Afterseventeenyearsinprison,theformerrespectedParisianbankerPaulLavondfleeswithhisfriend,thelunaticscientistMarcelthatisresearchingwithhiswifeMalitatheminiaturizationofanimalsandhumanbeingstoimprovetheresourcesofmankind.PaulLavondwasframedforrobberybyhisscoundrelassociatesEmilCoulvet,CharlesMatinandVictorRadinthathadstolenhisbusinesswhilehisfamilywasdoomedtoshame,povertyandtragedy.WhenMarcelreducestheretardedservantLachna,helearnsthatthewomanismotionlessandonlyrespondstothecontrolofhisbrainandhasaheartattack.AfterthedeathofMarcel,PaulLavondseesthechancetousetheminiaturizationprocessasinstrumentofvengeanceandhetravelstoPariswiththeinsaneMalitadisguisedofMadameMandilip,aniceoldladyandownerofadollsstore.PaulLavond,usingtheidentityofMadameMandilip,befriendshisresentedandestrangeddaughterLorraineLavondandplotsaschemetorevengeandvindicatehisfamilyname.
