Melodrama about a simple woman from Amsterdam who is forced to choose between the depraved father of her children and the love of a kind-hearted sailor.

Merijntje Gijzen is a small boy growing up in Brabant, in the south of the Netherlands. One day, out on one of his walks, he meets infamous poacher 'De Kruik,' and the two become friends. De Kruik is in love with Janekee but she is more interested in the new village policeman.

Mientje comes from an ordinary working class family. Her father's alcoholism threatens to put an end to her engagement to Herman, her well to do fiancée. When her parents divorce, Mientje comes into conflict with her future mother-in-law. A grim but ultimately hopeful look at marital problems, poverty, lost love and alcoholism in a working class neighbourhood in Amsterdam.

Circus artists Jan and Annie are in possession of jewels that were - unbeknownst to them - stolen from the famous Jolly Sisters. Mistaking them for the thieves, two bumbling detectives infiltrate the Dutch theatre-life.