The unscrupulous dealer Haslinger has paid off a debt note worth 1000 Mark from the peasant Kreithofer and now wants the man’s farm in return for the debt settlement. Then, suddenly, a rumor pops up that Grandfather Kreithofer is a rich man, who wants to leave his entire estate to his grandchild Lois. Grandpa started the rumor to help his grandson out of the mess, who, as luck would (not) have it, is also in love with Haslinger’s daughter, Ev. But no sooner does Haslinger hear of this rumor, that he wants the old man to move in with him, leave the debt to him and give permission for the kids to marry.
On the eve of the Great War, an expatriate German working in Latin America learns that the Fatherland is in peril, and risks various obstacles to get back to Europe to join the ranks of fighting men.
A series of stupid coincidences causes the young Munich painter Paul to convert his uncle's castle into a hotel for four weeks. But he can't complain: business is good and he has plenty of guests. For exmple, there's Theo Muller with his revue troupe. For reasons of "sound", Muller calls himself "Miller", which, of course, causes more confusion. His daughter, the beautiful Evelyn, is confused with Mabel Miller, who has come to the hotel on a mission for her filthy rich father ... namely, to estimate the worth of the castle.
In 1890, Gus Sascher joins the Austrian Army and romances the impoverished girl Elsa Hofner. Elsa instead marries the wealthier officer Franz von Renner, in an attempt at social climbing.
Due to an intrigue spun by his grandmother and two cousins, the engagement between the officer Hans and his fiancée Traute breaks up. His fiancée is said to have been unfaithful during his 4-week absence on official business. The fabricated rumors allege an affair between Traute and Oberleutnant Grobitzsch.