Beaumarchais the Scoundrel is a biopic film based on the life of the French playwright, financier and spy Pierre Beaumarchais depicting his activities during the American War of Independence and his authorship of the Figaro trilogy of plays.

Dominique is a pretty, vivacious girl. When she witnesses a car theft, she throws herself and her bicycle under the vehicle. Jacques Mareuil, whom she then blackmails, pays her a sum to cover her debts. In reality, Mareuil, a policeman, is keeping an eye on Atcheminov, the owner of the car, but, wanting to prove that he is an unscrupulous trafficker, he comes up against Dominique's impetuosity time and again. It all ends up like in a good comedy.

A singer tries to rescue a man drawn into the drug trade.

In the Mouffetard district of Paris, Jérôme Crainquebille, an affable four-season merchant, is stopped by a police officer and taken to the station, unjustly accused of shouting "Mort aux vaches!" ("Death to the cows!"). When he returns to work after a fortnight's detention, he is ostracized by his neighbors. Lonely, Crainquebille sank into despair and alcoholism. His life in prison seemed sweeter, and his attempts to return were in vain. He owes his salvation to the affection of a local kid.

In the 1953 elections, Piédalu was elected mayor of Marboue-Chambourcy. The esteem of his fellow citizens won him popularity, but he had to reckon with the wiles of his political opponents if he ran for deputy. The support of the son of one of his rivals, who loves Françoise Piédalu, and above all his stubborn common sense and natural malice, help him to overcome all obstacles.