What Is Those Were the Days! About?
The premise of Those Were the Days! in 348 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the warmth of a family reunion, an elderly man casts his mind back to the spirited days of his youth, unraveling a tale of college life that is as humorous as it is heartfelt. Those Were the Days! captures the timeless struggle between youthful exuberance and the hard-won wisdom of age, presenting a nostalgic look at a time when every mistake felt like a tragedy and every success a triumph. The film invites viewers into a world where memory softens the edges of folly, allowing the past to shine with a golden, if somewhat mischievous, glow.
William Holden stars as Petey Simmons, a wealthy and charismatic newcomer whose arrival on campus sparks a frenzy of attention. As rival fraternities compete for his allegiance and his ego inflates under the pressure of popularity, Petey becomes the center of a social whirlwind. Yet, amidst the clamor of campus beauty queens and social climbers, he remains largely oblivious to the quieter, more genuine presence of Martha Scroggs, played with tender charm by Bonita Granville.
The story thrives on the contrast between Petey’s brash confidence and the consequences of his naive ambitions. His freshman year is defined by a series of misadventures that test the patience of the academic community and local authorities alike. As the stakes rise and his antics draw the scrutiny of a formidable judge, the line between harmless pranks and serious trouble begins to blur. The film deftly blends comedy with a sense of impending reckoning, setting the stage for a personal transformation that is as unpredictable as it is inevitable.
Ultimately, this is a film about the enduring power of memory and the unexpected ways lives intertwine. Through the haze of nostalgia, the characters confront the reality that the path to maturity is rarely a straight line. The dynamic between Holden and Granville provides the emotional anchor, offering a sweet counterpoint to the chaotic energy of fraternity life. As the past and present merge, the audience is left to reflect on how the seeds of a lifetime are often sown in the impulsive soil of youth.
What Happens in Those Were the Days!?
The complete story of Those Were the Days!, from the first scene to the last, in 233 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
On their 35th wedding anniversary, Petey Simmons, William Holden, and Martha Scroggs reminisce about how they first met in college. Petey, a wealthy newcomer, quickly becomes the center of attention as rival fraternities vie for his time, and his ego swells as both fraternities and campus girls jockey for a piece of his attention.
At a school dance, his shy roommate arranges for campus beauty Mirabel Allstairs, Judith Barrett, to be his date, while Petey ignores his own partner, Martha Scroggs, Bonita Granville, and dances with other girls.
Petey, who had previously been arrested, pulls pranks on campus—changing a professor’s clocks to delay an exam. A later act of vandalism leads to another arrest. The judge—Judge Squire Jennings, Aldrich Bowker—threatens to throw the book at him, sentencing him to six months in jail. Petey asks for a week’s continuance before sentencing and spends that time courting Martha after discovering she is the judge’s daughter.
When the scheme is revealed, Petey is locked in the town jail by the angry judge. Yet Martha is smitten with him and deliberately gets arrested so that she can occupy the cell next to Petey’s, holding hands between the bars.
With the flashback complete, the present-day sequence shows the old judge still not fully believing how his daughter and son-in-law came together. They also learn that Petey Jr. has just been arrested, but the judge is not surprised.
Those Were the Days! Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Petey arrives at college as a wealthy newcomer” to “Old judge's lingering disbelief”. 11 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Petey arrives at college as a wealthy newcomer
Petey steps onto the college campus as a newly arrived wealthy newcomer whose presence stirs the social scene. Rival fraternities aggressively court him, and his ego swells as they bid for his time. The campus atmosphere becomes a mirror of status and desire around his every move.
When:Early college years Where:College campus
- 2
Dance night and the roommate's date
At a school dance, Petey's shy roommate arranges for Mirabel Allstairs to be his date. Petey ignores his own date, Martha Scroggs, and moves from group to group, dancing with other girls. The night foreshadows the complications that will bind his future marriage.
When:College years Where:School dance hall
- 3
First campus prank and its consequences
Petey, already known for trouble, pulls a prank by changing professors' clocks to delay an exam. The stunt showcases his growing reckless streak and earns him notice from campus authorities. The mischief becomes a prelude to more serious consequences.
When:During college Where:Campus
- 4
A second act of vandalism leads to arrest
A later act of vandalism leads to another arrest, and the judge threatens the full weight of the law. The prospect of real jail time looms over Petey as the weeks count down. The severity of the situation marks a turning point in his college years.
When:Late college years Where:Town/campus vicinity
- 5
Plea for a continuance before sentencing
Before sentencing, Petey asks for a week's continuance to straighten out his affairs. He then discovers that Martha is the judge's daughter, and resolves to win her favor during the downtime. The courtroom atmosphere tightens as plans begin to take shape.
When:Shortly before sentencing Where:Courthouse
- 6
Petey courts Martha during the delays
With the continuance granted, Petey shifts from mischief to romance and begins courting Martha. He leans on the chance that winning her over can soften the judge's stance. The campus and courthouse become intertwined as their romance blooms in the margins of legal peril.
When:During continuance period Where:Courthouse and college campus
- 7
Scheme exposed; Petey is jailed
Petey's scheme is discovered, and the angry judge locks him in the town jail. The bold tactic to win Martha backfires, trapping him behind bars. The jail's stark environment sets the stage for their bond to deepen in an unexpected way.
