How to Keep the Red Lamp Burning

The film consists of three separate chapters, each with its own distinct tone and plot. In "Chapter 1: The Closure", a new law closes all brothels in Paris in 1946, forcing the owner, Monsieur Charles (Bernard Blier), to dismiss his girls. Dominique Davray plays Madame Blanche, the madame of another brothel, who receives a red lantern as parting gifts from her own patrons. In "Chapter 2: The Trial", two incompetent burglars are put on trial, with Lucette (Andréa Parisy), formerly one of Monsieur Charles' girls, testifying about a stolen red lantern. Mireille Darc plays Héloïse, another girl who was forced out of her job. In "Chapter 3: Men of Good Taste", Louis de Funès plays Léon, a bachelor who rescues Héloïse and offers her a room in his house. The chapter follows the story of how Héloïse and her friends start working at Léon's club, where they win over the members with their cooking and waitressing skills.