Niko is in his late 20s and recently dropped out of college. He lives for the moment, drifting sleeplessly through the streets of Berlin, marvelling at the people around him. With a quiet curiosity, he observes how they cope with everyday life while failing to notice how he himself is becoming an outsider.
Mr. Bruno Tasslespeare is a shy, mild-mannered man who lives a quiet, ordered life and makes a modest living as an umbrella designer. Almost everyone takes advantage of his good nature, especially his despotic boss, domineering landlady and pushy neighbor.
In 1927, the 20-year-old Berlin drama student Harry Frommermann makes up his mind to found a German singing group modeled on the feted American a-capella formation "The Revellers". He places an advertisement and, very soon, he is snowed under with candidates. After initial difficulties, the band's first appearance is a great success.
