Jens Mons in America

The small town of Gåtatorp in Småland is entirely dependent on its prominent furniture factory. But the factory is in danger because the weak economy means that the bank wants to shut down the factory.

The architect Gösta complains to Dr. Holm about his wife Gunilla's introverted character. Holm proposes a drug that will make her more outgoing.

Iben Holt, a rich bohemian, lives in an occupied country. On his way home from a party he hears an explosion and sees flames rising from a factory. At home awaits another surprise.

The stern, but kind-hearted, Kristiana from the country takes place as a maid with the Larsson family in Stockholm, previously (in)famous for its rapid turnover of housemaids.

The idle rich have their own particular problems. Case in point, Georg and Monika Hedberg were once poor and happy but since Georg became an established painter family bliss has decreased for every fur coat Monika has bought. Their divorce lawyer suggest that they try to save their marriage by moving to a small apartment and live life frugally but happy. When the trial period is over and they want to return home again, their lawyer has stolen their money and disappeared. The Hedbergs are evicted for unpaid rent and terminal poverty seem to be imminent.

News reel film sequences from September 1938 until the end of 1942, integrated with the fictive Swedish family Söderberg in their everyday life at home and the changes, because of the escalating war, that are brought upon them.

Filip works as a coat janitor at a restaurant; he is a dreamer who has failed in life and sees people as the clothes he has in his wardrobe. On one night, three guests enter the restaurant: the extensive Viding with his beautiful wife Jane, and the remorseless manager Kurtz. Viding, who owes Kurtz money, demands Jane be accommodating toward him. Filip watches as she pulls a gun.