Tach, Herr Dokter (1999)

Next to the home of Heinz and Hilde Becker stands the villa of company head Dr. Bernhard Schenkberg and his wife, whom he calls “Püppchen” (“Dolly”). Schenkberg is always courteous and tries to maintain good relations with his neighbors, while his refined, arrogant wife looks down contemptuously on the grumbling, constantly DIY-ing Heinz and the conventional, naïve housewife Hilde. The young secretary, Mrs. Rickebick, who is having a fling with the clumsy doctor, applies for a job as a cleaner in the Schenkberg household under a false name and disguised with a wig. To the master of the house’s dismay, his wife hires her. Together with his friend “Maier Kurt,” Heinz builds a terrace onto his house, but the two men’s peculiar DIY skills lead to several technical complications. Mrs. Schenkberg is outraged by the noise from the construction work, but her tolerant husband offers her no support. Dr. Schenkberg celebrates his 60th birthday with a fashionable garden party, to which the Beckers are also invited. Heinz installs a string of lights for the occasion, while Hilde prepares dessert. At the party, Heinz annoys the refined guests with his quips. Mrs. Rickebick has been assigned to serve as a domestic worker by the lady of the house, but she also has to be present at the party as Dr. Schenkberg’s secretary. She resolves this dilemma by changing clothes constantly and appearing alternately in each role. Later, the Beckers invite the Schenkbergs to a rustic barbecue on their new terrace. The next morning, Mrs. Schenkberg is horrified to discover that her husband and Heinz Becker, who seem to get along well, address each other informally.