The Tuttles of Tahiti

Chester Tuttle returns to Tahiti after several years away and is greeted by his carefree family. He brings a fighting rooster to enter in Jonas's cockfight against Emily, signaling the Tuttles' habit of relying on luck rather than labor. The reunion highlights their easygoing lifestyle and looming financial fragility.

Shrewd businessman Jensen convinces Dr. Blondin to transfer Jonas's mounting debt to him. The doctor agrees, and this rearrangement deepens the Tuttles' financial entanglements.

Convinced the rooster's victory is certain, Jonas signs a mortgage for the rundown family mansion, staking everything on the ring's outcome. The cock fails to win, the bird fleeing the ring and undermining the plan.

Chester notices Tamara has grown into a beautiful young woman, catching their eyes as a couple forms. The lovers realize Emily will not sanction Tamara's marriage to a penniless adventurer.

To raise the mortgage, Chester, his brothers, and his nephew go fishing on their boat. A storm arises and they are presumed lost at sea, testing the family's bonds.

After the storm, the Tuttles survive and discover an abandoned ship adrift. Under salvage laws they claim ownership, setting the stage for a windfall that will redraw their fortunes.

Jensen purchases the ship and its cargo for an astonishing 400,000 francs, transforming the salvage into a massive potential stake in the Tuttles' future. The deal puts new pressure on the family as they face unexpected wealth.

Ignoring Emily's advice to invest wisely, Jonas deposits the money in a joint checking account. He withdraws only what is needed to repay Blondin and gives checkbooks to everyone in the family.

With the new wealth, Chester is able to marry Tamara, changing her prospects and the family’s dynamic. The wedding marks a shift in status, even as tensions over money continue underneath.

Creditors descend on Jonas, and the Tuttles spend the remaining wealth quickly. The spree strains relationships and accelerates their financial downfall.

When Jensen comes to collect, Jonas cannot locate the saved money. Jensen takes possession of the mansion, threatening the Tuttle home.

While chasing Chester's rooster, Jensen discovers the misplaced money and returns it to Blondin. This timely find saves the Tuttle home from foreclosure.

Impressed by the turn of events, Blondin offers Jonas a new loan to cover gas for the fishing boat. The loan provides a fragile lifeline for the Tuttles' livelihood.