 Set just after the end of WWII (but filmed in the middle of it) in a time of general euphoria at having won the war, with full employment and general happiness for all (or nearly all). Peter, the young wastrel son of a hard working hotel owner doesn t like the idea of having to work for a living. He discovers a society of "White Elephants" who are quite willing to be poor as long as they don t have to work. They are protected and guided by Nina ( Margaret Lockwood  (qv)) and her precocious sister Heidi ( Jean Simmons  (qv).