Inventor Carl Åkerblom is a rosy-cheeked 54 year-old admirer of Franz Schubert - and a patient in the psychiatric ward of Akademiska Hospital in Uppsala, after having attempted to beat to death his fiancée, Pauline Thibault. Together with another patient, Professor Osvald Vogler, they set up a film project: the living talkie. Before long, they set off on a frantic tour with their film, "The Joy of the Joyous Girl"...

Cast overview, first billed only

• Börje Ahlstedt (Uncle Carl Åkerblom)
• Marie Richardson (Pauline Thibualt)
• Erland Josephson (Osvald Vogler)
• Pernilla August (Karin Bergman)
• Anita Björk (Anna Åkerblom)
• Agneta Ekmanner (Klovnen Rigmor)
• Lena Endre (Märta Lundberg)
• Gunnel Fred (Emma Vogler)
• Gerthi Kulle (Sister Stella)
• Johan Lindell (Johan Egerman)
• Peter Stormare (Petrus Landahl)
• Folke Asplund (Fredrik Blom)
• Anna Björk (Mia Falk)
• Inga Landgré (Alma Berglund)
• Alf Nilsson (Stefan Larsson)