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Let’s Do It Again (1975) movie poster

Timeline

Let’s Do It Again (1975) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1975 · 113 mins · English
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Starring
Sidney Poitier, Mel Stewart, George Foreman, Ossie Davis, John Amos, Julius Harris

The two characters from Uptown Saturday Night return, this time with a kid named Dyn‑O‑Mite. Clyde Williams and Billy Foster, blue‑collar workers in Atlanta, promise to raise money for their fraternal order, the Brothers and Sisters of Shaka. Their scheme sends them to New Orleans, where they plan to rig a boxing match to secure the funds.

Comedy Crime Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Categories
  6. 6 Every angle
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14 events in order · contains spoilers

Let’s Do It Again Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Let’s Do It Again (1975) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Planning the lodge fundraiser

    Billy and Clyde realize they must raise funds quickly for the lodge. They decide to revive a money making scheme built on Clyde's claimed hypnosis to rig boxing matches. They plan to involve their wives, Beth and Dee Dee, as they travel to New Orleans to carry out the plan.

    When
    planning stage
    Where
    Atlanta

  2. Trip to New Orleans to rig the fight

    Billy and Clyde travel to New Orleans with their wives to execute the scheme. They assess Bootney Farnsworth as the underdog and begin arranging bets with rival gangsters Kansas City Mack and Biggie Smalls. The operation moves from planning to action as they set the stage for the rig.

    When
    shortly after planning
    Where
    New Orleans

  3. Bootney hypnotized into a stronger fighter

    In Bootney's hotel room, Clyde hypnotizes him into thinking he is a formidable fighter. Bootney accepts the new identity and projects confidence on the path to victory. The transformed mindset sets the stage for an upset in the ring.

    When
    pre-fight
    Where
    Bootney's hotel room, New Orleans

  4. Hypnotized Bootney defeats 40th Street Black

    The hypnotized Bootney delivers a stunning performance and KO's the reigning champion, 40th Street Black. The crowd roars as an apparent underdog becomes a boxing sensation and the plan starts to pay off. Billy and Clyde begin to reap the first tangible profits from the scheme.

    When
    fight night
    Where
    New Orleans boxing arena

  5. De-hypnotizing Bootney after the victory

    After the match, Clyde moves in close to Bootney to reverse the hypnosis. Bootney returns to his normal self, unaware of the manipulation behind his victory. Billy and Clyde prepare to return to Atlanta with the winnings.

    When
    post-fight
    Where
    Backstage/New Orleans

  6. Lodge celebration and nursery fund plan

    Back in Atlanta, the lodge hosts a grand celebration dinner honoring their fundraiser success. Elder Johnson outlines the uses of the funds, including the plan for a nursery school for lodge children. The mood shifts as talk of the rigged fight resurfaces during the celebration.

    When
    weeks later
    Where
    Atlanta Lodge

  7. Mack visits and sets a new trap

    Kansas City Mack confronts Billy and Clyde at the lodge and explains the plan to force a rematch. He insists they hypnotize Bootney again and de-hypnotize him before the rematch so the public bets on him and Mack profits from the draw. The visit signals a new dangerous chapter in the scheme.

    When
    during the celebration
    Where
    Atlanta Lodge

  8. Failed second hypnosis and arrest

    Under the new plan, they attempt the second hypnosis on Bootney, but he proves too quick and their control falters. They sneak into Bootney's hotel room to complete the de-hypnosis, but are caught by Bootney's trainers and arrested.

    When
    pre-rematch
    Where
    Bootney's hotel room, New Orleans

  9. Lt Bottomley releases them and new betting plan forms

    Clyde manages to hypnotize Lt. Bottomley and is released by the police. They hatch a plan involving Beth and Dee Dee to place large bets, while Clyde disguises himself to hypnotize 40th Street Black. The plan shifts from a direct fight scheme to a layered betting trap.

    When
    immediately after arrest
    Where
    New Orleans Police Department

  10. The first round draw bet scheme

    Beth and Dee Dee place bets totaling 5000 dollars at 20 to 1 odds on a first round draw, aiming to exploit the confusion of the rival gangsters. Clyde also sets up the hypnotism of 40th Street Black to ensure the rematch story remains intact. The operation now includes multiple moving parts and deception.

    When
    before rematch
    Where
    New Orleans boxing scene/locker room

  11. The rematch ends in a draw

    In the first round, Bootney and 40th Street Black land knock-out punches at the same time, and the referee calls the match a draw. The chaotic finish seems to vindicate the plan for now, but the true mechanism remains hidden from public view. Billy and Clyde observe from the shadows as the scheme unravels in real time.

