Those Were the Days (1934 film)

British International Pictures

Industry	Film production
Headquarters	Elstree , United Kingdom
Products	Films

Those Were the Days is a 1934 British comedy film directed by Thomas Bentley, featuring performances by Will Hay, Iris Hoey, and John Mills. The movie adapts Arthur Wing Pinero's 1885 farce The Magistrate and represents the first of two Will Hay films based on Pinero's works, followed by Dandy Dick. It includes acts from the period's music hall scene, preserving rare filmed renditions, and marks Will Hay's debut in a leading cinematic role.

The production was handled by British International Pictures and shot at their Elstree Studios. The visual design was created under the guidance of art director Duncan Sutherland.

Plot summary

Magistrate Brutus Poskett (Will Hay) begins to suspect that his wife (Iris Hoey) may be older than she has disclosed, especially considering his clever fifteen-year-old stepson (John Mills). When Mrs. Poskett tries to stop a visit from her first husband's acquaintance (Claud Allister), who is aware of her actual age, she confronts him at a nearby music hall. Unbeknownst to her, Poskett attends the same venue accompanied by his stepson, resulting in a tumultuous event where Mrs. Poskett and her sister are taken into custody. The following day, without recognizing them due to their heavy veils, Poskett sentences them to a week in jail.

Cast

• Will Hay as Magistrate Brutus Poskett
• Iris Hoey as Agatha Poskett
• Angela Baddeley as Charlotte
• Claud Allister as Capt. Horace Vale
• George Graves as Col. Alexander Lukyn
• John Mills as Bobby
• Jane Carr as Minnie Taylor
• Marguerite Allan as Eve Douglas
• H. F. Maltby as Mr. Bullamy
• Laurence Hanray as Wormington
• Syd Crossley as Wyke
• Wally Patch as Insp. Briggs
• Jimmy Godden as Pat Maloney