When bored American billionaire Charles Vanel is amused by the happiness of poor railroad man Nicolas Koline, he offers him a wager: if Koline and his family can spend 20,000 francs a day (about $11,000 in current American money) for a year, then he'll give him a nice pension. The rest of the movie is about the poor man and his family's efforts to win the bet.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Nicolas KolineAnatole Galupin | Anatole Galupin |
 Charles VanelJohn Durand | John Durand |
 Madeleine GuittyErnestine Galupin | Ernestine Galupin |
 Hélène DarlyAnna Galupin | Anna Galupin |
 Louis VonellyLe secrétaire | Le secrétaire |
| AAlexej BondireffNot listed | Not listed |
| JJ.N. Douvan-TarzowNot listed | Not listed |
 Louis MonfilsNot listed | Not listed |
 Andrée StandartNot listed | Not listed |