CitizenCaine Review of A Family Affair

A Family Affair (1937)

Holy Jumping Jerusalem: The First Andy Hardy Film

[6/10 · 23 May 2004]

This film is historically notable as the first Andy Hardy film; it's based on an original stage play. It's also part of the first film series that purports to portray the "nuclear" family. Lionel Barrymore is Judge Hardy, the role later made famous by Lewis Stone, and Spring Byington is Mrs. Hardy, the role later played by Fay Holden. Mickey Rooney is seen little as Andy Hardy in this film. The formula was not yet quite in place in this first film for the Hardy family. The story concerns Judge Hardy being blackmailed to remove himself from reelection. Along the way, the judge makes things right with his family and the townsfolk in typical 1930's, righteous, patriarchal fashion. Lionel Barrymore was too good an actor to remain in B-movie fare such as this, and did not return for any of the sequels that followed. The film is a typical example of a Depression era, feel-good, comedy of small town family life. It's mostly dated now, but it's not without its funny moments. **1/2 of 4 stars.