Anna falls madly in love with an Italian violinist, who instead marries her sister Monika.

Father Scherzer generally buries himself in the books of the castle library, which he is responsible for managing. He is a warm-hearted but somewhat overwhelmed father to his five daughters, ranging from a preschooler to two teenage girls to a successful press photographer who flirts with a dashing dentist. While he is trying to sell the castle to an overbearing American millionaire, the housekeeper quits, and the youth welfare office insists on discipline and order in the five-girl household.

As Germany's fortunes in the latter part of World War II wane, several young boys, in their enthusiasm to do something "for the fatherland", volunteer to fight with the German army in the East. Horrified at the news that their children left for the Russian front, the boys' mothers begin a desperate effort to get their sons back.

Peter grew up during the economic miracle, bereft of parental care and love. Learning early on that interpersonal relationships are based on the principles of exchange or purchase, he abides by these rules and gives generous presents to his family and his wife, Erika. But when he is unable to keep up this lifestyle, his story takes a horrendous turn...

The days of the Schlosshotel Seefels appear to be numbered. Hotelier Theo Frobenius is forced to sell his hotel to group boss Mertens in the face of massive competition. Frobenius learns that Mertens wants to secretly inspect the hotel. In order to drive up the price, the hotelier wants to make him believe that the business is flourishing.

The composer Kristian Wernher is supposed to transport uranium-containing rock samples from Brazil to Austria, specifically to Lake Wörthersee, for his father, the head of “Internationale Berg AG”. Everything is carried out in the strictest secrecy, but soon two agents are after Kristian. But that is not his biggest problem. An unpleasant surprise awaits Kristian at the delivery point.

Friedrich Schiller, a respected baker in Einbeck, enjoys a seemingly idyllic life with his wife and nine children. As he approaches his silver wedding anniversary, he nearly succumbs to a fleeting liaison with a spirited woman named Lollo. Though the episode ends harmlessly, it awakens a crisis of conscience in Friedrich, threatening the harmony of his devoted family.

In the 1930s, three unsuccessful variety artists dream of making it big. When they hear about the rise of sound films in Hollywood, they see their chance: a language school for silent film stars will bring them fame and success. Full of hope, they travel to California, straight into the exciting world of the first sound film productions. But not everything goes as planned...