They Shall Have Music (1939) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Frankie's stepfather destroyed the violin because he mistakenly believed Frankie had stolen money from the gang's treasury to buy it. In reality, Frankie had taken the money to reclaim the violin he had previously pawned, but his stepfather saw only the theft and reacted in anger by smashing the instrument. This incident, combined with Frankie's prior mischief, led his stepfather to decide to send him to reform school.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Frankie had pawned the violin to contribute money to his gang's funds, showing his conflicted loyalty between his criminal friends and his love of music.

• stepfather
• violin
• destroyed
• steal money
• reform school

Frankie ran away after his stepfather destroyed his beloved violin and announced plans to send him to reform school. The violin represented Frankie's only connection to his absent father and his dream of becoming a musician. With both his family support and his most prized possession gone, Frankie fled with his shoe shine kit packed inside the empty violin case.

Foreshadowing: Frankie's earlier decision to pawn and then repurchase the violin demonstrated his deep attachment to the instrument and his desire to pursue music over a life of crime.

• run away
• reform school
• violin
• stepfather
• homeless

After running away, Frankie wandered the streets until he discovered a music school dedicated to helping underprivileged children. When he snuck into the basement to sleep, Professor Lawson found him but recognized Frankie's exceptional perfect pitch during a spontaneous test. Impressed by the boy's natural talent, Lawson offered Frankie a place at the school, giving him a chance at a new life through music.

Foreshadowing: Frankie's earlier exposure to Jascha Heifetz's concert had already sparked his passion for music, making him receptive to this opportunity.

• music school
• professor lawson
• underprivileged
• perfect pitch
• found

The school faced closure because its main sponsor had recently died, leaving unpaid bills. Additionally, the instruments were rented from a stingy music store owner named Mr. Flower, who was demanding payment for overdue rentals. Without money or instruments, the school could not continue operating, putting all the students' futures in jeopardy.

Foreshadowing: The school's founder Professor Lawson was portrayed as selfless and dedicated, making the financial threat especially poignant for the children who depended on him.

• school closure
• financial trouble
• sponsor died
• mr flower
• instruments

Limey stole the valuable Stradivarius violin without knowing its true worth. He simply wanted to gift something special to Frankie as a token of their friendship, believing any violin would make Frankie happy. The theft created a dangerous situation when Frankie was detained by police, though it ultimately led to Heifetz learning about Frankie's plight.

Foreshadowing: Limey's loyalty to Frankie was established early in the film when he helped Frankie hide from police at the concert hall.

• limey
• stradivarius
• stolen
• heifetz
• gift

Heifetz agreed to perform after being moved by Frankie's integrity and passion for music. When Frankie was detained by police for trying to return the stolen violin, he refused to speak to anyone except Heifetz. Touched by the boy's honesty and determination, Heifetz went to the police station, retrieved his instrument, and agreed to appear at the school's benefit concert.

Foreshadowing: Frankie's earlier encounter with Heifetz at the concert hall, where he shared the school's story, had already planted the seed of the violinist's involvement.

• heifetz
• benefit concert
• police
• performance
• persuaded

Frankie pawned the violin, which had belonged to his father, to get money to contribute to his gang's treasury. This act marked a turning point for Frankie, showing his desire to leave his life of petty crime behind and pursue something meaningful. The money he raised was an attempt to prove his worth to the gang while also secretly nurturing his musical interest.

Foreshadowing: This decision foreshadowed Frankie's eventual complete departure from his criminal life toward a life built around music.

• pawn violin
• gang
• father
• money
• treasury

After overhearing about the school's financial crisis, Frankie organized a street band made up of fellow students. They set up outside a grand concert hall, hoping to attract listeners who appreciated classical music. Frankie also approached Jascha Heifetz directly, sharing the school's story and their fundraising efforts, which ultimately led to the violinist's involvement.

Foreshadowing: Frankie's initiative reflected the leadership qualities he had developed while running his childhood gang, now channeled toward a positive cause.

• street band
• fundraising
• save school
• heifetz
• concert hall

Frankie first encountered Heifetz by accident when he and Limey hid in a concert hall lobby to escape police. During their hiding, they witnessed a couple argue and discard their tickets, so the boys decided to attend the concert instead. Frankie was deeply moved by Heifetz's violin performance, which inspired his dream of becoming a musician. Later, Frankie deliberately approached Heifetz outside the concert hall to ask for help saving the school.

Foreshadowing: This initial accidental encounter established the musical connection that would define Frankie's future.

• meet heifetz
• concert
• violin
• inspiration
• encounter