A Family Affair (1937)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

George B. Seitz

Writers:

Aurania Rouverol (play)
Kay Van Riper (writer)

Release Date:

12 March 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

In this is the entry into the Andy Hardy series about a small town depression era family, Judge Hardy faces problems at work and at home...

Plot Keywords:

Judge | Small Town | Impeachment | Newspaper | Extortion

Cast

Lionel Barrymore	...	Judge James K. Hardy
Cecilia Parker	...	Marion Hardy
Eric Linden	...	Wayne Trent III
Mickey Rooney	...	Andy Hardy
Charley Grapewin	...	Frank Redmond
Spring Byington	...	Mrs. Emily Hardy
Julie Haydon	...	Joan Hardy Martin
Sara Haden	...	Aunt Milly Forrest
Allen Vincent	...	William Booth 'Bill' Martin
Margaret Marquis	...	Polly Benedict
Selmer Jackson	...	Hoyt Wells
Harlan Briggs	...	Oscar Stubbins

Also Known As:

Skidding
Stand Accused

Runtime:

69 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:Approved (PCA #3136) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Aurania Rouverol's play, "Skidding," opened in New York on 21 May 1928.

Movie Connections:

Followed by The Courtship of Andy Hardy (1942)

Our town

"A Family Affair" takes us back to a less complicated time in America. It's sobering to see how different everything was back then. It was a more innocent era in our country and we watch a 'functional' family dealing in things together. The film also marks the beginning of the series featuring the Hardy family.

The film, directed by George Seitz, is based on a successful play. Judge James Hardy, and his wife Emmily, are facing a domestic crisis that must be dealt with. Married daughter Joan comes home after she has committed a social blunder and her husband holds her responsible. At the same time, another daughter, Marion, brings home a beau, who is clear will clash with her father. The happy teen ager Andy, seems to be the only one without a problem until his mother makes him escort Polly to the dance, something he is reluctant to do.

Needless to say, Judge Hardy will prove why he knows best as he puts a plan into action to get everyone together again. After all, he is a man that understands, not only the law, but how to deal with those outside forces that threatens his standing in the community and what will make his family happy.

Lionel Barrymore plays Judge Hardy with conviction. He is the glue that holds everything together. Spring Byington is seen as Emily, the mother. Mickey Rooney has a small part in this film, but he is as always, fun to watch. Cecilia Parker and Julie Haydon appeared as the daughters, Marion and Joan. Sara Hayden and Margaret Marquis are also featured in the film as Aunt Milly and Polly, the girl that surprises Andy with her beauty.

"A Family Affair" is a good way to observe our past through the positive image painted of an American family.