Known primarily today as the debut film of Robert Taylor, Handy Andy was one of Will Rogers's typical roles as small-town druggist and cracker-barrel philosopher. But he's facing a Dodsworth like midlife crisis with wife Peggy Wood.
Unlike Dodsworth, Handy Andy is played strictly for laughs. Rogers is a man in love with his life, his profession, and his wife and probably in that order. Peggy Wood as his wife wants him to retire and take it easy and towards that end she's encouraging a relationship with drugstore chain owner Paul Harvey and is even practically throwing Harvey's son Frank Melton and her daughter Mary Carlisle together. Mary however prefers town doctor Roger Imhoff's son, Robert Taylor.
The film comes close to the edge of the plot of Dodsworth when on a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras that Rogers has to be dragged to, kicking and screaming, Wood starts falling for the charms of gigolo Gregory Gaye. Will does a Tarzan act to rescue his woman caveman style and he's pretty funny.
Taylor doesn't have much to do, but look good and be in solid support of Rogers and his homespun view of life. In the Films of Robert Taylor Citadel film series, Taylor said that Rogers was nothing, but kindness itself and very supportive of a new kid just starting in the picture business.
Handy Andy is a good way to be introduced to that American institution known as Will Rogers. Would we had someone of his common sense and common touch today.
Unlike Dodsworth, Handy Andy is played strictly for laughs. Rogers is a man in love with his life, his profession, and his wife and probably in that order. Peggy Wood as his wife wants him to retire and take it easy and towards that end she's encouraging a relationship with drugstore chain owner Paul Harvey and is even practically throwing Harvey's son Frank Melton and her daughter Mary Carlisle together. Mary however prefers town doctor Roger Imhoff's son, Robert Taylor.
The film comes close to the edge of the plot of Dodsworth when on a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras that Rogers has to be dragged to, kicking and screaming, Wood starts falling for the charms of gigolo Gregory Gaye. Will does a Tarzan act to rescue his woman caveman style and he's pretty funny.
Taylor doesn't have much to do, but look good and be in solid support of Rogers and his homespun view of life. In the Films of Robert Taylor Citadel film series, Taylor said that Rogers was nothing, but kindness itself and very supportive of a new kid just starting in the picture business.
Handy Andy is a good way to be introduced to that American institution known as Will Rogers. Would we had someone of his common sense and common touch today.