Minarsih (Fatimah) is rescued from four thugs by the painter Basuki (Basoeki Resobowo). They fall in love and begin planning their life together. However, a rich man interested in taking Minarsih to be his wife sends a gang to kidnap her. Basuki is unable to repel them. The Laughing Mask (Oedjang) comes to the rescue. (Soerabaijasch Handelsblad 1940).

The film depicts the lives of two families. There is Basuki who always puts other’s interests first, while his wife, Suryati who only thinks about herself. There is also Umar with his immoral behavior, who sells his daughter Djuliah to Asnan, a loan shark, when he is in debt. This tragedy makes Ruhiyat, Djuliah’s boyfriend, heartbroken.

This film reveals the darker side of human nature, when lust for wealth cause others to suffer. The story is tangled with a tragic yet beautiful romance. The film’s message is clear when the rich are finally punished by God.

Sugiati loves all of her children, Achmad, Idris, Sumadi and Supinah. Sumadi receives the most attention as Subagio, his father, often blames him. But Subagio leads a double life as a thief. To defend his father, Sumadi takes the blame for his father’s crime. He is sent to exile for his confession. Subagio feels guilty, becomes ill and finally passes away. After the death of Subagio, the children refuse to take care of Sugiati who ends up in a nursing home. Upon his return from exile, Sumadi is appalled by his siblings’ treatment of their mother and settles the score with his brothers and sister.