Filmic insert to Eisenstein's modernized, free adaptation of Ostrovskiy's 19th-century Russian stage play, "The Wise Man" ("Na vsyakogo mudretsa dovolno prostoty"). The anti-hero Glumov tries to escape exposure in the midst of acrobatics, derring-do, and farcical clowning. Several members of Eisenstein's troupe at the legendary "Proletkult" stage theatre in Moscow briefly appear in this little film.
Historical idioms garnish our language but are often hard to translate. This comedy helps to illustrate them and tells the story of two Austrian neighbours, who become enamoured. “Foam-beater" (boaster) Hanspeter throws an eye after an addleheaded Annemarie, but she just "shows him the bird" (indicates that he is chuckoo). He must "jump over his shadow" (take the plunge) and get a foot in her door. Amusement for proverb fans who love to make whoopee, gaze into the pale blue yonder, or get to the point.
