"You're Only Young Once" is the second Andy Hardy film but it's the first one with the entire cast we're familiar with and enjoyed in subsequent films. The first film, "A Family Affair" starred Lionel Barrymore as Judge Hardy and Spring Byington as his wife. Apart from that the two kids and the aunt were the same in both films. According to IMDb, Barrymore's advanced arthritis restricted his acting too much though there's no indication by Byington didn't return as Mrs. Hardy.Most of this film takes place during the Hardy family's vacation on Catalina Island in California. The Judge is eager to go in order to go sailfishing. As for Andy and his sister, Marian, they both end up having vacation romances--Andy with a spoiled rich girl who is a bad egg and Marian with an even worse choice. However, as usual, the Judge does NOT jump in and try to split up these budding romances but instead uses the usual Hardy finesse...proving once again what a swell father he was...one of the best in film history.Like most of the films in the series, this one is quite enjoyable and, as usual, Andy a bit too big for his britches. Nice family entertainment and well worth your time.By the way, this is the only film in the series where I recall that there was an epilogue. At the end, Lewis Stone (the Judge) talks to the audience to announce that there will be several subsequent films in the series.

Just watched this, the second of the Hardy family series. While Mickey Rooney, Cecilia Parker, and Sara Haden return from A Family Affair, Lewis Stone and Sara Holden take over from Lionel Barrymore and Spring Byington, respectively. Some loose ends are tied from the previous film but the bulk takes place on Catalina Island for a family vacation. Both Andy and Marian meet someone they fall for despite both having someone else they're pining for. By the way, Andy's home girlfriend Polly, played previously by Margaret Marquis, is now played here by Ann Rutherford. She's certainly better-looking than her predecessor, that's for sure! This one's more light-hearted than it's predecessor, a tone that remains for most of the series' run. The fact that this was basically a series entry is driven home by the fact that after "The End" shows on screen, Lewis Stone then comes back on screen and tells us to expect more adventures of his family again soon! I'll certainly be coming back for more so watch this space under my username for further reviews of more Hardy family adventures...

The second Andy Hardy film has Judge Hardy, now played by Lewis Stone, quietly manipulating his family into a vacation on Catalina Island, so he can go fishing. Once there, Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) and big sister Marian (Cecilia Parker) get into romantic entanglements bigger than either bargained for. Emily Hardy, the Spring Byington role in the first film, is now played by Fay Holden. Mrs. Hardy manages to keep the family together, as Judge Hardy has to impart a couple important lessons about the ways of the world to Andy and Marian and then has to save the family from financial ruin. Eleanor Lynn, in a rare film appearance, is Geraldine 'Jerry' Lane, Andy's much too sophisticated for her own good girlfriend on Catalina Island. Ann Rutherford makes her first appearance as Andy Hardy's girl, the long suffering Polly Benedict in this film. Frank Craven continues the role of Frank Redmond, newspaper owner, initiated by Charlie Grapewin in the first film. Sara Haden and Selmer Jackson continue their roles as Aunt Milly and Hoyt Wells respectively. It's good old wholesome family fun. **1/2 of 4 stars.

I read somewhere that the Andy Hardy movies were the apple of Leo B Mayer's eye. He tested out a number of up and coming starlets in them which is clear from checking the credits of the later movies. This is a 'pilot' of sorts to test out the formula but it's clear immediately that Mickey Rooney was born to play the irrepressible Andy - and Lewis Stone, Judge Hardy. These two have a rapport which would hold the series together throughout - and this became the case offscreen as well, with the two forming a friendship which lasted until Lewis Stone's death. The storyline is totally forgettable but that doesn't matter. What does matter is the Hardy Family; the way they go through life trying to do the right thing.The one dated aspect of the movie, which may grate on female viewers, is the second-class treatment of the woman-as-housewife. It would take the injection of the one and only Judy Garland to liven things up in the later movies. Even Ann Rutherford had trouble standing up for herself!