This Day and Age (1933) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Students confront a protected gang leader after formal justice fails, but their vigilante victory ends with consequences of its own.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Students Enter City Power

During Boys' Week, students temporarily assume city offices. The new student authority exists alongside Garrett's protection racket.

Key Events

• Boys' Week Elections — Students elect Steve as district attorney and Billy as chief of police during Boys' Week. Characters: Steve Smith, Billy Location: North High School
• Protection Demand Refused — Herman refuses to pay protection money demanded by Garrett's gang. Characters: Louis Garrett, Herman Location: Herman's tailor shop
• The Store Bombing — Garrett's gang bombs Herman's store; Herman and a student survive the blast. Characters: Louis Garrett, Herman Location: Herman's tailor shop

A Murder Escapes Justice

Garrett's gang bombs Herman's shop, and Garrett later murders Herman after another refusal to pay. Garrett's perfect alibi produces an acquittal and humiliates Steve.

Key Events

• Herman Refuses Again — Herman again refuses to pay, leading Garrett to murder him. Characters: Louis Garrett, Herman Location: Herman's shop
• Garrett Acquitted — Garrett is acquitted because he has a perfect alibi; Steve is humiliated as a witness. Characters: Louis Garrett, Steve Smith Location: Courtroom
• Student Investigation Begins — Steve, Billy, and other students decide to investigate Herman's murder themselves. Characters: Steve Smith, Billy Location: North High School

Evidence And Betrayal

Steve and the students investigate and find a cufflink fragment. Their break-in is compromised by Dover, and Billy is killed during the confrontation at Garrett's club.

Key Events

• Student Investigation Begins — Steve, Billy, and other students decide to investigate Herman's murder themselves. Characters: Steve Smith, Billy Location: North High School
• Cufflink Fragment Found — The student investigators discover part of a cufflink at the murder scene. Characters: Steve Smith, Billy Location: Murder scene
• Bedroom Break-In — The students break into Garrett's bedroom while Dover tips Garrett off about their plan. Characters: Steve Smith, Billy, Morry Dover Location: Garrett's bedroom
• Gay Meets Toledo — Dover introduces Gay to Toledo at Garrett's club. Characters: Gay Merrick, Morry Dover, Toledo, Louis Garrett Location: Garrett's club
• Billy Is Killed — Garrett shoots Billy, killing him, and the gang frames Gus for murder and robbery. Characters: Billy, Toledo, Louis Garrett, Gay Merrick Location: Garrett's club
• Funeral Aftermath — After Billy's funeral, Steve blames Gay for Dover learning about the planned break-in. Characters: Steve Smith, Gay Merrick, Morry Dover Location: Funeral

The Student Manhunt

After Billy's funeral, Steve gathers student leaders and organizes hundreds of students. They capture Garrett and move him to a brickyard for a secret trial.

Key Events

• Funeral Aftermath — After Billy's funeral, Steve blames Gay for Dover learning about the planned break-in. Characters: Steve Smith, Gay Merrick, Morry Dover Location: Funeral
• Student Leaders Gather — Steve gathers student body presidents from neighboring high schools to plan Garrett's arrest. Characters: Steve Smith Location: North High School
• Mass Student Mobilization — Hundreds of students support Steve's plan to capture Garrett. Characters: Steve Smith, Gay Merrick, Morry Dover Location: City streets
• Garrett Captured — Steve and hundreds of students capture Garrett and take him to a local brickyard. Characters: Steve Smith, Louis Garrett Location: Garrett's club
• Toledo Distracted — Gay and Dover attempt to redeem themselves by capturing Toledo's attention. Characters: Gay Merrick, Morry Dover, Toledo Location: Garrett's club
• Secret Brickyard Trial — The students conduct a secret trial and suspend Garrett over a pit filled with rats. Characters: Steve Smith, Louis Garrett Location: Local brickyard

Confession And Consequences

Gay and Dover help distract Toledo while Garrett is pressured into confessing. Garrett signs a witnessed confession, but Steve, Gay, and Dover are arrested for occupying a stolen vehicle.

Key Events

• Secret Brickyard Trial — The students conduct a secret trial and suspend Garrett over a pit filled with rats. Characters: Steve Smith, Louis Garrett Location: Local brickyard
• Garrett Confesses — Garrett confesses while suspended over the rat pit. Characters: Louis Garrett, Steve Smith Location: Local brickyard
• March To City Hall — The students march Garrett to city hall with police assistance to obtain a witnessed confession. Characters: Louis Garrett, Steve Smith Location: City streets
• Confession Signed — Garrett signs the confession, and Gay arrives to witness his arrest. Characters: Louis Garrett, Steve Smith, Gay Merrick Location: City hall
• Stolen Vehicle Arrest — Steve, Gay, and Dover listen to a broadcast about themselves before a police officer arrests them for being in a stolen vehicle. Characters: Steve Smith, Gay Merrick, Morry Dover Location: Borrowed car

Story Breakdown

• Student Government — Boys' Week gives students temporary civic authority and establishes Steve's leadership role.
  • North High Elections — Steve and Billy are elected to temporary city offices.
  • Civic Responsibility — The student offices frame the later attempt to enforce justice.
• Garrett's Racket — Garrett's gang uses protection demands and violence against Herman.
  • Herman Refuses Payment — Herman rejects Garrett's demand for protection money.
  • Violence Escalates — The gang bombs Herman's store, and Garrett later murders him.
• Failed Court Justice — Garrett avoids conviction through a perfect alibi, leaving Steve humiliated.
  • Steve Testifies — Steve takes the stand during Garrett's murder trial.
  • Acquittal — Garrett is acquitted despite the murder charge.
• Student Investigation — Steve and the students investigate independently and uncover a physical clue.
  • Cufflink Fragment — The investigators find part of a cufflink at the murder scene.
  • Bedroom Break-In — The students enter Garrett's bedroom while Dover warns Garrett.
• Gang Retaliation — The students' investigation triggers violence, manipulation, and a false accusation.
  • Billy's Death — Billy is shot and killed at Garrett's club.
  • Gus Framed — Garrett's gang frames Gus for murder and robbery.
• Student Manhunt — Steve turns grief and anger into a coordinated operation involving hundreds of students.
  • Leaders Assemble — Steve gathers student body presidents from neighboring high schools.
  • Garrett Captured — The students seize Garrett and take him to the brickyard.
• Brickyard Confession — The secret trial pressures Garrett into confessing before the students take him to city hall.
  • Rat Pit Trial — Garrett is suspended over a pit filled with rats.
  • Witnessed Statement — Garrett signs a confession at city hall.
• Bittersweet Ending — The gang leader is exposed, but the student enforcers also face legal consequences.
  • Gay Arrives — Gay arrives to witness Garrett's arrest and confession.
  • Vehicle Arrest — Steve, Gay, and Dover are arrested for being in a stolen vehicle.

Directed by

Cecil B. DeMille

Key Cast

• Charles Bickford — Louis Garrett
• Richard Cromwell — Steve Smith
• Judith Allen — Gay Merrick
• Bradley Page — Toledo
• Harry Green — Herman