What Is Those Were the Days About?
The premise of Those Were the Days in 293 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet moments of a 35th wedding anniversary, Petey Simmons and Martha Scroggs turn the pages of their shared past, tracing the unlikely spark that first drew them together on a bustling college campus. Their recollections drift between the exuberant chaos of youth and the measured reflection of a life built together, framing a story that balances humor with heartfelt nostalgia.
The film opens on a collegiate world alive with tradition, rival fraternities, and the electric buzz of first‑year optimism. Petey, a confident newcomer from a wealthy background, instantly reshapes the social rhythm of his dorm, his magnetic presence pulling both friends and admirers into his orbit. Alongside his shy roommate, he navigates a maze of social expectations, from a date set up with the campus beauty Mirabel Allstairs to the inevitable pull toward Martha, whose own quiet strength offers a counterpoint to his flamboyance.
Beyond the parties and dances, Petey carries a mischievous streak that routinely brushes against the campus’s more formal structures. His playful challenges to authority hint at a larger tension between youthful rebellion and the looming responsibilities that await, especially as his actions begin to intersect with the world of the law—embodied by the judge whose presence looms larger than a courtroom. This subtle cat‑and‑mouse dynamic fuels a budding romance, suggesting that the very forces that could keep them apart may instead draw them closer.
In the present day, the seasoned judge looks back on the unlikely trajectory that led his daughter and son‑in‑law to this enduring partnership. The film’s tone remains light‑hearted yet introspective, inviting viewers to consider how a carefree, impulsive start can evolve into a lasting connection, and how the echoes of college‑era choices continue to shape the contours of love and family across decades.
What Happens in Those Were the Days?
The complete story of Those Were the Days, from the first scene to the last, in 429 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
On their 35th wedding anniversary, Petey Simmons and Martha Scroggs look back on the college days that brought them together, a memory lane that helps them understand the life they built together.
In college, Petey Simmons arrives as a wealthy newcomer, and the social world around him shifts to accommodate his presence. Rival fraternities circle him, and his ego grows as crowds of fraternity brothers and admiring girls vie for his attention. At a campus dance, his shy roommate sets up a date with campus beauty Mirabel Allstairs, but Petey ends up ignoring his own date, Martha Scroggs, instead weaving through conversations and dancing with other girls.
A notorious prankster, Petey has already faced trouble with the law before. His playful tricks on campus escalate—one example involves tampering with a professor’s clocks to delay an exam. A later act of vandalism only deepens the trouble, and he is ultimately arrested again. The judge who presides over his case threatens serious consequences, handing down a six-month jail sentence. Seeking mercy, Petey asks for a one-week continuance before the official sentencing, and within that short window he makes a bold move: he discovers that Martha is the daughter of the judge.
With this revelation, the dynamics shift dramatically. When the plan to win over Martha comes to light, Petey finds himself locked in the town jail under the judge’s stern watch. Yet Martha is moved by his persistence and decides to orchestrate a reciprocal gesture—she allows herself to be arrested so that she can share the same cell as him, their fingers touching and hands intertwined between the iron bars as they exchange a quiet, intimate moment.
The narrative then returns to the present, where the elderly judge contemplates how his daughter and son-in-law came to be a couple. The tale threads through their past and their present, revealing the unlikely romance that reshaped their lives. A new note enters the story as the judge learns that Petey Jr. has also been arrested, but this development does not surprise him; it feels like a natural extension of the family’s complicated history.
Throughout, the film balances humor with tenderness, offering a portrait of how a wild, carefree start can lead to a committed, lasting bond. The memories from campus days illuminate the choices that defined their marriage, while the present-day reflections underscore the enduring ties between love, family, and the passage of time. In the end, the couple’s long union stands as a testament to the way past misunderstandings and impulsive decisions can evolve into shared memories and a deep, enduring connection.
Those Were the Days Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Present-day anniversary frames the story” to “Petey Jr. arrest rumor reaches present day”. 12 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
Present-day anniversary frames the story
On their 35th wedding anniversary, Petey and Martha recall how they first met in college. The memory frames the rest of the story as they discuss the choices that led to their life together. The scene sets a reflective mood that threads through the flashback.
When:Present day Where:Present day
- 2
Petey arrives at college as a wealthy newcomer
Petey Simmons arrives at college as a wealthy newcomer. Rival fraternities immediately scramble to court him, and his ego swells as they bid for his time. The energized campus atmosphere foreshadows the trouble and charm to come.
When:Early college days Where:College campus
- 3
Fraternity rivalry escalates
Rival fraternities compete fiercely for Petey's attention, amplifying the social carousel on campus. Petey enjoys the attention from both fraternity members and many girls, feeding his growing ego. The competition sets the stage for his later schemes and romances.
When:During early college days Where:College campus
- 4
Dance night and the date mix-up
At a school dance, Petey's shy roommate invites Mirabel Allstairs to be his date. Petey ignores his own date, Martha Scroggs, and dances with other girls instead. This moment seeds a complicated arc that will influence his choices later.
When:Dance night in college Where:School dance
- 5
Petey's pranks begin
Petey, who had previously been arrested, starts pulling campus pranks such as changing a professor's clocks to delay an exam. The stunts announce his defiant streak and hint at the consequences to come. The campus community begins to view him as both entertaining and trouble-prone.
