The Hardys Ride High (1939)

80 mins | Comedy-drama | 21 April 1939

Director:

George B. Seitz

Cinematographer:

Lester White

Editor:

Ben Lewis

Production Designer:

Cedric Gibbons

Production Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp.
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HISTORY

The working title of this film was The Hardys at Home. According to the George B. Seitz papers contained in the AFI Library, retakes were done in Feb 1939. According to the crew lists for the film, Anne Nagel was originally scheduled for the role of Susan Bowen. Several discrepancies exist between the shooting schedules and crew lists for the film. The shooting schedule and onscreen credits list Virginia Grey in the role of the maid Consuela, but the crew list and Call Bureau Cast Service credit Mary McLaren with the role. Similarly, although the shooting schedule credits Minor Watson in the role of the bailiff, he is credited onscreen in the role of Mr. Archer. For additional information about the series, see the 1936 film A Family Affair (above) and consult the Series Index. ...

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The working title of this film was The Hardys at Home. According to the George B. Seitz papers contained in the AFI Library, retakes were done in Feb 1939. According to the crew lists for the film, Anne Nagel was originally scheduled for the role of Susan Bowen. Several discrepancies exist between the shooting schedules and crew lists for the film. The shooting schedule and onscreen credits list Virginia Grey in the role of the maid Consuela, but the crew list and Call Bureau Cast Service credit Mary McLaren with the role. Similarly, although the shooting schedule credits Minor Watson in the role of the bailiff, he is credited onscreen in the role of Mr. Archer. For additional information about the series, see the 1936 film A Family Affair (above) and consult the Series Index.

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SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Daily Variety
14 Apr 1939
p. 3
Film Daily
14 Apr 1939
p. 13
Hollywood Reporter
14 Jan 1939
p. 3
Hollywood Reporter
14 Apr 1939
p. 3
Motion Picture Daily
18 Apr 1939
p. 22
Motion Picture Herald
22 Apr 1939
pp. 38-39
New York Times
14 Apr 1939
p. 28
Variety
19 Apr 1939
p. 22
CAST
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTORS
Asst dir
PRODUCERS
Prod
Supv
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photog
ART DIRECTORS
Art dir
Art dir assoc
FILM EDITORS
Film ed
Asst cutter
SET DECORATOR
Set dec
COSTUMES
Wardrobe woman
Wardrobe man
MUSIC
Mus score
SOUND
Rec dir
Sound mixer
MAKEUP
Makeup
PRODUCTION MISC
Unit mgr
Scr clerk
First grip
Second grip
Props
Props
Gaffer
Best boy
Frankie Tanner
Still photog
STAND INS
Stand-in for Lewis Stone
Stand-in for Fay Holden
Stand-in for Mickey Rooney
SOURCES
LITERARY
Based on characters created by Aurania Rouverol.
LITERARY SOURCE AUTHOR
DETAILS
Alternate Title:
The Hardys at Home
Release Date:
21 April 1939
Premiere Information:
New York opening: week of 14 Apr 1939
Production Date:
began 13 Jan 1939
Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Loew's Inc.
17 April 1939
LP8790
Physical Properties:
Sound
Western Electric Sound System
Black and White
Duration(in mins):
80
Country:
United States
Language:
English
PCA No:
5117
SYNOPSIS

The Hardys' family life in the small town of Carvel is drastically altered when Judge Hardy is informed that he is the heir apparent to a two million dollar fortune that has come down from his ancestor Colonel Leeds, a soldier who fought in the War of 1812. The entire family packs up and moves to Detroit, where they are ensconced in a palatial mansion as they await the final decision of the courts concerning their inheritance. In Detroit, only Judge and Mrs. Hardy maintain a semblance of sanity, as Andy falls under the influence of Philip Westcott, the profligate foster son of the late millionaire Leeds. Plotting to overturn the Hardys' claim on his foster father's estate, Philip becomes friendly with Andy, introducing him to nightclubs and fortune hunting chorus girls. As Andy envisions himself a millionaire playboy, his sister Marian dreams of costly clothes and social prestige, and Aunt Milly transforms herself from a prim spinster to a social butterfly in hopes of ensnaring Mr. Archer, a man she met on the plane. Even the Judge's integrity is tested when he discovers evidence that proves his great grandfather Leeds was an adopted son, and therefore he is not a rightful heir. Returning to Carvel with his family, the Judge comes to his senses and renounces his claim on the fortune, much to the relief of Andy, who, terrified by the flirtations of a chorus girl, returns to his girl friend Polly. Similiarly, Marian realizes that expensive clothes will not bring her happiness, while Aunt Milly finds companionship with Mr. Davis, the town pharmacist. Thus, guided by the Judge's homespun philosophy, the ...

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The Hardys' family life in the small town of Carvel is drastically altered when Judge Hardy is informed that he is the heir apparent to a two million dollar fortune that has come down from his ancestor Colonel Leeds, a soldier who fought in the War of 1812. The entire family packs up and moves to Detroit, where they are ensconced in a palatial mansion as they await the final decision of the courts concerning their inheritance. In Detroit, only Judge and Mrs. Hardy maintain a semblance of sanity, as Andy falls under the influence of Philip Westcott, the profligate foster son of the late millionaire Leeds. Plotting to overturn the Hardys' claim on his foster father's estate, Philip becomes friendly with Andy, introducing him to nightclubs and fortune hunting chorus girls. As Andy envisions himself a millionaire playboy, his sister Marian dreams of costly clothes and social prestige, and Aunt Milly transforms herself from a prim spinster to a social butterfly in hopes of ensnaring Mr. Archer, a man she met on the plane. Even the Judge's integrity is tested when he discovers evidence that proves his great grandfather Leeds was an adopted son, and therefore he is not a rightful heir. Returning to Carvel with his family, the Judge comes to his senses and renounces his claim on the fortune, much to the relief of Andy, who, terrified by the flirtations of a chorus girl, returns to his girl friend Polly. Similiarly, Marian realizes that expensive clothes will not bring her happiness, while Aunt Milly finds companionship with Mr. Davis, the town pharmacist. Thus, guided by the Judge's homespun philosophy, the Hardys' relinquish their social prestige to become just ordinary folks.

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Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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The American Film Institute is grateful to Sir Paul Getty KBE and the Sir Paul Getty KBE Estate for their dedication to the art of the moving image and their support for the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and without whose support AFI would not have been able to achieve this historical landmark in this epic scholarly endeavor.