Stingy, pretentious landlord Rigsby is looking for another lodger. One of his current lodgers, Miss Jones, is keen for her acquaintance, Philip, to move in because she is attracted to him.

Rigsby is sceptical but intrigued by a ritual which Philip shows him - banging his spear on the ground to summon a woman.

Rigsby, Alan, Philip and Ruth go out to an upmarket restaurant (which has a strict dress code) for Ruth's birthday. Rigsby borrows his new lodger Spooner's suit, without his permission.

Alan wears an earring to attract the opposite sex, which Rigsby disapproves of. Alan sneaks Maureen into his room; Rigsby hears her and ejects her.

Rigsby has to tell an ill-tempered wrestler to turn down the volume on his radio.

Ruth's screams of a prowler brings Rigsby to her side and prompts a visit from the regional crime squad.

Rigsby's political loyalties are put to the test as election fever grips the house.

Philip arranges a blind date for Alan, so he can be alone with Ruth, who's been let down by her latest suitor.

Rigsby has to choose between his pride and his stomach when Philip challenges his ability to go without food for three days.

Rigsby reluctantly joins a communal fitness craze.

Rigsby jumps to the conclusion that Ruth has fallen in love with him.

A well-bred new tenant brings out Rigsby's aristocratic aspirations.

Rigsby tries to seduce a new tenant while fending off bill collectors.

Rigsby tries to spook Alan by telling him that the boarding house is haunted.

Rigsby spends Christmas alone, but both Alan and Philip return early looking for some solitude for romance.

Rigsby returns from his holidays to find that Ruth has returned and that an infant is being passed around for care.

When Alan and Ruth are cast as lovers in a play written by a new tenant, Hilary, a jealous Rigsby decides to take up acting.

Rigsby tries to impress Ruth with a fancy new car.

Even the callous Rigsby becomes concerned over a depressed new tenant who has suffered a series of business and personal problems.

Ruth becomes indignant with Marilyn, the new tenant, who is an exotic dancer with an unusual prop in her act.

Alan becomes engaged to a girl from a snobbish family.

Rigsby jumps to a drastic conclusion when a hypochondriac tenant is taken to the hospital.

Ruth befriends a young couple who have moved in, fleeing from her disapproving father.

Rigsby convinces his new tenant, a pious Welsh student, that Philip is in need of spiritual guidance, but it's Rigsby who sees the light.

Rigsby persuades Ruth to impersonate his estranged wife so he can collect an inheritance from his great uncle.

Rigsby tries to find a woman through an ad in the personals column and receives a surprising response.

Rigsby persuades a tenant behind on his rent to hypnotize Ruth and plant the idea she's madly in love with Rigsby.

Rigsby finally proposes to Ruth when he receives his long awaited divorce papers.