Things Are Looking Up (1935) Plot Summary Explained

Bertha elopes with a wrestler despite being a strict schoolteacher, though the specific reasons for her choice aren't detailed in the summary. The elopement puts her teaching position at risk, which is why her twin sister Cicely steps in to cover for her. The pairing represents the film's comedic contrast between Bertha's rigid professional life and her sudden, impulsive personal decision.

• bertha elopement
• wrestler
• schoolteacher
• twin sister

Cicely enters a Wimbledon tennis match and pulls off an unlikely victory through her unorthodox technique and fearless spirit. She breaks a racket in the exhilaration of playing, demonstrating that her unconventional approach can yield surprising results. The win showcases her wildcard personality contrasting with the traditional, structured environment of the school.

• wimbledon
• tennis
• cicely victory
• circus performer

Cicely's substitute teaching proves surprisingly successful, and she effectively becomes headmistress by the end of her short tenure. However, when Bertha returns to the school, she takes over the position of headmistress since she was originally shortlisted to succeed the retiring headmistress. Cicely leaves before the formal handover, so Bertha officially gets the job while Cicely's influence remains visible.

Foreshadowing: Bertha being shortlisted to succeed the retiring headmistress early in the story sets up the leadership question.

• headmistress
• cicely
• bertha
• school position

The song 'Things Are Looking Up' is created during Cicely's music class when her exuberant energy inspires the students to sing. It becomes a memorable musical moment that represents the joyful, uplifting transformation she brings to the school. The song reappears at the end when Cicely and Van Gaard sing it together as they drive away, serving as a thematic capstone to her brief but impactful tenure.

Foreshadowing: The music class scene where students belt out vibrant tunes directly leads to the song's creation.

• things are looking up song
• music class
• cicely
• van gaard

As soon as Bertha returns to the school, Cicely leaves with Van Gaard, the music teacher, in his car. They drive away while singing the song they created in the music lesson. Their departure represents a bittersweet farewell to Cicely's temporary reign and suggests a romantic connection has formed between them during her time at the school.

Foreshadowing: Van Gaard aids Cicely in covering for her sister from the beginning, establishing their working relationship.

• van gaard
• cicely departure
• romantic interest
• driving away

Cicely agrees to cover for Bertha because Bertha's sudden elopement with a wrestler puts her teaching position at risk. As Bertha's twin, Cicely is the only person who can impersonate her well enough to prevent the school from discovering her absence. Despite disapproving of her sister's strict ways, Cicely steps in to help protect Bertha's job.

• cicely substitute
• twin sister
• bertha job
• covering

The summary indicates the girls sense something is off about Cicely's bubbly demeanor but never explicitly states they discover her true identity. The students are surprised by her carefree style and worry discipline will vanish, yet Cicely's charm wins them over. The focus remains on her unconventional methods yielding positive results rather than on a reveal moment.

• students discover
• cicely identity
• twins
• impersonation

Despite eloping and leaving her post, Bertha is eventually shortlisted to succeed the retiring headmistress. When she returns to the school, she takes on the position of headmistress. This outcome suggests her professional reputation survived the impulsive elopement, possibly because Cicely's successful cover-up prevented any scandal from reaching the administration.

• bertha career
• headmistress position
• elopement consequences

Bertha is described as a strict schoolteacher not well liked by the students, while Cicely brings a bubbly, carefree approach to the classroom. Cicely relies on charm, improvisation, and sheer enthusiasm rather than rigid discipline. She even admits to not fully mastering geometry but still engages students through playful demonstrations. Her methods prove more effective than expected, winning over both students and eventually the administration.

• teaching style
• strict vs bubbly
• cicely methods
• bertha strictness