Michele, recently released from the asylum, returns home where his sister Teresa, the only one who knows about his past madness, is waiting for him.

During his military service, the young singer Gianni Traimonti falls in love with Carla, the marshal's daughter.

In the sequel of "In ginocchio da te", the engagement of Gianni and Carla is threatened by Giorgio.

Luca Cupiello lives with the wife Concetta, the son Tommasino, and a brother, Pasquale. The son is wild, living by gimmicks and stealing from his uncle; the daughter Ninuccia does not get along with her husband Nicolino and plans to run away with her lover Vittorio; the wife tries to hide her family's troubles from her husband. Luca, who silently suffers the family situation, takes refuge in setting up the Nativity scene.