What Is This Day and Age About?
The premise of This Day and Age in 303 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In contemporary America the line between law and menace blurs on every street, and the city’s uneasy balance is suddenly tipped by a notorious mobster whose silence after a brutal act leaves the community reeling. The film opens with a palpable tension as the mobster, Louis Garrett, moves through the shadows of a world that seems to shrug off accountability, setting a tone that feels both gritty and oddly hopeful—hope that the ordinary can rise against the extraordinary.
Against this backdrop, a small band of high‑school students discovers a shared determination that quickly evolves into something more than teenage rebellion. Steve Smith, an earnest class president, teams up with the quick‑witted Gus Ruffo and the daring Billy Anderson, each bringing a different shade of youthful idealism to the table. Their camaraderie is rooted in a collective sense of injustice, and the screenplay leans into the raw energy of adolescence—full of swagger, secret meetings, and the untested confidence that only a generation on the brink of adulthood can possess.
The tone oscillates between sharp, pre‑Code edge and earnest, almost naïve optimism. As the students plot a daring response, the film hints at a confrontation that pushes them into morally murky territory, suggesting a dark, visceral showdown that tests the limits of their courage. The atmosphere crackles with the urgency of a community that refuses to be silenced, while the stylized visuals and brisk dialogue keep the suspense humming just beneath the surface.
Through its crisp black‑and‑white aesthetic and a soundtrack that blends city noise with youthful rhythm, the movie invites viewers to wonder how far ordinary people will go when the conventional system fails them. The stage is set for a clash that feels as much about personal growth as it is about exacting justice, leaving the audience perched on the edge of anticipation.
What Happens in This Day and Age?
The complete story of This Day and Age, from the first scene to the last, in 461 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 8 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
During Boys’ Week at racially integrated North High School, students Steve Smith Richard Cromwell, Gus Ruffo Ben Alexander, and Billy Anderson Michael Stuart are elected to temporarily hold the city offices of district attorney, judge, and chief of police, setting up a high-stakes experiment in youth-led governance.
When Jewish tailor Herman Harry Green refuses to pay protection money to Louis Garrett Charles Bickford, Garrett’s gang bombs his shop. Herman and the student who was with him survive the blast, but Herman is later murdered by Garrett after he again refuses to pay. Garrett is quickly acquitted of murder charges thanks to a perfect alibi, leaving Steve to feel the sting of a trial where his witness testimony fails to prove guilt.
Frustrated but undeterred, Billy, Gus, and Sam Weber Lester Arnold decide to investigate on their own. They uncover a partial cufflink at the murder scene, a clue that points toward Garrett’s circle. The trio breaks into Garrett’s bedroom, but Garrett is tipped off by Morry Dover Ben Alexander, a student who is competing with Steve for the affections of Gay Merrick Judith Allen. Dover’s warning sends them scrambling, but the seeds of a plan have been planted.
At Garrett’s club, Dover introduces Gay to Toledo Bradley Page, Garrett’s enforcer, and the tension between loyalty and ambition escalates. In a brutal turn, Garrett shoots Billy, killing him, and frames Gus for the crime, leaving the community stunned and the investigation far from closed. After the funeral, Steve bears guilt over Gay’s supposed involvement in Dover’s tip-off and begins to rally a broader effort.
Steve assembles hundreds of student body presidents from neighboring high schools, turning a campus initiative into a city-wide pursuit of justice. With relentless energy, the students coordinate a makeshift legal process; Garrett is captured and taken to a remote brickyard for a secret trial, while Gay and Dover seek redemption by drawing Toledo’s attention, though Gay is forced to seduce him in the process. Garrett confesses only after the students suspend him over a pit filled with rats, and the crowd—backed by a sympathetic police presence—marches him to City Hall to witness a formal confession.
Meanwhile, the real “big” boss behind Garrett’s protection racket has already left town, removing one layer of the criminal networks from the equation. After eluding Toledo, Gay arrives to witness Garrett’s arrest, and Garrett signs the confession. Gus is released, and Steve, Gay, and Dover sit in a borrowed car, listening to a live broadcast about their own actions until a police officer arrives to arrest them for being in a stolen vehicle. The story closes on a note that blends teenage courage with the consequences of vigilantism, leaving the characters to reckon with what justice looks like when youth and crime collide.
This Day and Age Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Election of youth officeholders at North High” to “Final arrest and broadcast ending”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Election of youth officeholders at North High
During Boys' Week at racially integrated North High School, Steve Smith, Gus Ruffo and Billy Anderson are elected to temporarily hold city offices: district attorney, judge and chief of police. The event establishes the kids’ leadership role in the story and showcases the power of student activism. The setting is the school, signaling the blend of adolescence with civic ambition.
