Charlie Chan in City in Darkness

Charlie Chan in City in Darkness

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
Distributed: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, December 1, 1939
Production: Began July 6, 1939
Copyright: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, December 1, 1939; LP9341
Opened: Chinese, Hollywood, Calif., the week of November 15, 1939
Sound: RCA "High Fidelity" Recording
Film: Black and white
Length: 8 reels, 6,686 feet
Running Time: 69 minutes
Production Code Administration Certificate Number: 5531
Sources: Based on the character "Charlie Chan" created by Earl Derr Biggers

Based on a play by Gina Kaus and Ladislaus Foder

Executive Producer: Sol M. Wurtzell (not credited)
Associate Producer: John Stone
Director: Herbert I. Leeds
Assistant Director: Charles Hall (not credited)
Screenplay: Robert Ellis and Helen Logan
Director of Photography: Virgil Miller
Art Direction: Richard Day and Lewis Creber
Film Editor: Harry Reynolds
Set Decorations: Thomas Little
Costumes: Herschel
Musical Direction: Samuel Kaylin
Sound: Joseph E. Aiken and William H. Andersor

CAST:

Sidney Toler: Charlie Chan
Lynn Bari: Marie Dubon (also known as Madame Madero)
Richard Clark: Tony Madero
Harold Huber: Marcel [Spevart]
Pedro de Cordoba: Antoine
Dorothy Tree: Charlotte Ronnell
C. Henry Gordon: Prefect of Police [J. Romaine]
Douglas Drumbrille: [B.] Petroff
Noel Madison: Belescu
Leo Carroll: Louis Santelle
Lon Chaney, Jr.: Pierre
Louis Mercier: ["Gentleman"] Max
George Davis: Alex
Barbara Leonard: Lola
Adrienne d'Ambricourt: Landlady
Frederik Vogeding: Captain [Holtz]

Gino Corrado: Cafe Owner

Ann Codee: Complainant at Police Headquarters (not credited)

Eugene Borden: Gendarme (not credited)

Alphonse Martell: Gendarme (not credited)

John George: Victor the Gyp (not credited)

Rlofe Sedan: Hotel Manager (not credited)

Larry Steers: Man Leaving Paris (not credited)

Arno Frey: Pilot (not credited)

Ann Codee: Complainant at Police Headquarters (not credited)

Jean De Briac: Puppeteer (not credited)

Jean Del Val: Taxicab Driver (not credited)

Harry Fleishmann: Baptiste (not credited)

Constant Franke: Officer (not credited)

Paul Irving: Doctor (not credited)

Jeanne Lafayette: French Girl (not credited)

Michael Mark: Mechanic (not credited)

Alberto Morin: Clerk (not credited)

Nita Pike: Telephone Operator (not credited)

Albert Pollet: Taxicab Driver (not credited)

Frank Puglia: Gendarme at Steamship Office (not credited)

Joseph Romantini: Gendarme (not credited)

Rolfe Sedan: Hotel Clerk (not credited)

Tom Seidel: Philip (not credited)

Lester Sharpe: Market Man (not credited)

George Sorel: Plainclothes Officer (not credited)

Larry Steers: Man Leaving Paris (not credited)

Jaques Vanaire: Gendarme (not credited)

Marek Windheim: Taxicab Driver (not credited)

Veola Vonn: French Girl (not credited)

André Cheron (not credited)

Fred Farrell (not credited)

Helen Giere (not credited)

On September 28, 1938, the great powers of Europe are poised on the brink of war, and Paris, the City of Light, is plunged into darkness as a total blackout is ordered out of fears of an air attack.

Charlie Chan, is attending the twentieth anniversary gathering of members of the Intelligence Service, who have come together in Paris to mark the occasion. "Most ironic that reunion to celebrate end of one war finds us waiting zero hour which may start a new one," states a somber Mr. Chan. However, the detective is drawn into a murder case when Petroff, a wealthy exporter, is killed that night.

