The secret agent Claus van Dongen is sent to Cape Town to end the activities of the criminal organization Yellow Viper.

This drama is taken from Thomas Mann's 1903 semi-autobiographical novel. Tonio (Jean Claude Brialy) is an aspiring writer and the son of a rigid aristocratic father and a music-loving mother. Wandering throughout Germany and Italy to "find himself," Tonio frequently remembers his childhood experiences in a series of flashbacks. The highlight of the film is the expert lensing by cinematographer Wolf Wirth. Erika Mann, the daughter of the late poet and author, collaborated with Ennio Flaiano on the screenplay.

The Gangster Macheath secretly marries the daughter of beggar king Peachum. When Peachum finds out, he instructs the police chief Brown to arrest and hang Macheath. If not, all the beggars of Soho will disturb the upcoming coronation.

Landlord Kohlhiesl has two twin daughters that nevertheless couldn't be more different: Liesel is beautiful, feminine, sophisticated, educated and in love with a fellow, Toni, from back home. The other daughter, Susi, is clumsy, masculine, never left home and wants nothing to do with men. Liesel would dearly love to marry Tony, but her father refuses to allow the wedding until her sister Susi has found a husband first...

Relations between middle-aged businessman Arthur Dahlberg and his young wife Anja are not at their best. So it occurred to them to leave their Hamburg home and go on vacation to the Côte d'Azur to revitalize their relationship. But Arthur Dahlberg, even on vacation, is obsessed with running his business. Meanwhile, Anya meets the young writer Roy Benter.