In Brooklyn circa 1900, the Nolans manage to enjoy life on pennies despite great poverty and Papa's alcoholism. We come to know these people well through big and little troubles: Aunt Sissy's scandalous succession of "husbands"; the removal of the one tree visible from their tenement; and young Francie's desire to transfer to a better school...if irresponsible Papa can get his act together.
Through flashbacks going as far back as the end of WW1, the story of a Nazi war criminal is exposed during his trial.
A soldier falls in love with a newly-married woman after her husband abandons her for a business meeting on their honeymoon.
