In the late 19th century Kyiv, a frivolous barber named Svyryd Petrovych Holokhvosty (Oleg Borisov) goes bankrupt and is forced to close his shop. When he learns that a Mr. Sirko offers a dowry of ten thousand roubles for his unrefined and unattractive daughter Pronya, he decides to settle his debts by marrying her. He even tricks a German creditor into financing the courtship.
While showing off his new suit to friends in the park on Saint Volodymyr Hill, he spots and briefly flirts with the beautiful Halya before being chased away by her would-be boyfriend, Stepan.
That evening, Svyryd takes Pronya to the movies on a date and afterward makes a false confession of love to her. She invites him to her house to propose. Later that night, while drinking with his friends, Svyryd boasts about his successful date with Pronya; and that once he gets the money, he will start an affair with a beauty. Svyryd meets Halya in an alley, falsely confesses his love to her, claims to be a rich suitor, and forces her into an embrace. Halya's mother, Sekleta Lymerykha, happens by and stops it. Sekleta threatens him and makes him swear on the steps of Saint Andrew's Church to marry Halya, whose heart actually belongs to Stepan.
The next day, Sekleta, sister to Mrs. Sirko, lets herself into her sister's home where she insults them and is summarily thrown out. Svyryd narrowly misses Sekleta as he arrives to propose and receive the Sirkos' blessing for marriage with Pronya. Some time later, he runs into Sekleta who forces him to share an open carriage to her house where guests soon arrive to celebrate Sekleta's name day. During the celebration, Svyryd flirts with Sister Meroniya, a pretty nun, and gets her to drink. As the party winds down, Sekleta announces the engagement of Halya and Svyryd. As she happens to be passing by her sister's house, Mrs. Sirko tries to partake in the festivities, but is stopped by Pronya who is embarrassed by such a lowbrow party. Sekleta laments that none of her relatives stopped by to visit on the special occasion which leads Svyryd to realize that Pronya and Halya are cousins! Halya runs from the gathering to her beloved Stepan who informs her that Svyryd is a fraud.
On the wedding day, curious friends of Sekleta discover Pronya is marrying Svyryd. A black cat crosses Svyryd's path on his way to Pronya's door, and he immediately trips and falls into the dirt, soiling and tearing his wedding attire. Sekleta's friends race to inform her before the wedding can take place. Sekleta halts the wedding party on the steps of Saint Andrew's Church and announces to everyone that Svyryd is in fact engaged to Halya. Pronya collapses upon realizing what has happened.
As Svyryd tries to walk away, Sekleta stops him and demands that he now marry Halya; however, creditors and bill collectors suddenly appear with proof that Svyryd is bankrupt who then leaves the scene with his friends.**
