Andy Hardy's America

Over on Matinee at the Bijou, Victoria Balloon searches for the mysterious location in America of Andy Hardy's hometown, Carvel; providing interesting insights into MGM's Andy Hardy series of movies along the way.

These films are snapshots of an America never quite touched by the Depression or the looming war in Europe. Nothing really bad ever happens. At the most difficult moments Judge Hardy is there for a “man to man” talk with Andy, and when Judge Hardy needs comfort, there is always the simple wisdom of “Mother” Hardy.

I didn’t have a hometown, but I knew what a hometown was supposed to look like from the Andy Hardy pictures. You could walk to the drug store for a milkshake or ride a bike to the movies, and you could drop in on friends without having to arrange permission and a ride days in advance.