The night before the court session that likely will sentence Kitty Kellermann, a surprise visitor shows up at night and seemingly provides ample evidence that Grandt's friend and lawyer, knowing about the terms of Paul Kellermann's will, has the intention to take advantage of that, having bought a ticket well before he received the telegram.

After making his point that things are not always as they may seem, as simple sleight of hand "hocus-pocus" tricks and a forged date on a ticket apparently had convinced the judge within minutes that his long-term friend has evil intentions, the visitor declares that he is Peter Bille, a former circus artist, escape artist, illusionist, speed painter, trick shooter and jurist, and that he will defend poor and innocent Mrs. Kellermann because her lawyer has stepped down.

The film sets were designed by the art directors Robert Herlth and Walter Röhrig.

The English-language version was made at the same time, The Temporary Widow, the title referring to one of the paintings.

Also directed by Ucicky and starring bi-lingual Lilian Harvey, Laurence Olivier acted in his first full movie.