    When
    first round
    Where
    Boxing ring, New Orleans

  12. Pursuit and near capture

    Mack and Smalls realize they have been duped and pursue Billy and Clyde through a maze of apartment buildings. Beth and Dee Dee manage to slip away with the winnings, while the conspirators slip away into the night. The chase ends with the two sides fearing exposure and confrontation.

    When
    immediately after draw
    Where
    New Orleans

  13. Confrontation at the police station and reveal

    Billy and Clyde slip into the police department and stage a story about rival mobsters rushing in to donate to a youth fund. Lt. Bottomley exposes the plan and keeps the evidence locked away in his safe. Clyde hands over twenty thousand dollars to Bottomley as a show of good faith and to seal the cover story.

    When
    aftermath of the chase
    Where
    New Orleans Police Department

  14. Resolution and return to Atlanta

    With the evidence secured, Mack and Smalls back off and accept the implied defeat. Billy, Clyde, Beth, and Dee Dee drive back to Atlanta, joking about a future rigged bout between Muhammad Ali and Sammy Davis Jr. The four of them go home with the knowledge that their scheme is over, for now.

    When
    end of story
    Where
    Atlanta

Last updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:32

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Timeline questions answered

Let’s Do It Again Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Let’s Do It Again (1975): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Billy and Clyde choose to rig a boxing match using hypnosis?

Billy, as the lodge treasurer, pushed Clyde to use his claimed hypnosis skills from his Army medic days because they needed fast money for the Sons and Daughters of Shaka lodge. The plan was simple: hypnotize an underdog into believing he was a powerhouse, bet heavily on his upset victory, and split the profits with the lodge.

  • hypnosis
  • boxing scheme
  • fundraiser
  • lodge money
  • Billy Foster
  • Clyde Williams
Q2

How did Clyde hypnotize Bootney Farnsworth?

Clyde entered Bootney's hotel room in New Orleans and used his claimed hypnosis techniques to make Bootney believe he was a formidable fighter who could not be defeated. Bootney accepted this new identity completely, projecting confidence that translated into real fighting ability in the ring.

  • hypnosis
  • Bootney Farnsworth
  • Clyde Williams
  • boxing
  • New Orleans
Q3

Why did Billy and Clyde team up with rival gangsters Kansas City Mack and Biggie Smalls?

They needed to secure large bets for the scheme to be profitable. Mack and Smalls were the bookmakers in New Orleans, and convincing them to take big bets on an underdog required the gangsters' cooperation. The two gangsters were rivals, which actually worked in Billy and Clyde's favor as they could play both sides.

  • Kansas City Mack
  • Biggie Smalls
  • gangsters
  • betting
  • New Orleans
  • bookmakers
Q4

How did Billy and Clyde escape after being arrested in New Orleans?

After being caught in Bootney's hotel room by his trainers and arrested, Clyde used his hypnosis skills on Lt. Bottomley of the New Orleans police. He hypnotized the lieutenant into releasing them, effectively manipulating the police force to overlook their crimes.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Clyde's hypnosis was used on Bootney to win fights; the same technique later saved them from jail.

  • arrest
  • police
  • hypnosis
  • Lt. Bottomley
  • escape
  • New Orleans
Q5

What was the draw bet scheme in the rematch?

Mack demanded a second fight where Bootney would be hypnotized again but then de-hypnotized before the rematch, allowing him to regain his real strength publicly while Mack placed bets on a draw. Meanwhile, Beth and Dee Dee would place large bets on a first-round draw at 20 to 1 odds, exploiting the confusion when both fighters knocked each other out simultaneously.

  • draw bet
  • rematch
  • Bootney
  • 40th Street Black
  • Beth
  • Dee Dee
  • betting scheme
Q6

Why did the police let Billy and Clyde go despite their criminal scheme?

Billy revealed that evidence of their dealings was stored in Lt. Bottomley's safe. Bottomley warned Mack and Smalls that any harassment or disappearance of the men would lead to severe jail time for the gangsters. With the police implicitly on their side and the evidence creating leverage, the gangsters backed off.

  • police
  • evidence
  • Lt. Bottomley
  • Mack
  • Smalls
  • threat
  • jail
Q7

What happened to the lodge fundraiser and nursery school plan?

The initial scheme succeeded, the lodge hosted a grand celebration where Elder Johnson announced plans to use the funds for a nursery school for lodge members' children. Even after the chaotic rematch, Billy and Clyde returned most of the money to the bookmakers while keeping a portion for their lodge, ensuring the community benefited from their scheme.