As Chan's investigation progresses, he narrows the list of suspects to Tony Madero, a man whom Petroff had framed for forgery because he had objected to Petroff's unwelcome attentions to his wife, Marie Dubon; Alex, "Gentleman" Max, and Lola, three burglars who had broken into Petroff's house that night; Belescu, Petroff's business partner; Louis Santelle, a locksmith who was in the business of printing false passports; and Antoine, Petroff's French butler.

CONCLUSION:

Chan discovers that Petroff had died while dictating a telegram about obtaining clearance papers for a special cargo. The detective realizes that Petroff was a foreign agent who was dealing in munitions with a potential enemy of France. Chan then traces Belescu to Charlotte Ronnell, the head of a spy ring that was shipping munitions to the enemy. A high-speed chase leads to an airport where, while trying to make her escape, Charlotte dies in a fiery crash during takeoff.

Back at police headquarters, Antoine admits that it was he who killed Petroff during a struggle after Antoine had found that the latter was shipping weapons to the enemy, an enemy against whom his own son might soon be fighting. To this admission Chan states, "In Humble opinion, murder is harsh word for act committed in defense of country."

After Prefect of Police Romaine declares that Antoine will receive the Croix de Guerre for his service to his country, Romaine receives word of the Munich peace conference and jubilantly announces that there will be no war. Prophetically, Charlie Chan states, "Wise man has said, 'Beware of spider who invite fly into parlor.'"

NOTE: The working title of this film was Charlie Chan in City in Darkness. The Variety magazine review of this film from November 22, 1939 adds support for this view.

Adapted from: AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE CATALOG - Within Our Gates: Ethnicity in American Feature Films, 1911-1960

CHARLIE CHAN'S APHORISMS:

Birds never divide worm until safe in nest.

In every city there are roosts where birds of feather congregate.

Patience big sister to wisdom.

Confucius has said, "A wise man question himself, a fool others."

Truth is only path out of tangled web.

To describe bitter medicine will not improve its flavor.

Wise man has said, "Beware of spider who invite fly into parlor."

OTHER WORTHY STATEMENTS:

Most ironic that reunion to celebrate end of one war finds us waiting zero hour which may start a new one. (at the twentieth anniversary reunion of members of the Intelligence Service)

Have not prepared for emergency, like man who buy suit with only one pair pants. (regarding his not having purchased a boat ticket ahead of time)

First war profiteer, like early bird, look for big fat worm. (regarding over-priced boat ticket offered to him by Louis Santelle)

Will happily defer to lady in distress. (to Marie Dubon who wished to purchase the same boat ticket)

As number two son would say, "This is right up your alley." (to Marcel Spivac who was searching for a woman - Marie Dubon)

Have two strikes now. Recommend you consider self out. (to Marcel Spevart after the second time he was tossed out of a hotel door)

Already hands of watch reach out to grasp new day. (to Marcel Spevart regarding the late hour)

Prodigal two franc piece find odd resting place. (to Antoine after finding a coin in his pants cuff)

Most honest - while ace of hearts play hooky from deck. (to "Gentleman" Max who was cheating his accomplice at cards)

Quite evident sugar daddy attract many butterflies. (regarding Petroff's address book filled with the names and adresses of women)

As number two son would say, "You asked for it." (to Marcel Spevart who was socked by Tony Madero concerning Madero's wife, Marie Dubon)

Acid very poor oil to loosen stubborn tongue. (to Lois Santelle who was about to torture him with acid)

Very difficult to drive car forward while looking backward. (to driver of car who was arguing with Marcel during high-speed chase)

In humble opinion, murder is harsh word for act committed in defense of country. (regarding Antoine who killed, but in the defense of France)

REVIEW:

Variety, November 22, 1939

Charlie Chan gets tangled in a murder mystery in Paris during the Munich crisis, unravels a spy ring, blocks shipment of contraband, rounds up numerous suspects, and finally solves the crime with intuitive deductions. 'City in Darkness' is decidedly weak in story factors, and slow in proceeding through to the eventual finish. It's one of the weakest in the 'Chan' series. A moderate supporting programmer.

