Gentlemen in White Vests

Bruno Stiegler, alias Dandy, comes back from the United States to West Berlin, presenting himself as a boxing promoter. The boxing business serves as a camouflage for his gang's planned robberies. This homecoming sets the stage for a collision between old rivals.

The retired judge Zänker begins turning the tables on Dandy. He partners with his old friends and his sister Elisabeth to strike back against the gangster. The plan relies on reusing old networks and leveraging his authority to outsmart Dandy. This alliance marks a shift from retirement to proactive scheming.

In the scheme, the ex-con Pietsch is used as a mole inside Dandy's gang. He relays information to Zänker, enabling counter-moves that stay ahead of Dandy. The betrayal within Dandy's circle becomes a key tool for the detectives.

Dressed as a pensioner's choir, Zänker's group meets at his home to plan the raids. The disguise is described as a clever ruse to move unnoticed while targeting the same targets as Dandy. The meeting cements the alliance between old friends and Elisabeth.

Dandy eyes the revenue from a Hertha BSC football match at the Olympic Stadium. The plan is to seize cash flows that would fund further criminal activity. This marks the first major raid attempt by Dandy and his crew.

Zänker and his pensioner gang act faster and intercept Dandy's plan to steal the match revenue. They execute their own scheme instead, tightening the grip on the city's crime scene. The clash shows the elder rivals outmaneuvering the younger gangster.

Meanwhile, Dandy's attempt to rob Kunkelmann's cash cabinet and Haase jewellery store occurs during a parade. However, Zänker's crew is also active and ends up taking the loot instead. The parade creates distractions enabling both sides to move, but the decisive thefts belong to Zänker's men.

Walter, Zänker's son-in-law, works as a criminal inspector and is tasked with investigating these very crimes. His supervisor Berg makes a personal appearance at Walter's home to arrest him, complicating loyalties within the family circle. The tension between duty and friendship drives the plot forward.

In a private four-eyed conversation, Zänker explains his motive and method to Berg and wins the older officer's confidence. This exchange helps shift the investigation's direction toward Dandy. The quiet dialogue foreshadows how the elder plan will frame the younger gangster.

With the net closing around Dandy, an arrest warrant is issued for him. The authorities prepare to tie all the recent robberies together and place the weight of the law on his shoulders. The stage is set for a final confrontation.

Using Pietsch's insider information, Zänker and his ally lay the blame for all the thefts squarely at Dandy's door. The ruse solidifies the courtroom and police case, painting Dandy as the mastermind behind the spate of robberies. The old judge's strategy comes to fruition.

Just before Dandy's departure, the police locate all the stolen items in his suitcase. The discovery provides probable cause for his immediate arrest and cements the case against him in a dramatic fashion. The trail of evidence wraps up Dandy's criminal run.

Following the suitcase find, Dandy is arrested by the authorities. The arrest marks the turning point that exposes his gang to the law. With their adversary in custody, Zänker's plan reaches its legal culmination.

The retirement Zänker sought is finally achieved as the law closes the case against Dandy. He has successfully used legal means to neutralize his old foe, something he never managed during his tenure as a judge. The victory is both personal and public.