Summary
College Days, a 1932 drama, follows Jim Gordon, a student at the University of California, who navigates the complexities of campus life, romantic entanglements, and academic challenges. Jim's journey is marked by the earnest pursuit of love with Mary Ward and the reluctant acceptance of his expulsion and reinstatement. Through a series of comedic and dramatic encounters, the film delves into the coming-of-age experiences of young adults, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions. The cast, led by Gibson Gowland and James Harrison, brings depth to their roles, while the story is enhanced by the vivid campus setting and a series of romantic and comic misunderstandings.
Synopsis
Jim Gordon, the son of a proud and loving father, enters the University of California as a student. There he meets Mary Ward, a campus coed who captures his heart on the first day. He becomes close friends with Larry Powell, his roommate, but incurs the wrath of Kenneth Slade, who is unable to take a practical joke. Jim and Larry attend a campus dance with Bessie and Phyllis, two vamps, and through a series of romantic complications Jim tries to convince Mary of his love for her. Later, Louise successfully waylays Jim on his way from the training field and the sight of them disillusions Mary; trying to repair matters in a classroom, Jim is reprimanded, is physically punished by Professor Maynard, and is expelled. Later he is reinstated by the dean and plans to join the football squad against Stanford, but the day of the game finds him again in disgrace because he has gone to a roadhouse to protect Mary from her jazzy companions, and then to assist her after an accident. At the last minute, he is called into the game, and his team wins.
