Coal miner Esaias Coolman returns to Finland from his working years in America.

The story is set in Helsinki's revue theater Punainen Mylly, run by Jalmari Haapala with Erkki Pajula as its lead singer. Between performances, dancer Kaarina and doctor Kalle are offered the chance for romance, despite some misunderstandings.

Broke touring artists get on the wrong bus and end up as army recruits for a few days. Misunderstandings turn barracks life and people's heads upside down.

Sisters Irma and Airi Ranna's café Iltatähti has run into financial trouble. Touring musicians Heikki and Jussi end up as tenants in the same boarding house where the siblings and the poetic accountant live. Since the landlady does not allow music in her nursing home, the musicians practice at Iltatähti and revolutionize the life of the cafe.