Philippe Janvier

An American is on the run in the streets and back alleys of France.

Maurice Vallier, nicknamed "Ma Pomme"(which means "myself" in slang), is a cheerful man, well aware that money does not make happiness and who, of all things, prices freedom. Which is why he has become a tramp and he has never regretted his choice of life. Things go smoothly until the day he inherits a huge amount of money. He first refuses it but changes his mind when he realizes that thanks to the inheritance he can help others. Even more enticing is the fact that he must share the big money with a charming air hostess. However once he deems he has done enough good he gives up the money left and resumes his old lifestyle singing along "Ma pomme c'est moi, j'suis plus heureux qu'un roi..."

Alexandre Mérital, the leader of a political party, finds himself under attack from Frépeau, one of his opponents. The latter has indeed discovered that Mérital committed a theft in his youth. But Mérital will not be intimidated by his adversary's move. In his turn, he discovers that Frépeau was once involved in a financial scandal, which forces the plaintiff to discontinue the prosecution.

Eusèbe Bonbonneau, a solicitor's clerk, learns one day that a candidate bearing his name runs for election as a member of parliament. In fact Frazier, a crooked businessman, has urged an accomplice to impersonate Eusèbe, in order to obtain, through this straw man, authorizations for the creation of a casino in Sanceau-les-Nains and to make big money out of it. Eusébe decides to go to Paris to investigate. In the capital he meets Mariska, an exuberant actress who encourages him to try to get elected. As a result, thanks to her the true Bonbonneau becomes a member of parliament and the crook's accomplice is arrested. But Frazier is not impressed and, changing tactics, he starts manipulating Eusèbe.

A father falls in love with his son's mistress whom he has forced to emigrate to force him to break up. More carefree than a schoolboy, he ruins himself for the beauty who soon chases him away. The family will soon be reunited permanently.

Prosper, the accountant of a fashion house, takes a vacation to Monte Carlo without his wife Sabine. And if he goes alone it is for a very good reason: he has a rendezvous with Olga, a beautiful woman. Once in Monte Carlo, he wins a large sum of money at the casino. Unfortunately for him he immediately becomes the prey of three gangsters who proceed to relieve him of his newly acquired fortune.

A businessman on the verge of bankruptcy, Mercadet, is harassed by his creditors. To keep them waiting, he invents a fictitious partner, Godeau, who has gone to make his fortune in India and who should return laden with gold. The heart of the plot is therefore this famous Godeau whom we spend our time waiting for, and who never comes. While waiting for Godeau, Mercadet has a rich idea: to marry his daughter Julie to Monsieur de la Brive, whom he believes to be very rich.

A historian seeks to clarify the mysterious death of Sire de Malvaleix and will find himself involved in the murder of the current descendant.