Story is threadbare of essential drama generally concocted for the Chan pictures, and struggles through without sufficient interest for a murder mystery.

Chan, in trying to book passage out of France, is catapulted into the middle of a murder mystery. Proceeding to untangle the mess, hampered by wild deductor Harold Huber, roundup finds smashing of a spy ring in addition to other elements of the government.

Direction is inadequate, further hampered by poor story material. Attempts to provide Huber with comedy as a jittery police novice are ineffectual. The audience is never presented with sufficient interest in the murder or culprit, and the mystery just unwinds without much attention.

FILM NOTES:

DATE: September 28-29, 1938 (Wednesday and Thursday)

DURATION: Two days

LOCATION: Paris, France

THE TIME SHOWN ON THE "BIG BEN" CLOCK DURING THE PROLOGUE: 6 p.m.

THE FAMOUS ADDRESS SHOWN DURING THE PROLOGUE: 10 Downing Street

THE WORLD LEADERS SHOWN DURING THE PROLOGUE:

Neville Chamberlain

Edward Benes (President of Czechoslavakia)

Benito Mussolini

Adolph Hitler

THE TEXT OF THE POSTED NOTICE IN FRENCH:

"AVIS

Pendant la nuit du 28 Septembre, la Ville de

Paris sera complement dans l'oscurite par

protection contre les avions ennemais.

Il est absolument interdi de laisser les lumineres

penetrer a travers les fenetres ou les portes.

Tout individu ne se conformant pas a cet

ordre sera rigoureusment pour suivi.

Par ordre de J. Romaine,

Prefet de Police"

THE TEXT OF THE POSTED NOTICE AS TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH:

"NOTICE

On the night of September 28, the City

of Paris will be in darkness as a precaution

against air raids.

Do not allow light to penetrate through win-

dows or doors.

Negligence will be met with punnishment and

fines.

By order of J. Romaine,

Prefect of Police"

THE TIME AS NOTED BY CAPTAIN HOLTZ TO CHARLOTTE RONNELL AS THE MAIL PLANE FROM LONDON IS HEARD OVERHEAD: "A quarter of six (p.m.)"

THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT CAPTAIN HOLTZ AND CHARLOTTE RONNELL HAD BEEN WAITING FOR BELESCU: 2 hours (making his appointment time 3:45 p.m.)

CHARLOTTE RONNELL'S ROOM NUMBER: 304

THE NAME OF CAPTAIN HOLTZ' SHIP: The Medusa

THE CARGO TO BE SHIPPED ABOARD THE MEDUSA: Contraband (declared at the French Maritime Department as "a shipment of fruit")

BELESCU'S PRICE FOR OBTAINING THE CLEARANCE PAPERS FOR THE MEDUSA: 1 million francs

PETROFF'S PARTIAL ADDRESS AS SHOWN ON THE ENVELOPE DELIVERED TO THE POLICE BY ANTOINE:

"Mr. B. Belesqu

302 Avenue Kle---"

THE MEETING ATTENDED BY CHARLIE CHAN IN PARIS: The twentieth anniversary reunion of members of the Intelligence Service

THE NAME OF THE FRENCH INN MENTIONED BY ROMAINE: The Jumping Rabbit (Romaine: "...where, twenty years before, it was decided to meet in twenty years.")

GIRLS FROM THE JUMPING RABBIT WHO WERE MENTIONED IN CONNECTION WITH ROMAINE: Mimi and Evonne

THE STATED TIME THAT THE NEXT PASSENGER SHIP WAS TO SAIL THE NEXT DAY: 11 a.m.

