A number of different segments taken from 19th century Italian stories.

An Italian emigrant, who found fame and success in America, comes back to his hometown after over twenty years.

"Antonio" leaves his family to live a prosperous life with Cristina. Her family live in a slum where their lives are complicated by young love and jealousy. A letter from a local priest that implicates "Antonio" in the murder of an English nobleman comes to light and soon they are all before the King.

Six episodes (adapted from as many short stories: Gozzano, D'Annunzio, Guido Rocca, Marino Moretti, Alba de Céspedes and Oreste Biancoli), six love stories set in different moments in italian recent history.

Baron Oddo de Serra who is cruel to his subjects, is neighbor of the Count Gualtiero of Roccalta. The servants of the baron cross the lands of Count to escape his abuses. Baron hatches a plot to assassinate the earl.

Four poor fellows win a luxurious car in a lottery but they have not the money to keep it. Therefore they decide to have it a day each and sell it afterwards. Everyone will spend his own day with the car and get some gratification. Some will get it, others will not. And the fifth poor fellow?

The title refers to a character named Pompeo Quarantini; an attorney tries to prevent marriage between an heiress and a musician, but without success.

Eva Bianchi, who works as a manicure in a beauty salon in Milan, falls in love with the owner Adamo Rossi. But Adam, who at first always gives her roses, now no longer seems interested in her.

The singer Cécile Hervey celebrates great achievements, while her sister Elda lives quietly with her aunt Claire on land. Elda is engaged to neighbor Bruno Leveson, but is irresistibly attracted by his brother Raoul, which she will marry. Raoul cheats on her, even before the marriage, with her sister Cecile.