Late 1800's - a small barber shop in Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Its owner is the well-known city character "Dällebach Kari". His barber shop is always crowded - not because Kari shaves better than the other barbers but because he entertains his costumers in such a brilliant way that they do not mind waiting a few hours and watching him soap others. Born in a poor farming family, Kari is small and fragile as well as having a harelip. The doctor who delivers Kari does not give the newborn much a chance of survival. He says to the poor father - "with so many proper mouths to feed - do you really need a runt as well?" Despite this - or because of this Kari's mother Marghareta feeds him like a bird that has fallen from the nest. He not only survives - he blossoms into a cheerful young man who believes in the beauty of life. Aged 20 Kari meets the gentle and beautiful Annemarie. It is love at first sight. Kari is thunderstruck. While other girls turned away from Kari - Annemarie is enraptured by his outgoing personality and determination to win her heart. But Annemarie, comes from a wealthy family. Her rather pompous father will certainly never allow this mere barber to have the hand of his cherish daughter. He has plans that Annemarie will marry a promising - and handsome - career officer. Only Annemarie's mother can see the true love between her daughter and Kari - but she has also been forced to accept societies rules as her husband's affair with the attractive household maid is clear - it will be a test of wills between Annemarie and her father of what in the end will win - true love - or conforming to pressures of a conservative society. Flash forward to the elder Kari as he still entertains his loyal barbershop clients and friends about his one great - of what could have been - and as always - looking at the beauty of life.