French colonists in Africa, several months behind in the news, find themselves at war with their German neighbors. Deciding that they must do their proper duty and fight the Germans, they promptly conscript the local native population. Issuing them boots and rifles, the French attempt to make "proper" soldiers out of the Africans. A young, idealistic French geographer seems to be the only rational person in the town, and he takes over control of the "war" after several bungles on the part of the others.

When a real-estate promoter attempts to take over the homes of two electronics whizzes and boot them out, they contrive ingenious ways to inconvenience and harass him. By pooling their knowledge, they are able to pull off a crucial robbery using a very special box of chocolates.

François, a miserable football player, becomes a town hero after bringing victory in an extremely important game. He uses his fame for revenge on the team star for the previous mockeries.

Onésime Labarbe, a "crawler" in the French Air Force, wants to become a pilot. He hopes to triumph over the sarcasm of his prankster comrades and win the hand of his beloved. Onésime has anticipated this by pretending to be a pilot in front of the young girl and her parents. It's true that they are no more barons than Onésime is a pilot, despite what his fiancée Pulchérie has said. The young soldier's efforts are not without their mishaps and setbacks. Yet his faith and tenacity triumphed over all obstacles. He is finally accepted as a pilot, while Pulchérie, through a misunderstanding, becomes an unwilling parachutist and, at the same time, a champion jumper. The deception is uncovered, but what does it matter to the two fiancés, who are joyfully celebrated by the entire Escadrille and can at last look forward to their long-awaited happiness?

Laure is a 40-year-old psychologist who doesn't know her son, Jean. But the latter comes back to Paris and finds a brand new woman when he sees his mother.

Inspector Balboss, a corrupt police officer with a criminal streak, takes under his wing a young vagrant he meets by chance and sets about teaching him the tricks of the trade.

A mix of characters and actions create only a semblance of a plot in this confusing tale of intrigue, undefined crimes, and incest. A newspaper reporter is working on a story about a criminal serving time in jail. He interviews the prisoner, has an affair with the criminal's daughter, and also spends some time in bed with his editor's wife. His amorous life is an adjunct to his searching out the details of the prisoner's case -- though tragedy strikes before the journalist can wrap everything up. In the meantime, it becomes clear that the daughter and imprisoned father had an incestuous relationship, raising more questions than answers.

Duperrier, a model of piety, justice and charity, wakes up one day with a halo over his head, to the great despair of his wife who fears the gossip of the neighborhood. He's obliged to do everything possible to lose this gift from heaven.

In this family comedy, Papa has no end of trouble getting his young son to accept his new girlfriend.