The constant smile of the eternally amiable Jacques Perdrot often complicates his life. Appointed chief of police at Castel-Boudin, he takes up his new post accompanied by his maid and his godmother, who watches over his virtue, and by the Widow Gibard, who is determined to marry him. At Castel-Boudin, his smile has great effect, provoking distaste and misunderstandings.

In order to take part in a "tournoi des dames", Narcisse Leblond persuades his wife that he is going to look after his sick godmother at Beaucaire. Naturally, the godmother in question arrives at the house a few minutes after his departure...

Phémie comes to work as a maid in the Chaloupié household. An article and a photograph in the newspaper convince the Chaloupiés that their new servant is in fact none other than Miss Arabella Machefeller, the daughter of the celebrated American millionaire, looking for some worthy people with whom to share her fortune.

Foezel, a dim-witted police officer, is persuaded to loan his trousers to an actor who is playing a cop in a movie.