Andrew "Andy" Hardy is a fictional character best known for the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer series of 16 films in which he was played by Mickey Rooney.

The Hardy films, which were enormously popular in their heyday, were sentimental comedies, celebrating ordinary American life.

The Hardy family first appeared in Aurania Rouverol's play Skidding, which debuted on May 21, 1928, at the Bijou Theatre and ran until July 1929.

Most of the movies were set in the Hardys' fictional hometown of Carvel, located in Idaho in the original play, but described in the films as being in the Midwest.

Judge Hardy, played by the grandfatherly looking Stone, was a man of absolute morality and integrity, with a stern demeanor, but a kind heart and droll sense of humor.

A typical plot involved Andy getting into minor trouble with money or girls, usually because of youthful selfishness and a willingness to fudge the truth.

Also, a 1940 short subject promoting the Community Chest was called Andy Hardy's Dilemma (18 minutes).

A number of public service announcements involving the Andy Hardy character and his father were shown in theaters in the 1940s.

From late 1949 into 1952, The Hardy Family was syndicated by MGM as a half-hour weekly series on radio, with a cast including Mickey Rooney, Fay Holden and Lewis Stone, and writers including Jack Rubin and Jameson Brewer, directed by Thomas A. McAvity.