Those Were the Days! (1940) Plot Summary Explained

Petey was sentenced to six months in jail because he committed a second act of vandalism after already being in trouble for changing a professor's clocks to delay an exam. The judge, who was also Martha's father, threatened to throw the book at him for these repeated offenses.

Foreshadowing: Petey's earlier prank with the professor's clocks established his reckless behavior pattern that led to the more serious charges.

• arrest
• jail sentence
• vandalism
• college pranks
• judge

Martha intentionally got herself arrested because she was smitten with Petey and wanted to be near him after he was locked in jail. She purposely committed a minor offense so she could occupy the cell next to his, allowing them to hold hands between the bars.

Foreshadowing: Martha had been ignored by Petey at the dance, but her feelings for him grew despite his initial indifference.

• arrest
• love
• jail
• romance
• Martha Scroggs

After discovering that Martha was the judge's daughter during his continuance period, Petey decided to court her in hopes that winning her favor would soften the judge's stance on his sentencing. He shifted from his usual mischief to romance as a strategic move.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows Petey asking for a continuance specifically to straighten out his affairs, then discovering Martha's identity.

• courtship
• Judge Jennings
• continuance
• strategy
• Martha

When Petey's scheme to win Martha's affection to influence the judge was revealed, the judge became furious and locked him in the town jail. The judge saw through Petey's manipulation and punished him for trying to use his daughter to avoid proper consequences.

Foreshadowing: Petey's history of pranks and his sudden interest in Martha raised suspicion from the beginning.

• scheme exposed
• judge anger
• jail
• manipulation

Martha fell in love with Petey because his bold, rebellious personality contrasted sharply with the more conventional college suitors around her. Even though Petey initially ignored her at the dance in favor of other girls, his mischievous charm appealed to her, and his willingness to risk everything for romance ultimately won her heart.

Foreshadowing: At the school dance, Martha was positioned as Petey's date but was overlooked, yet the narrative foreshadows their eventual connection.

• love
• charm
• mischief
• attraction
• Petey Simmons

The judge has trouble believing how his daughter and Petey came together because their relationship began through Petey's manipulative scheme to win Martha over to influence the judge's sentencing. Even decades later at their 35th anniversary, the judge remains unconvinced that their romance was genuine rather than a calculated ploy.

Foreshadowing: The judge's skepticism is seeded throughout the courtroom scenes where Petey's intentions are clearly self-serving.

• skepticism
• judge
• relationship
• anniversary
• disbelief

At the end of the movie, Petey and Martha receive news that their son Petey Jr. has just been arrested. The old judge is not surprised by this news, implying that the pattern of youthful mischief and run-ins with the law has repeated itself in the next generation, creating a cyclical family legacy.

Foreshadowing: The entire flashback structure establishes Petey's college troublemaking as a family pattern that now continues with his son.

• Petey Jr.
• arrest
• legacy
• family pattern
• sequel hint

At the school dance, Petey ignored his assigned date Martha Scroggs because he was a wealthy newcomer whose ego was swelling from all the attention he received from rival fraternities and campus girls. His focus was on maximizing his social status rather than honoring his existing commitment.

Foreshadowing: Petey's arrogance as a wealthy newcomer was established when he first arrived on campus, making his behavior at the dance predictable.

• school dance
• arrogance
• social status
• date
• roommate

Petey's first notable prank was changing all the professor's clocks to delay an exam, giving students extra time to prepare. This stunt showcased his growing reckless streak and was his initial encounter with campus authorities before the more serious vandalism charges.

Foreshadowing: The clock prank established Petey as a troublemaker early in his college career, setting up the pattern that led to his eventual arrest.

• prank
• professor
• exam
• clocks
• mischief

Rival fraternities aggressively courted Petey because he was a wealthy newcomer whose presence could enhance their social status and influence on campus. His wealth made him a valuable recruit, causing his ego to swell as he became the center of attention.

Foreshadowing: The fraternities' competition for Petey immediately established his elevated social position and contributed to his growing arrogance.

• fraternities
• wealth
• social status
• college
• attention