At the center of the plot, set at the Hotel Internacional, in Rio de Janeiro, are the receptionist Eliana, the crook Anselmo and the employees Benevides and Oscar. Eliana is in love with Anselmo, but he doesn't realize her love. Among the guests are the mobster Ambrósio, his companion Marilyn Meyer, an aspiring Hollywood actress, and a gang of clumsy smugglers formed by Neném Minhoca, Scarface, Coruja and Formoso. Everyone fears the mysterious Sombra, for whom Ambrose works in secrecy. The respectable lady Fifi de Queiroz, the American artistic entrepreneur Mr. Ziegfeld and the Arab prince Rashid complete the guest group.