The Good Fairy

Luisa Ginglebusher grows up in the Municipal Orphanage. The director, Dr. Schultz, sends her into the world with a rule to do a good deed every day and be friendly to everyone, plus off-screen advice about the male gender. This guidance seeds her warmth and optimism that drive her later choices.

Luisa lands a job as an usherette at a Budapest movie palace and begins her daily mission of kindness. She steps into the wider world with goodwill and an eager willingness to please, though not all shadows are visible. Her first night on the job marks the start of a string of well-meaning, if naive, encounters.

After leaving work that evening, Joe the masher tries to force himself on Luisa. She deflects by claiming Detlaff is her husband, which gives Detlaff a chance to intervene and escort her away. The incident exposes Luisa to the idea that the adult world can be dangerous and complicated.

Detlaff offers Luisa a glimpse of a refined world through an invitation to a private party and a dancing lesson. He believes her innocence could win admiration and perhaps a better life. She accepts with wide-eyed eagerness.

At the party, Luisa looks lovely in a borrowed dress, drawing the attention of Konrad, a wealthy meat-packing magnate. Detlaff remains watchful, stepping in to blunt any predatory move and protect his protégée. The scene plays on the comedy of mistaken assumptions about money and virtue.

When Konrad's advances go too far, Luisa declares she is married. She then plucks a name at random from a phone book to 'identify' her husband and keep Konrad at bay. The deception is meant to safeguard her virtue and surprise him.

Konrad shifts gears and schemes to seize control of Luisa's life by offering a five-year employment contract to the 'husband' Luisa has invented. His real plan is to use the ruse to clear the path for Konrad to seduce Luisa by removing the husband from the scene. This revelation shows how money and power complicate honest romance.

Luisa goes to see Dr. Max Sporum and tells him nothing yet; they hit it off as he sharpens pencils and she helps him shop for small things. He buys her a bright-colored car and a foxine fur stole, the first gifts she's ever received. Their growing bond complicates the original plan.

Upon hearing that Luisa plans to meet a man at a hotel, Sporum misreads the situation and refuses to see her again, believing he is merely a temporary part of the ruse. He apologizes later, but the moment shows how fragile trust can be under pressure. Detlaff's anger grows as the plan teeters on collapse.

Luisa calls Sporum and asks him to think of her as if she loved him. He responds with apologies and a softened stance, and the two begin to reframe their relationship. The emotional stakes rise as Konrad's control over Luisa's life remains unresolved.

Konrad, now sober but determined to marry Luisa and have children, grows impatient. Detlaff interrupts and literally carries Luisa off, threatening to reveal everything to Konrad and ruin Sporum's chance at a decent life. A frantic chase pushes them toward Sporum's rooms.

Back in Sporum's rooms, Luisa admits she wishes to undo the schemes and live honestly with him, even in poverty. Sporum is moved by her honesty and resolves to build a life with her, free from Konrad's contract. Their bond strengthens through mutual sacrifice.

Luisa comes down the aisle on Sporum's arm as the orphans sing 'Faithful and True.' The wedding marks a triumph of kindness and genuine affection over manipulation. The couple embraces a humble, hopeful life together.