Kommandant Rudolf Höss og hans kone Hedwig streber etter å bygge et drømmeliv for familien. De bor i en nydelig villa, med en fantastisk hage. Med konsentrasjonsleiren Auschwitz som nærmeste nabo.
Sam the white-washer pines for the affluent Lindy, but she has dumped him in favor of another. Sam finds a large sum of money, and goes to New York to enjoy a shopping spree, buying new clothes, jewelry and a car with a driver. Back home, Lindy flips for Sam and his newfound wealth, and dumps the rival. Sam throws an engagement party where he indulges in a friendly game of cards with his former rival and another man, who unbeknownst to Sam, is a card shark.
An anguished star hits his breaking point when a young journalist investigates his complicity in a scandal.