Brandenburg an der Havel, 2nd half of the 19th Century: the barber Fritz Bollmann is running his old-fashion barbershop and is well known, while another barber Jean Blank is more modern and haute-couture, who sees him as a huge competitor. When Bollmann wanted to leave to store to go fishing, what he loves, a boy asked for a haircut, but due to his anger he cuts him almost all of his hair. This leads the kids to play a trick upon him and when they through things in the lake in order for Bollmann to fall into the water while fishing, they write a mocking song about him. The song is spread all over the town, much to the hate of Bollmann himself. But he doesn't give up and is off to fight back.