Those Were the Days (1934 film)
Encyclopedia
Those were the Days is a film primarily remembered as Will Hay
's first major film role. It was based on the farce The Magistrate (1885) written by playwright Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, and was the first of two Hay movies that were based Pinero's plays, the other being Dandy Dick
. The movie also featured music hall
acts of the time - acts of a type rarely committed to film.
) is concerned that his wife may be older than he believes her to be, especially as his young stepson (John Mills
) seems very precocious for an apparently fifteen year old boy.
With a friend of Mrs Poskett's first husband (who knows her true age) coming to visit, Mrs Poskett (Iris Hoey
) tries to stop the visit by confronting him at a local music hall. Unknown to her though, Poskett has also been convinced to go to the music hall and in the ensuing melee, Poskett's wife and her sister are arrested.
The following day, Poskett sentences both to seven days imprisonment, failing to recognise them as they are heavily veiled.
Will Hay
William Thomson "Will" Hay was an English comedian, actor, film director and amateur astronomer.-Early life:He was born in Stockton-on-Tees, in north east England, to William R...
's first major film role. It was based on the farce The Magistrate (1885) written by playwright Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, and was the first of two Hay movies that were based Pinero's plays, the other being Dandy Dick
Dandy Dick
Dandy Dick is a 1935 British comedy film starring Will Hay. It was based on the 1887 play Dandy Dick by Arthur Wing Pinero. It is the second and last of his films to be based on a play by Pinero – the first was Those Were the Days which was based on The Magistrate.-Plot:A vicar who lives in...
. The movie also featured music hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
acts of the time - acts of a type rarely committed to film.
Synopsis
Strait-laced Magistrate Brutus Poskett (Will HayWill Hay
William Thomson "Will" Hay was an English comedian, actor, film director and amateur astronomer.-Early life:He was born in Stockton-on-Tees, in north east England, to William R...
) is concerned that his wife may be older than he believes her to be, especially as his young stepson (John Mills
John Mills
Sir John Mills CBE , born Lewis Ernest Watts Mills, was an English actor who made more than 120 films in a career spanning seven decades.-Life and career:...
) seems very precocious for an apparently fifteen year old boy.
With a friend of Mrs Poskett's first husband (who knows her true age) coming to visit, Mrs Poskett (Iris Hoey
Iris Hoey
Iris Hoey was a British actress in the first half of the twentieth century, both on stage and in movies. She married twice, first to Max Leeds, then the actor Cyril Raymond but divorced on both occasions....
) tries to stop the visit by confronting him at a local music hall. Unknown to her though, Poskett has also been convinced to go to the music hall and in the ensuing melee, Poskett's wife and her sister are arrested.
The following day, Poskett sentences both to seven days imprisonment, failing to recognise them as they are heavily veiled.
Cast
- Will HayWill HayWilliam Thomson "Will" Hay was an English comedian, actor, film director and amateur astronomer.-Early life:He was born in Stockton-on-Tees, in north east England, to William R...
as Magistrate Brutus Poskett - Iris HoeyIris HoeyIris Hoey was a British actress in the first half of the twentieth century, both on stage and in movies. She married twice, first to Max Leeds, then the actor Cyril Raymond but divorced on both occasions....
as Agatha Poskett - Angela BaddeleyAngela BaddeleyAngela Baddeley, CBE , born Madeline Angela Clinton-Baddeley, was an English actress best remembered for her role as Mrs Bridges in the period drama Upstairs, Downstairs...
as Charlotte - Claud Allister as Capt. Horace Vale
- George GravesGeorge GravesGeorge Graves was the author of a comprehensive instruction guidebook for beginners in natural history at a time when there was a growing interest in collecting animal, plant and geological specimens.-The naturalist's pocket-book:...
as Col. Alexader Lukyn - John MillsJohn MillsSir John Mills CBE , born Lewis Ernest Watts Mills, was an English actor who made more than 120 films in a career spanning seven decades.-Life and career:...
as Bobby - Jane Carr as Minnie Taylor
- Marguerite AllanMarguerite Allan-Selected filmography:* Under the Greenwood Tree * The Romance of Seville * Matinee Idol * Daughters of Today * Blossom Time * Those Were the Days * The Big Splash...
as Eve Douglas - H.F. MaltbyH.F. MaltbyHenry Francis Maltby was a prolific writer for the London stage and British cinema from after the First World War, until the 1950s. He also appeared in many films.-Life and career:...
as Mr. Bullamy - Laurence HanrayLaurence HanrayLaurence Hanray , sometimes credited as Lawrence Hanray, was a British film actor born in London, England.-Partial filmography:* Beyond the Cities * Her Reputation * The Faithful Heart...
as Wormington - Syd CrossleySyd CrossleySyd Crossley was an English film actor. He appeared in 114 films between 1925 and 1942.He was born in London, England and died in Troon, Scotland...
as Wyke - Wally PatchWally PatchWally Patch was a British character actor, who had supporting roles in many films. He was born Walter Sidney Vinnicombe in Willesden, London on 26 September 1888...
as Insp. Briggs - Jimmy GoddenJimmy GoddenJimmy Godden was a British film actor.He was educated at Christ's Hospital and was in the Civil Service before becoming a concert pianist...
as Pat Maloney