1941). The role is really a "throw-away" for Judy and her talents, but it gave her a chance to initially gain more exposure with moviegoers, sing a few popular songs and, more importantly, work with Rooney. They also helped form Judy's screen image as the girl-next-door, which would prove to be an important aspect of her connection with audiences.
The series itself was hugely popular, the most popular being the three that Judy appeared in. The quintessential Hardy film, the one that most people remember as the best example of the series, is the one with Judy's first appearance Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938). All of the elements are there, Andy's dilemma with girls, the "man to man" talks with Dad, and the happy resolve of all the dramatics at the end of the film, and lessons learned.
For details about Judy Garland's short films made after she signed with MGM, go to The Judy Garland Shorts Page.
Judy's first appearance as Betsy Booth, visiting the fictional town of Carvel right next door to Andy and his family. Judy made the film between April and June of 1938, just a few months after Variety announced on February 24th that MGM would make a film of The Wizard Of Oz with Judy as the star. During filming, on May 23, 1938, Judy was in a car accident which sprained her back, punctured a lung, and gave her three broken ribs. A testament to her recuperative powers, she bounced back and returned to the Hardy set on June 11, 1938, the day after her sixteenth birthday. This was Judy's second pairing with Mickey Rooney. The film was released July 22, 1938 and is currently on DVD. |
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CAST: Lewis Stone as Judge James K. Hardy Mickey Rooney as Andrew Hardy Cecilia Parker as Marian Hardy Fay Holden as Mrs. Hardy Judy Garland as Betsy Booth Lana Turner as Cynthia Potter Ann Rutherford as Polly Benedict Mary Howard as Mrs. Tompkins Gene Reynolds as Jimmy MacMahon Don Castle as Dennis Hunt Betty Ross Clarke as Aunt Milly Marie Blake as Augusta George Breakston as Francis Bacon Anderson ("Beezy") Raymond Hatton as Peter Du |
CREW: Producer: Carey Wilson Director: George B. Seitz Screenplay: William Ludwig Based on stories by Vivian B. Bretherton and characters by Aurania Rouverol Musical Score: David Snell Song Score: Mack Gordon and Harry Revel, Roger Edens Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Stan Rogers Wardrobe: Jeanne Sound: Douglas Shearer Cinematography: Lester White Film Editing: Ben Lewis |
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SONGS: It Never Rains But What It Pours & Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen (outtake) (both recorded June 21, 1938). In Between & Meet The Beat Of My Heart (both recorded June 24, 1938). The pre-recordings of all of these tracks are available on Judy Garland - Collector's Gems From The MGM Films. |
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Judy's second appearance in the series. This time Betsy is in New York, with Andy visiting, meeting, and falling for the debutante of the title. Judy filmed her scenes between February and April, 1940, while also filming Strike Up The Band. The film was released in July of 1940. Check out the special "novelaztion" of the film in July 1940 "Screenland Magazine!" (PDF file) |
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CAST: Lewis Stone as Judge James K. Hardy Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy Cecilia Parker as Marian Hardy Fay Holden as Mrs. Hardy Judy Garland as Betsy Booth Ann Rutherford as Polly Benedict Diana Lewis as Daphne Fowler George Breakston as Beezy Sara Haden as Aunt Milly Addison Richards as George Benedict George Lessey as Underwood Cy Kendall as Mr. Carrillo Clyde Willson as Francis Charles Coleman as Head Waiter Additional Cast: Herbert Evans [Betsy's Butler], John Merkyl [Prentiss, Betsy's Chauffeur], Marjorie Gateson [Mrs. Desmond Fowler], Claire Du Brey [Mrs. Hackett, Daphne's Secretary], Charles Trowbridge [Davis, Daphne's Butler], Charles Wagenheim [Waiter], Arthur Belasco [Doorman], Lester Dorr [Photographer], Oscar "Dutch" Hendrian [Taxi Driver], Ethelreda Leopold [Sirocco Club Patron], Buddy Messinger [Elevator Boy], William Newell [Insurance Investigator], Sherrie Overton [Cigarette Girl], Thomas Pogue [Carriage Coachman], Edwin Stanley [Judge] |
CREW: Producer: Carey Wilson Director: George B. Seitz Screenplay: William Ludwig Based on stories by Vivian B. Bretherton and characters by Aurania Rouverol Musical Score: David Snell Song Score: Mack Gordon and Harry Revel, Roger Edens Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Stan Rogers Wardrobe: Jeanne Sound: Douglas Shearer Cinematography: Lester White Film Editing: Ben Lewis |
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SONGS: I'm Nobody's Baby (recorded March 14, 1940) Buds Won't Bud (outtake - recorded March 14, 1940). Alone (recorded May 10, 1940) All I To Is Dream Of You (outtake - recorded May 10, 1940) |
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Judy's final appearance in the series, and the only time in the series that a guest star (Judy) was billed above the title. This is an indication of just how much Judy's star status had grown since her last appearance. All of Judy's songs recorded for the film were deleted. In the final film she only sings a brief a cappella version of "Happy Birthday." Judy filmed her portions between April and May, 1941, which overlapped with her beginning flming of Babes On Broadway. The film was released in August of 1941. During this time, on May 28, 1941, Judy and composer/conductor David Rose announced their engagement. They were married in Las Vegas on July 28, 1941. Rose was Judy's first husband. She was nineteen years old. |
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CAST: Lewis Stone as Judge James K. Hardy Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy Judy Garland as Betsy Booth Fay Holden as Mrs. Hardy Ann Rutherford as Polly Benedict Sara Haden as Aunt Milly Patricia Dane as Jennitt Hicks ("The Wolfess") Ray McDonald as Jimmy Frobisher George Breakston as Beezy Pierre Watkin as Dr. Waggoner Frances Morris as Operator Tommy Kelly as Chuck Robert Winkler as Private William Forrest as Commandant Paul "Tiny" Newlan, Duke York as Truckmen Arthur Loft, James Flavin as Policemen Sidney Miller, Roger Daniel as Boys Byron Shores as Jackson Hollis Jewell as Ted Charlotte Wynters as Elizabeth Norton Bob Pittard as Delivery Boy Lester Matthews as Mr. Maddox Don Brodie as Clerk John Harmon as Taxi Driver Frank Ferguson as Stationer Leonard Sues as Kelly George Carleton as Florist George Ovey as Janitor Robert E. Homans as Watchman William J. Holmes as Dr. Griffin Manart Kippen as Rabbi Strauss Ralph Byrd as Father Gallagher Ann Morriss as Miss Dean Mira McKinney as Miss Gomez Nora Lane as Miss Howard John Eldredge as Paul McWilliams Joseph Crehan as Peter Dugan Mary Jo Ellis as Drugstore Cashier Yolande Mollot as Drugstore Waitress Estelle Etterre as Secretary Bess Flowers as Secretary Kent Rogers as Tough Boy Purnell Pratt as Dr. Storfen |
CREW: Produced by: Carey Wilson Directed by: George B. Seitz Screen Play by: Agnes Christine Johnson Based Upon the Characters Created by Aurania Rouverol Musical Direction: Georgie Stoll Art Director: Cedric Gibbons Associate: Harry McAfee Set Decorations: Edwin B. Willis Gowns by: Kalloch Recording Director: Douglas Shearer Director of Photography: Lester White Film Editor: Elmo Veron |
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SONGS: America (My Country 'Tis Of Thee) (recorded May 19, 1941) Easy To Love (recorded June 4, 1941) Abide With Me (recorded June 4, 1941) The Rosary (recorded June 4, 1941) |
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