Things Are Looking Up 1935

Cicely Fytte, a circus equestrienne and the twin sister of Bertha Fytte, disapproves of her sister. Bertha is a strict schoolteacher at a girls’ boarding school and not well liked by the girls. One day Bertha elopes with a wrestler, so Cicely temporarily takes her place as teacher for one day to prevent her from losing her job, aided by Van Gaard, the music teacher. The students are immediately surprised by Cicely’s bubbly demeanor, sensing that something about the situation is off but not yet realizing who she truly is.

What follows is a string of lighthearted misadventures. In a lively music class, the students belt out vibrant tunes, sparking the creation of the memorable song Things Are Looking Up. On the tennis court, Cicely manages a Wimbledon victory despite lacking Bertha’s experience, even though she breaks a racket in the process. She also attempts to teach geometry, a subject she admittedly does not fully master. Through a blend of charm, improvisation, and sheer enthusiasm, Cicely begins to win the favor of the girls and to show that unconventional methods can yield real results.

Her unexpected success complicates Bertha’s own path. Bertha is eventually shortlisted to succeed the retiring headmistress, and when she returns, she takes on the position of headmistress, while Cicely’s offbeat approach has already made a lasting impression on the school community. As soon as Bertha comes back to the school, Cicely leaves with the music teacher in his car, [Van Gaard], and together they reprise their earlier lesson’s song—the uplifting Things Are Looking Up.