When:Earlier in college career Where:College campus
- 6
Vandalism leads to another arrest
A later act of vandalism escalates his trouble and results in another arrest. The incident heightens tension with authorities and demonstrates the seriousness of his antics. It marks a turning point toward more severe consequences.
When:Later in college Where:Town/campus
- 7
The judge's six-month sentence
In court, the judge's temper boils over and he threatens to throw the book at Petey. The formal sentencing looming over him lays down a harsh consequence. The threat signals a pivotal moment that tests Petey's future.
When:During sentencing Where:Courtroom
- 8
Continuance and the Martha revelation
Petey asks for a week's continuance before sentencing, hoping to salvage something. During this window, he learns that Martha is the judge's daughter, which sharpens his resolve to pursue her. This revelation reshapes his plans and intentions.
When:Before sentencing Where:Courtroom and campus
- 9
Scheme revealed and jailed
The scheme comes to light, and the judge, furious, locks Petey in the town jail. The confrontation crystallizes the clash between Petey's impulses and the judge's authority. The dramatic moment intensifies the romance's stakes.
When:After the continuance Where:Town jail
- 10
Martha's jailhouse move
Martha, smitten with Petey, is intentionally arrested so she can share the jail cell with him. She holds his hand between the bars, signifying a bond that has deepened despite (or because of) the consequences. The scene seals their growing connection.
When:During jail scene Where:Town jail
- 11
Flashback ends; present-day reflections begin
The flashback ends and in the present day, the old judge still cannot believe how his daughter and son-in-law came together. The memory lingers as the family reflects on their unlikely romance. The narrative returns to the present with the couple's enduring bond.
When:Present day Where:Present day
- 12
Petey Jr. arrest rumor reaches present day
They also learn that Petey Jr. has just been arrested, and the judge is not surprised by the development. The news echoes the family’s legacy of trouble and resilience. The story closes with the sense that history may repeat itself in unexpected ways.
When:Present day Where:Present day
Who Are the Main Characters in Those Were the Days?
3 characters, among them Petey Simmons, Martha Scroggs and Judge: who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- PS
Petey Simmons
Petey is introduced as a wealthy newcomer whose confidence and charm attract attention from rival fraternities and campus crowds. His ego leads him to pranks and reckless behavior, including tampering with schedules and vandalism. Despite mounting trouble, his charisma helps him maneuver through consequences and win the heart of his love interest.
- 💎 Wealth and status
- 🌀 Fraternity life
- 🎯 Self-confidence
- 😎 Charm
- MS
Martha Scroggs
Martha is the judge's daughter who becomes the object of Petey's affection. She is smitten and takes bold steps to stay close, even orchestrating an arrest to share the same cell as him. Her actions reveal a mix of romance, risk-taking, and strategic thinking that helps bring them together.
- 💖 Romance
- 👩⚖️ Judge's daughter
- 🕊️ Determination
- 🧭 Campus life
- J
Judge
A stern authority figure who sentences Petey and whose decisions profoundly influence the young couple's fate. His interaction with his daughter adds a layer of family dynamics to the courtship and the story's moral undertones.
- ⚖️ Authority
- 🏛️ Courtroom
- 👨⚖️ Family ties
Where and When Is Those Were the Days Set?
Those Were the Days is set in College campus, Town jail and Courtroom (Present day and college days). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day and college days
The narrative alternates between the present as the couple celebrates their 35th wedding anniversary and flashbacks to their college years. The past is defined by exuberant campus life, rivalries, and Petey's escalating pranks that threaten his future. The present frames these memories, showing how time has both matured and tested their relationship.
Where
College campus, Town jail, Courtroom
The film moves between a bustling college campus where rival fraternities vie for attention during dances and pranks, and the town jail and courtroom where legal consequences shape the couple's fate. The campus setting is the social hub, full of schemes, alliances, and public displays of affection. The town jail scene and the judge's courtroom provide tension and define the stakes of the romance.
- 🎓 College life
- 🧭 Campus culture
- ⚖️ Law and order
What Are the Themes of Those Were the Days?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Romance, Memory and Rebellion.
-
01
Romance
A romance unfolds within a social backdrop of campus rivalries and youthful bravado. The relationship grows under scrutiny and danger, yet endures as both partners commit to one another. The story uses the between-times of past and present to show how love can weather mistakes and time.
-
02
Memory
The film leans on memory to anchor the present, weaving flashbacks into the narrative. The college days reveal how decisions made in youth ripple into adulthood. By revisiting these moments, the story emphasizes nostalgia, regret, and the long arc of a shared life.
-
03
Rebellion
Youthful mischief escalates into real consequences, framing the characters' motivations and growth. The pranks, arrests, and social codes of campus culture explore how rebellion can redefine destiny. The tension between freedom and responsibility drives the emotional core.
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 whimsical and lighthearted romantic comedy with mischievous college antics, centered on a charming but troubled student's unconventional courtship of a judge's daughter.
- romantic
- whimsical
- reminiscent
- mischievous
- playful
- sentimental
- college life
- romantic courtship
- pranks
- class differences
Content notes: incarceration, vandalism.
Quiz
How well do you remember Those Were the Days? Test yourself on the story.
