It is the time before the First World War - in a fishing village on the Baltic Sea coast, the unusual love story of the young, ambitious lawyer Belling and the fun-loving actress Franziska begins. The young couple believes in career in the neighboring big city, would not be there the rich businessman of Elchem, who limits their love power of his money. Franziska has found an admirer and patron in the entrepreneur - a woman between two men who plays, but cleverly he makes the couple financially dependent on himself... The film adaptation of the novelle by Heinrich Mann describes the moral decay of a social layer fixed on success and money at the beginning of the 20th century.

A Saxon village in 1792: While the Prussians go against France, the haymaking takes place in the village and the resolute Marthe catches her daughter Ev with the village blacksmith Ruprecht in the hay.

Albert Hauptmann is an out of work waiter in Cologne who is often confused with a former Captain of the Nazi Army. Albert uses this to his advantage and becomes the Director of the Montan Corporation, and a member of the West German Parliament. Herr Karjanke, the real Captain, learns of Albert’s ruse, and wants to claim his "rightful" position in Parliament. But Karjanke cannot come forward until his politicking "Doppelganger" succeeds in passing an amnesty law for war criminals. When Albert is finally brought before a judge on charges of fraud, he learns that this own amnesty law does not apply to him.

Single crime writer Tom Clempner receives a delivery of goods that he did not order. Out of the box emerges a domestic robot called Graumer, whose pleasant female voice reveals it to be the latest ultra-de-luxe model. The sender's address, the agency for the placement and rental of domestic staff, does not mention delivery to Clempner, so the robot suggests that he should just keep it. As it costs him nothing, the writer quickly overcomes his reservations and makes diligent use of the unforeseen help, perfect in conversation and housework. However, it doesn't take long before the man of the house becomes annoyed by Graumer's all-encompassing care. The robot has already become indispensable, be it in the construction of Tom's new mystery plot or the preparation of the upcoming dinner for some acquaintances. But why does Graumer seem so disturbed when he learns that a police inspector will be among the guests?

Peter, medical student and son of old materials dealer Richard Müller, wants to get engaged to the daughter of the director of a local construction company. The profession of his father has so far only vaguely hinted out of shame. And so his future in-laws think Richard is working in ministry. When he learns about it, he is initially offended. After all, he lives his profession with body and soul. But then Richard takes advantage of the misunderstanding and pays the bride parents a visit.

A famous journalist wants to adopt a 13 years old orphan boy but their relationship are not perfect.

The noble Madame de la Lommerane lives her life with pleasure and sophistication, naturally according to her social rules. Her partner, the Marquis d'Arcis, does not play along with her game—he has his own ideas about life. To counteract the somewhat tired relationship, she plays along, pretending that her infatuation has faded...