When:Boys' Week Where:North High School
- 2
Protection money refusal leads to bombing
Herman, a Jewish tailor, refuses to pay protection money to Louis Garrett. Garrett's gang bombs Herman's tailor shop in retaliation, though Herman and the accompanying student survive the blast. The attack marks the violent start of the corruption that drives the plot.
When:After the refusal Where:Herman's tailor shop
- 3
Herman is murdered by Garrett
Garrett later murders Herman after he again refuses to pay protection money. The killing demonstrates the reach of Garrett's power and motivates Steve and the others to seek justice. The murder scene follows the bombing, compounding the community's fear.
Where:Herman's shop
- 4
Garrett acquitted due to alibi
Garrett is acquitted of the murder charges because he has a perfect alibi. The outcome shocks Steve and undermines faith in the system. The courthouse becomes the setting for this pivotal moment.
When:Trial Where:Courthouse
- 5
Steve testifies and is humiliated
Steve, who took the stand during the trial, is humiliated because he cannot prove Garrett's guilt. The experience fuels his resolve to take matters into his own hands. The courtroom moment underscores the limitations of the official process.
When:During trial Where:Courthouse
- 6
Investigation: Billy, Gus and Sam form a team
Billy Anderson, Gus Ruffo and Sam Weber decide to investigate the case on their own after the trial. They pursue leads and gather evidence, risking confrontation with Garrett's network. Their initiative marks a shift from official to citizen-led justice.
When:Following trial Where:City and North High School vicinity
- 7
Cufflink clue at the murder scene
The trio discovers part of a cufflink at the murder scene, hinting at a link to Garrett's circle. The clue deepens their suspicion and directs their investigation toward Garrett's associates. It becomes a turning point in connecting the killings to the suspect.
Where:Murder scene
- 8
Break-in and tip-off from Morry Dover
They break into Garrett's bedroom, but Morry Dover, a rival student, tips Garrett off. The alert foils the break-in and reveals the tension between students competing for Gay Merrick's attention. The confrontation heightens the stakes of their clandestine operation.
Where:Garrett's bedroom
- 9
Dover introduces Gay Merrick to Toledo
At Garrett's club, Dover introduces Gay Merrick to Toledo, Garrett's thug. The introduction reveals the underworld connections guarding Garrett's protection racket. The scene establishes the triangle of loyalties among students, Gay, and the criminals.
Where:Garrett's club
- 10
Billy is shot and Gus is framed
Garrett shoots Billy, killing him, and frames Gus for the murder and robbery. The brutal act escalates the conflict and sets up Steve's determination to confront Garrett publicly. The club becomes the stage for the violence.
Where:Garrett's club
Show the other 5 events of This Day and Age Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Funeral and accusatory tensions
After Billy's funeral, Steve blames Gay for divulging information to Dover. The personal betrayals complicate the mission and influence future decisions. The funeral serves as a grim backdrop for the next steps in mobilizing the student body.
Where:Funeral scene
- 12
Plan to arrest Garrett with student presidents
Steve gathers the student body presidents from neighboring high schools and formulates a plan to arrest Garrett. The collaboration expands the movement beyond their campus and multiplies the pressure on the gangster. The plan culminates in direct action against Garrett's network.
Where:Neighboring high schools
- 13
Hundreds mobilize for a brickyard trial
With hundreds of students behind them, Steve captures Garrett and drives him to a local brickyard for a secret trial. The informal court asserts a form of citizen justice outside the official system. The crowd's presence amplifies the threat Garrett faces.
Where:Brickyard
- 14
Garrett confesses; mob moves to city hall
To secure a witnessed confession, Garrett is suspended over a pit of rats and he confesses. The mob then marches him to City Hall with police assistance to obtain a public confession. The dramatic moment brings official attention to the students' actions.
Where:City Hall
- 15
Final arrest and broadcast ending
Garrett's confession is signed and Gus is released as Steve, Gay and Dover listen to a broadcast about themselves in a borrowed car. Gay arrives to witness Garrett's arrest while the real boss leaves town in the background. The scene closes with a sense of triumph tempered by the ongoing police watch over the trio.
Where:City (and borrowed car)
Who Are the Main Characters in This Day and Age?
6 characters, among them Steve Smith (Richard Cromwell), Louis Garrett (Charles Bickford) and Billy Anderson (Michael Stuart): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- SS
Steve Smith (Richard Cromwell)
Played by Richard Cromwell
Steve is a determined, ambitious student leader who helps organize the anti-corruption effort. He aims to hold Garrett to account and mobilizes peers to act beyond the classroom. His initial stand in court humbles him, but it strengthens his resolve to pursue justice through collective action.
