Hans Albers plays returning war veteran Hans Richter who has trouble finding work. With nowhere else to turn, Richter gets involved with black market activities. This so disgusts Richter's son, blind ex-soldier Edwin (Paul Edwin Roth), that the boy literally disowns his father. Hans eventually mends his ways, but not before several other devastating setbacks.

Postwar Germany, May 1945. American city commander Tom Keller appoints engineer Walter Reinhardt as acting mayor of a small town in southern Germany. At the same time, he helps student Maria put on a musical show and, as an avid jazz fan, joins the tour as a conductor during his vacation.