[3] It made significant changes to the historical story, including turning Jean-Gaspard Deburau from a mime into a singer.

Gründgens was unhappy with his performance, while both Adolf Hitler and the Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels were critical of the production.

[4] In Paris in 1830, the popular singer Jean-Gaspard Deburau performs in front of large crowds at the Théâtre des Funambules every evening.

When both men compete for the romantic affections of Countess Cambouilly, Debureau begins to openly sing his attacks on the monarch.

He is sentenced to death, but is rescued on the steps of the guillotine when the people of Paris rise up and overthrow the King, driving him from the country and placing his cousin Louis Phillipe on the throne.