- 🎭 Drama
- 🧭 Leadership
-
Louis Garrett (Charles Bickford)
Played by Charles Bickford
Garrett is the city’s ruthless crime boss who runs a protection racket and wields political influence. He manipulates officials, commands a network of thugs, and uses his nightlife venue to project power. His perfect alibi and brutal enforcement keep him one step ahead until the student-led challenge confronts him directly.
- 💼 Crime
- 🗡️ Villain
-
Billy Anderson (Michael Stuart)
Played by Michael Stuart
Billy is a bold, energetic student leader who joins Steve and Gus in the plan to expose Garrett. His courage drives the early raid on Garrett's apartment, but his death becomes a pivotal moment that intensifies the drive for justice. His sacrifice galvanizes the student body to push for real accountability.
- 🎯 Action
- 🧭 Leadership
- MD
Morry Dover (Ben Alexander)
Played by Ben Alexander
Morry Dover is a student who competes with Steve for Gay Merrick’s affections and ultimately betrays the plan by tipping Garrett off. His self-serving motives add tension and complication to the investigation, forcing the protagonists to adapt. His actions illustrate how personal rivalries can intersect with public crime.
- 💔 Betrayal
- 🔍 Scheming
- GM
Gay Merrick (Judith Allen)
Played by Judith Allen
Gay is a central figure whose affections entwine with the boys’ scheme. She becomes entangled in the events and assists in the plan by influencing Garrett’s circle, including an encounter with Toledo. Her role evolves as the pursuit of justice unfolds, culminating in her presence at Garrett’s downfall.
- ❤️ Romance
- 🕊️ Redemption
- T(
Toledo (Bradley Page)
Played by Bradley Page
Toledo is Garrett’s ruthless thug who acts as the enforcer and a danger to the investigators. He represents the violent side of the protection racket and stands as a continuous obstacle to the students’ efforts. His involvement heightens the stakes of the confrontation with organized crime.
- 🗡️ Crime
- 🤝 Enforcer
Where and When Is This Day and Age Set?
This Day and Age is set in North High School, City Hall, Garrett's Nightclub and Brickyard (Early 1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Early 1930s
Set in the early 1930s during the Depression-era cityscape, the film uses this period's economic strain and corrupt politics to heighten the stakes. The era amplifies the danger of standing up to entrenched interests and mob influence. It presents a snapshot of an urban America where youth movemement and public outrage seek to push for accountability.
Where
North High School, City Hall, Garrett's Nightclub, Brickyard
The story centers on racially integrated North High School in an urban city, a backdrop that foregrounds social tension and youth activism. Action moves from the school to sites of crime and power in the city, including Garrett's nightclub and a local brickyard used for a secret proceeding. These locations show how education, crime, and local politics collide in a tense, reform-minded atmosphere.
- 🏙️ Urban setting
- 🎓 Integrated school
- 🕵️ Crime backdrop
What Are the Themes of This Day and Age?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Youth Power, Justice vs Mob Rule and Racial Integration & Social Change.
-
01
Youth Power
Young people step into leadership during Boys' Week, taking action to challenge corruption. Steve, Billy, Gus, and their peers mobilize to expose Garrett and force accountability, despite social risks. The narrative frames youth as capable change-makers when they unite. Their efforts show the potential of collective action to disrupt a corrupt system.
-
02
Justice vs Mob Rule
The film pits formal legal processes against vigilante and mob-driven punishment. The students stage a secret trial in a brickyard, highlighting flaws in the system and the pressure to deliver justice by any means. The drama critiques how public sentiment can trump due process while still driving reform. Ultimately, institutional accountability and public voice are depicted as necessary, even if messy.
-
03
Racial Integration & Social Change
Set against an integrated high school, the story uses this environment to explore early 1930s social progress and resistance. Interactions across different backgrounds reveal both opportunity and prejudice, shaping the characters' choices. The youth-led actions challenge the status quo and hint at ongoing civil rights struggles, underscoring the era's transitions.
What Kind of Film Is This Day and Age?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A fast-paced and tense pre-Code drama that pulses with the righteous anger of youth taking justice into their own hands, creating a confrontational and urgent atmosphere with moments of grim retribution.
- tense
- urgent
- righteous
- vengeful
- somber
- confrontational
- vigilante justice
- youth activism
- corruption
- murder
Content notes: murder, torture, gang violence.
Quiz
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Where to Watch This Day and Age
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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