ANDY HARDY'S PRIVATE SECRETARY (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1941), directed by George B. Seitz, marks the tenth installment to the popular "Andy Hardy" family series starring Lewis Stone (Judge Hardy); Mickey Rooney (Andy Hardy); Fay Holden (Emily Hardy); and Sara Haden (Aunt Milly Forrest). One series regular, Marian Hardy, as played by Cecilia Parker, does not appear here, but does introduce a new MGM starlet, a soprano by the name of Kathryn Grayson, beter known in later years for her popular MGM musicals including SHOW BOAT (1951) and KISS ME KATE (1953).

The story opens typically in the courtroom with Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone) preciding a case involving a young teenager (Charles Smith) who finds life difficult being six feet tall among shorter eighth grade students, until a lecture about President Abraham Lincoln sets him straight. Hardy is then telephoned by George Benedict (Addison Richards) of the Carvel National Bank informing him that his son, Andrew (Mickey Rooney), has signed his name to a bad check of $280. Andy, now 18, about to graduate from Carvel High School within a week, is not only class president, but responsible for many activities at once, such as the school's bookkeeping and upcoming play with students dressed in Roman costumes. With so much going on for Andy, it is suggested that he hire Kathryn (Kathryn Grayson) as his private secretary to handle data on his extracurricular activities, with her brother, Harry (Todd Karns), who resents Andy, in decorating the gymnasium, where commencement is to be held. Their father, Steven V. Land (Ian Hunter), a widower, a highly educated man and former travel agent in Europe for ten years, now works as a night watchman for Peter Dugan's (Joseph Crehan) garage. Because of his ability to speak nine languages, Judge Hardy arranges for this skillful man for a better paying job in South American with the help of J.O. Harper (Don Douglas), a state representative of Washington. Land does get him the job, but has to leave for South America by Thursday, two days before his children are to graduate, thus missing their big event. In the meantime, Andy might not be able graduate himself for failing his final exam in English class.

Returning to the series are Georgie Breakston as Andy's best friend, "Beezy" Anderson; Gene Reynolds as Jimmy MacMahon, the role he originated in LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY (1938), appears for one scene; and Margaret Early as Clarabelle Lee, the role she originated in JUDGE HARDY AND SON (1939). Series regular, Ann Rutherford, returns as Andy's girlfriend, Polly Benedict, who shows jealously over his attention towards fellow classmate, Kathryn Land. With Deanna Durbin being the operatic teenage rage for Universal of the 1940s, Grayson's movie debut is heavily influenced by Durbin, especially during her showcase scene singing such operatic arias as Johann Strauss's "The Voices of Spring," and "Lucia de Lammamoor" by Gaetano Douizetti. Grayson gets a chance to vocalize a down-t-oearth Cole Porter tune, introduced in BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940 (1940) titled "I've Got My Eyes on You.," more to Andy Hardy's liking but not to Polly.

Interestingly, with the story focusing more on Judge Hardy and son, one would wonder about the rest of the family members. Fay Holden's Mrs. Hardy appears late into the story (39 minutes) while Cecilia Parker's Marian is said to be away in New York City. It's a wonder why such a close relative like Andy's sister was not able to return home in time to attend her brother's graduation? It also seems odd to have Andy's Aunt Milly as his teacher in English while students related to teachers are often assigned to another classroom under another instructor. Yet it is Andy's own Aunt Milly who must fail her nephew for not passing his big exam, and to show no favoritism in that matter. Another overlong (101 minutes) segment, ANDY HARDY'S PRIVATE SECRETARY, being quite typical, holds interest through most of it. Hence its title, the story sets more on Andy Hardy's preparation for high school graduation than on his new romance with his private secretary. Yet its title is put to good use in attracting attention to the studio's new singing personality, Kathryn Grayson. Yes, there is that usual "man-to-man" talks between the judge and Andy, which in turn becomes strict father to son talk after judge learns his son won't be part of his graduation class of 1941.

Formerly distributed on video cassette in the 1990s, ANDY HARDY'S PRIVATE SECRETARY can be seen whenever broadcast on Turner Classic Movies. Next in the series, LIFE BEGINS FOR ANDY HARDY (1941) which marks the return of Judy Garland as Betsy Booth and Andy's return to The Big Apple, New York City. (*** diplomas)