Beppo and Tonio Forti are twin brothers who grew up as orphans. Each of them has a different uncle as a guardian: Beppo has Uncle Max; Tonio, Uncle Paul. At the age of sixteen, it's discovered that both of the boys can sing beautifully. Uncle Paul, the more resolute of the two uncles, ensures his nephew is able to pursue a career as a singer and gets him work at a vaudeville. Uncle Max, the personification of gentleness, isn't quite as resolute in taking action on his nephew's behalf. So Beppo is only able to get a job as a clown in a show managed by both uncles (who run the business more badly than well). To make matters worse, the two boys fall in love with the same girl, which inevitably leads to a fight and the separation of the two.