Famous producer Otto Kruse brags that he will produce a successful, new kind of revue film. When the project is close to failing, he orders his stage manager to “do what it takes.” Soon his young female assistant finds herself holding a dramaturg, composer and set designer hostage in a villa—with orders to keep them there until they create a cheerful revue film. The hostages fear it is impossible to please both the public and the critics. Only a young, brash, unknown musician who has insinuated himself into the group is enthusiastically inspired to create an opulent film revue and impress the young assistant producer. This East German backstage film musical—a colorful spectacle and tour de force of music and dance, is filled with clever references to Hollywood revues. It exemplifies the GDR’s push to create box-office hits and compete with West German productions.