Alles im Eimer (1981)

The inventor Leo Bergert is in trouble. The demonstration of a new energy-saving engine he developed, together with its innovative fuel, was a complete failure. Instead of working, the engine explodes, along with Bergert’s dreams of a successful career, fame, money, and recognition. He has to turn once again to his wealthy aunt Effie, who has so far financed his research projects. But his rich aunt wants nothing to do with giving him another cash injection. Leo is facing ruin. Numerous creditors are on his heels, eager to collect what he owes them. To top it all off, Bergert finds his old friend Norbert in his apartment, still sleepy and drunk at ten in the morning after spending the night there. Norbert is not alone: he has brought along a prostitute, who is lying naked in bed and demanding 350 marks in payment. Bergert is finally left utterly speechless when a young woman shows up, takes off her skirt and jacket, and starts singing and dancing in his apartment. Norbert had told her that he and Leo Bergert were starting an entertainment business and might hire her. The whole drama is rounded off when Bergert’s fiancée, Franziska, arrives. All attempts to hide the two women from Franziska and get them out of the apartment fail; she discovers the two scantily dressed women and suspects her fiancé of betraying her. Angrily, she leaves the apartment, tells Bergert she no longer loves him, and leaves him in despair. After this final catastrophe, Leo Bergert decides to end his life by committing suicide, but even then his run of bad luck does not let up. He fails to kill himself. However, he meets the petty criminal Max and hires him to kill him the following day. But just one day later, the whole situation changes abruptly: Aunt Effie now wants to continue financing him after all, and Norbert has convinced Franziska that she accused Leo unfairly. But the hitman has already been hired, and Larry the pimp and the bailiff are still lying in wait.