Out West with the Hardys

Out West with the Hardys is a captivating 1938 American family comedy and adventure film. This film is the fifth installment of the popular "Hardy Family” series, directed by George B. Seitz, starring the irreplaceable talents of Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, and Fay Holden.

The plot centers around one of the best-loved on-screen families, the Hardy family. The family embraces a chance to escape from their usual small-town routines and sets off on a journey, venturing towards the picturesque landscapes of the West in response to a distressing call from an old friend.

Judge Hardy, the patriarch of the family portrayed by the remarkable Lewis Stone, is a man of great dignity, unerring in his sense of social justice and natural fairness. When an old friend, Dora Northcote, played by Nana Bryant, reaches out to him for help with her pressing water rights issues in her home out west, Hardy does not hesitate to assist. His unbreakable commitment to help a friend in need encapsulates his character's forthright honesty and integrity as a public servant.

Judge Hardy is accompanied by his loving family on this adventure –his wife, Emily Hardy, played by Fay Holden, and his children, Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney), and Marion Hardy (Cecilia Parker).

Mickey Rooney’s character Andy Hardy is the center of focus in this series, and in Out West with the Hardys, he garners attention with his animated charm, energy, and dramatic ambition. With every episode in his teenage life unfolding as a new lesson to viewers, he imparts a profound and joyful impression of adolescence. Andy's enthusiastic, often mischievous approach to love and life propels much of the film's light-hearted comedy. His obstacles and triumphs skillfully depict an authentic and warm, if sometimes awkward, teenage experience.

Andy's sister, Marion, is another character that adds exciting romantic flavor to the film. Marion's own tale of romantic lessons parallels Andy's but allows for a mature perspective in the youthful narrative. Her nuanced performance in Out West with the Hardys is evidence of the series' commitment to create well-rounded, engaging female characters, fostering a delightful balance of the story's mature themes of persistence, enduring friendship, responsibility, and young love.

Furthermore, the film eloquently captures and contrasts the stark differences between the urban and rural American culture of the 1930s. The transition from the small, peaceful town of Carvel to the rugged and scenic landscapes of the West marks a decisive shift in the narrative. The film skillfully uses these different surroundings to enhance its storyline, using the wide-open spaces of the West as a backdrop for dramatic adventures and emotional growth.

Moreover, Out West with the Hardys is respectful of its secondary characters as it is of its main. The film includes significant appearances by Ralph Morgan, Kathryn Grayson, and Virginia Weidler, with each of them contributing to the film's dynamic, multi-layered story.

In summary, Out West with the Hardys is a good-natured film that encapsulates the strength and unity of a family that sticks together against adversities. It beautifully encapsulates a past era, its nostalgic allure a testament to its timeless appeal. The panoramic outdoor sequences, combined with the strong performances from the cast, render the film an engaging watch, even decades after its initial release.

The Hardy Family series is emblematic of a wholesome, character-driven drama that families can enjoy together, and Out West with the Hardys is no exception. Fans of the series and new viewers alike will find great enjoyment in this film, an affirmation of the importance of love, determination, loyalty, and family unity. The film is a warm, uplifting testament to the hardy spirit of its namesake family.