  • lodge
  • nursery school
  • fundraiser
  • Elder Johnson
  • Sons and Daughters of Shaka
  • Atlanta
Q8

Why did the second hypnosis attempt fail?

The second hypnosis was rushed under pressure from Mack. Bootney's rapid improvement outpaced Clyde's ability to control him, and they lost control of the scheme. When they snuck into Bootney's room to complete the de-hypnosis, they were caught by his trainers, leading to their arrest.

Foreshadowing: Early in the film, Clyde's hypnosis worked perfectly on Bootney, setting up the expectation that it would work again.

  • second hypnosis
  • Bootney
  • failed
  • arrest
  • Clyde Williams
Q9

How did Billy and Clyde ultimately beat the gangsters without direct violence?

Rather than fighting Mack and Smalls, Billy used clever negotiation. He convinced both gangsters that cooperating with the truth was better than chasing a dubious windfall. By revealing the evidence in Bottomley's safe and warning of the legal consequences, they made the gangsters realize they had more to lose than gain, causing them to back down.

  • Mack
  • Smalls
  • resolution
  • negotiation
  • evidence
  • Billy Foster
  • Clyde Williams

Movie threads

More Movies Like Let’s Do It Again, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Let’s Do It Again tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Clever Crime Capers with a Heart like Let’s Do It Again

Well-meaning schemers pull off a clever, low-stakes scam for a good cause. If you enjoyed the playful scam in Let’s Do It Again, you'll love these movies where charming underdogs pull off a clever heist or con. This list features similar lighthearted comedies about well-intentioned schemes, friendly rivalries, and outsmarting the bad guys for a good cause.

  • comical
  • clever
  • mischievous
  • lighthearted
  • underdog
  • playful
  • Tone: light, playful, mischievous
  • Pacing: steady, plot-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically begin with a justifiable motivation for a clever plan. The narrative unfolds as the characters assemble their scheme, leading to a series of comedic and clever set-pieces as they execute it. Complications often arise from unforeseen hiccups or a rival force, but the resolution is satisfying and morally sound, with the protagonists triumphing through ingenuity.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on non-violent, clever plots, a light and comical tone, and protagonists you cheer for. They balance a sense of mischief with heart, ensuring the fun of the caper never overshadows the charisma of the characters or the goodness of their intentions.

Once Upon a Crime... movie poster

Once Upon a Crime...

1992
How to Steal 100 Million movie poster

How to Steal 100 Million

2024
A Touch of Larceny movie poster

A Touch of Larceny

1960
The Art of the Steal movie poster

The Art of the Steal

2014
Larceny, Inc. movie poster

Larceny, Inc.

1942
Hue and Cry movie poster

Hue and Cry

1947
To Rob a Thief movie poster

To Rob a Thief

2007
Where the Money Is movie poster

Where the Money Is

2000

Playful Underdog Team-Ups like in Let’s Do It Again

A quirky duo or group bands together to outsmart a larger opponent. Fans of the friendly rivalry and teamwork in Let’s Do It Again will enjoy these movies about quirky duos or groups taking on a bigger challenge. Discover similar stories with steady pacing, light emotional weight, and a focus on clever collaboration and humorous dynamics.

  • playful
  • underdog
  • energetic
  • teamwork
  • friendly rivalry
  • comical
  • Tone: light, energetic, comical
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a central challenge that forces a relatable but outmatched team to collaborate. Their journey is defined by a series of inventive solutions and humorous interactions that highlight their chemistry. The conflict is driven by a rivalry with a more established or powerful entity, but the tone remains upbeat, leading to a victorious and happy conclusion that celebrates teamwork.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their emphasis on the joyful dynamics of an underdog team, a lighthearted tone that avoids heavy drama, and a steady, engaging pace. The shared vibe is one of cheerful defiance and clever collaboration, making the success of the team feel earned and satisfying.

Dog Gone movie poster

Dog Gone

2008
Pardners movie poster

Pardners

1956
Underdogs movie poster

Underdogs

2013
The Benchwarmers movie poster

The Benchwarmers

2006
Puppy Love movie poster

Puppy Love

2023
School for Scoundrels movie poster

School for Scoundrels

2006
Air Buddies movie poster

Air Buddies

2006
Just Getting Started movie poster

Just Getting Started

2017

Categories

Movie Lists Featuring Let’s Do It Again

Let’s Do It Again appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

View all movie categories
Elderly Crew Heist Comedies movies

Elderly Crew Heist Comedies

Heist movies with elderly characters

Every angle

Let’s Do It Again (1975) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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