When:Immediately after the reveal Where:Town jail
- 8
Martha chooses love and gets arrested to be with him
Martha, smitten with Petey, intentionally gets herself arrested so she can share the cell next to his. They reach through the bars to hold hands, a small act that seals their commitment. In the confines of the jail, love takes a dramatic, public form.
When:During mutual incarceration Where:Jail cell
- 9
Present-day return to the past
Back in the present day, the old judge still cannot fully believe how his daughter and son-in-law found each other. Petey and Martha recount their college years during their 35th anniversary, blending memory with present love. The past lingers as a living, affectionate thread in their marriage.
When:Present Where:Present day
- 10
Petey Jr. arrested sparks quiet concern
They receive news that Petey Jr. has just been arrested, and the judge is not surprised by the family pattern. The development hints at a legacy of trouble and the ongoing pull between law and love. The family saga continues to unfold.
When:Present Where:Present day
- 11
Old judge's lingering disbelief
The judge expresses continued disbelief at how his daughter and son-in-law came together. The anniversary serves as a reminder of a romance that defied expectations and became the foundation of a family. The memory of their union remains a central theme of the family's present.
When:Present Where:Present day
Who Are the Main Characters in Those Were the Days!?
5 characters, among them Petey Simmons (William Holden), Martha Scroggs (Bonita Granville) and Mirabel Allstairs (Judith Barrett): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Petey Simmons (William Holden)
Played by William Holden
Petey is a wealthy newcomer to the college who lets his ego drive pranks and flirtations. His schemes create the social turbulence that defines campus life, but his arc bends toward growth as he falls for Martha. The crucial turning point comes when he discovers Martha is the judge’s daughter and he reforms enough to pursue a real relationship.
- 💫 Prankster
- 💘 Romantic
- 🎭 Transformation
- MS
Martha Scroggs (Bonita Granville)
Played by Bonita Granville
Martha is the judge’s daughter who becomes Petey’s love interest. She allies with his romance by stepping into the consequences of his actions, ultimately influencing the judge and their future. She embodies a mix of charm, independence, and romantic resolve.
- 💖 Romantic lead
- 🏛️ Daughter of authority
- 🔗 Catalyst
- MA
Mirabel Allstairs (Judith Barrett)
Played by Judith Barrett
Mirabel is the campus beauty who captures attention at dances and represents the social whirl of college life. She is part of the dating culture that surrounds Petey and helps spark the romance’s early dynamics. Her presence highlights the contrast between social appeal and genuine affection.
- 💃 Socialite
- 🏁 Social dynamic
- 💫 Catalyst
- KR
Keg Rearick (Alan Ladd)
Played by Alan Ladd
Keg is a brash fraternity member who embodies the rival or rowdy college culture that Petey navigates. He contributes to the competitive atmosphere and the humor of the campus’s social hierarchy. His role pushes Petey to confront consequences and grow.
- ⚡ Fraternity
- 🧭 Challenger
- 😂 Comic foil
- JS
Judge Squire Jennings (Aldrich Bowker)
Played by Aldrich Bowker
The judge is a stern authority figure and Martha’s father who wields the law as both threat and instrument of order. His initial punitive stance motivates Petey’s urgency to reform. By the end, his daughter’s romance and Petey’s changes soften the judge’s perspective.
- ⚖️ Authority
- 💼 Judge
- 🛡️ Patriarch
Where and When Is Those Were the Days! Set?
Those Were the Days! is set in College campus and Town jail (Present day and college days). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day and college days
The film bookends a 35th wedding anniversary in the present with a flashback to the couple’s college years. It contrasts carefree student pranks and social maneuvering with later consequences and courtroom authority. The dual timelines highlight how youth choices ripple into adulthood.
Where
College campus, Town jail
The action centers on a college campus filled with fraternities, dances, and campus pranks. The later stretch moves to the town jail and the judge’s environment, anchoring the present-day framing of the story. The setting blends college life with legal consequences and family dynamics.
- 🏫 Campus
- 🏛️ Judicial town
- 🎭 Romantic setting
What Are the Themes of Those Were the Days!?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love, Redemption and Class.
-
01
Love
Love serves as the transformative force that reconciles Petey’s impulsive nature with Martha’s values. The romance bridges social differences, turning the couple’s initial attraction into a lasting bond.
-
02
Redemption
Petey’s mischief and arrests push him toward personal growth. Through vulnerability and commitment to Martha, he shifts from a prank-prone youth to a more responsible partner.
-
03
Class
The story probes social boundaries between a wealthy newcomer and a judge’s daughter. Humor and romance temper power dynamics, showing how status can be softened by affection and shared moments.
What Kind of Film Is Those Were the Days!?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A nostalgic and sentimental college comedy that warmly reflects on youthful misadventures, first love, and the playful foolishness of growing up.
- nostalgic
- sentimental
- whimsical
- playful
- romantic
- reflective
- coming of age
- first love
- campus life
- youthful folly
Content notes: incarceration.
Quiz
How well do you remember Those Were the Days!? Test yourself on the story.
