Sabata is condemned for a murder he never committed, but as he is about to be hanged, a mysterious man throws him a gun! Sabata escapes, wounding the guard whom somebody else shortly after kills. Someone wants to get our friend accused for a long list of crimes, but the strength of his innocence will save him. Having convinced the sheriff, the dramatic search for the guilty one begins.

Bruno Fioretti, known as "Mandrake", is an inveterate gambler who never misses a day at the horse racing track in Rome. He is doubly unlucky: he bets too much on one horse, and his wife is sleeping with his best friend because Mandrake is always at the track. Penniless and cuckolded, Mandrake decides to make one last bet.

An aspiring young artist breaks from his wealthy, possessive mother to live a bohemian existence in the artist's section of Rome and falls in love with a beautiful model who wants an uncommitted relationship.

The frustrating adventures of a humble employee who all the time has to fullfill the wishes and desires of his bosses.