After visiting New York in the previous year's "Andy Hardy Meets Debutante", the Mick is back there, this time for a whole summer while waiting for college to begin. He is reunited with his old buddy Betsy Booth (Judy Garland), whom it was insinuated he might romance in that predecessor. But now, Andy has his heart set on Jennitt Hicks (Patricia Dane), a receptionist at the firm he learns there is a job opening at. Jennitt is pretty, sophisticated, and isn't all quite what she seems to be. A visit from Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone) and investigation by Betsy brings all that out into the open. This segment is also more dramatic than prequels with the character of dancer Jimmy Frobisher (Ray McDonald) who had Andy's room at the boarding house he moves into as well as the job Andy is after.The character of Jimmy is where the show's heart lies. Andy runs into Jimmy in the park, finds out he's homeless, and takes him in against the rules of the boarding house. Tragedy strikes, and along with the revelations made about Ms. Hicks, Andy comes out of this much wiser than he realized he would be after a summer in the Big Apple. This is a colder New York than usually seen on screen, and for that, this "Andy Hardy" segment rates a higher rating. It's still not quite *** (Good) in my book, but its **1/2 marks it as definitely worth a look with some very good qualities about it. I would say of the Andy Hardy films I've seen, this is probably Rooney's best performance, even if the two previous ones with Garland rank as more popular. Sadly, Judy fans won't get a big number out of her, as she only sings a "Happy Birthday" telegram a Capella.There's no Cecilia Parker in this one, and very little of Ann Rutherford's Polly, or Fay Holden's Ma Hardy and Sara Haden's Aunt Milly. The goodbye scene between Andy and his mother is a bit embarrassing and overdoes it on the sentimentality. But once Andy finds himself on his own, he has some great growing up to do and that's where the film more than momentarily shines.

Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941) *** (out of 4) Eleventh film in the series is a pure delight as Andy (Mickey Rooney) decides to put off going to college even though Judge (Lewis Stone) feels that would be his best bet. Instead Andy travels to New York City to get a job and see what all life has to offer. He meets up with his old friend (Judy Garland) but quickly falls for a woman (Patricia Dane) who might not have his best interest in mind. I've read some critics who said this series handled dark subjects too lightly and perhaps that's true but that doesn't apply here. This film really shocked me at how mature it was and it even hit some rather dark subjects including suicide and what really makes a man. The movie has plenty of great laughs, some wonderful performances and an all around charm that makes this irresistible to fans of classic cinema. I'm still rather new to the series but the chemistry between Rooney and Stone is just marvelous and the two really come off as a real father and son. I'm not sure if it was just luck or if the two actors really did their homework but they are perfect together and really seem to know how to work off one another. This is certainly true during a brief scene at a table after Judge has come to visit Andy at work. The supporting cast is equally good and that includes Garland in her third and final appearance in the series. I've read she had four songs cut from the film but she doesn't have too much to work with except playing shoulder to Andy. Dane is the one who really surprised me because I thought she made for an excellent femme fatale years before that term would really take off. I think even those who aren't fans of the series would get a kick out of this one because it really does bring those "coming of age" issues up front and looks at them in a pretty serious manor. Even though there are laughs scattered throughout, for the most part the film is looked at in a serious way and this is a major plus.

George B. Seitz directs this hard hitting, downbeat and possibly the best of the Andy Hardy series. Andy(Mickey Rooney)makes a deal with his father(Lewis Stone)to spend a week in New York City savoring a slice of life before entering college. Andy discovers that finding a job and working is sobering and easier said than done. And some things will always stay the same ...when there is a nice looking female around; Andy is easily love struck. This is the last of the Hardy series to feature Judy Garland. Rounding out the cast are: Fay Holden, Amm Rutherford, Patricia Dane and Ray McDonald. The Andy Hardy films are so easy to relax with.

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.