THE LENGTH OF TIME UNTIL THE NEXT BOAT WAS TO SAIL: Six days

THE NAME OF THE SHIP THAT WAS SAILING THE NEXT DAY: The Bolivia

THE DESTINATION OF THE BOLIVIA: Panama

LOUIS SANTELLE'S ASKING PRICE FOR A TICKET ABOARD THE BOLIVIA: 15,000 francs ($450)

THE VALUE OF A FRENCH FRANC (IN U.S. CURRENCY) ON SEPTEMBER 28, 1938: 33 cents

THE ADDRESS OF MARIE DUBON: Hotel des Voyageurs

THE DISEASE THAT LED TO THE EVENTUAL DEATH OF THE HUSBAND OF THE LANDLADY OF THE HOTEL DES VOYAGEURS: Angina Pectoris (at the age of 46 - brought on by smoking)

THE NAME OF THE BURLY WORKER AT THE HOTEL DES VOYAGEURS: Batiste

LOUIS SANTELLE'S ADVERTISED OCCUPATION: Serrurier (locksmith)

THE FALSE PASSPORT IDENTITY GIVEN TO TONY MADERO: Sr. Antonio Castillo, a coffe planter from Bogota, Columbia

LOUIS SANTELLE'S ASKING PRICE FOR A FALSE PASSPORT FOR TONY MADERO: 10,000 francs (later raised to 50,000 francs)

THE TIME GIVEN BY LOUIS SANTELLE TO MARIE DUBON AS THE DEADLINE TO RAISE THE ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR THE PASSPORT: Midnight

THE NAME OF PETROFF'S SERVANT WHO WAS HEADING OFF TO WAR: Henri

THE NAME OF ANTOINE'S SON WHO WAS HEADING OFF TO WAR: Pierre

THE TIME AS ANTOINE LEFT PETROFF'S HOUSE WITH SON PHILIPPE: 9:45 p.m.

THE STATED DEPARTURE TIME OF PHILIPPE'S TRAIN: About 10:45 p.m.(an hour after leaving Petroff's house)

THE ITEMS THAT ANTOINE SUGGESTED THAT HIS SON INCLUDE IN HIS KIT: Cootie powder (Antoine: "You'll have plenty of them to fight, too.") and rhubarb pills (Antoine: "They're more important than toothpaste.")

THE TIME AS BELESCU LEFT PETROFF'S HOUSE: Midnight

ACCORDING TO MARCEL SPEVART, THE STREET THAT PETROFF LIVES ON: "Rue d'Avignon"

PREFECT OF POLICE ROMAINE'S RELATIONSHIP TO MARCEL SPEVART: Godfather (Marcel Spevart: "My real father is Chief of Police of Bucharest, Romania. He sent me (to Paris) to learn French police methods.")

THE ACTUAL DEPARTURE TIME OF PHILIPPE'S TROOP TRAIN: 11:31 p.m.

ANTOINE'S STATED TIME OF HIS RETURN TO PETROFF'S HOUSE: "About 12:30...it might have been 12:31.")

ACCORDING TO CHARLIE CHAN, THE WEAPON THAT WAS USED TO KILL PETROFF: "Luger" pistol

THE DISTANCE AT WHICH THE FATAL SHOT WAS FIRED: "Three paces"

THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT PETROFF HAD BEEN DEAD WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED AT THE CRIME SCENE: "Aproximately one hour"

THE TYPE OF FLOWER ALWAYS WORN BY BELESCU: Camilia

BELESCU'S RESIDENCE: Hotel Versailles

THE WORLD WAR I BATTLE WHERE ANTOINE WAS INJURED: Verdun

THE COIN FOUND IN ANTOINE'S PANTS CUFF BY CHARLIE CHAN: 2-franc piece (date on the coin: 1918)

THE DRINK REFERRED TO BY MARCEL SPEVART AS "THE BRANDY OF NAPOLEON: Cognac

THE VARIOUS CROOKS POINTED OUT TO CHARLIE CHAN BY MARCEL SPEVART IN THE SLEEZY CAFE:

"Guillaume the Weasel" (Marcel Spevart: "From six generations of crooks.")

"Victor the Gyp" (Marcel Spevart: "His mother was guillotined.")

"Gaston the ---"

"Gentleman Max" (Marcel Spevart: "Jewelry thief anf lady killer.")

(Marcel Spevart: "The dirty one is Alex ---")

THE FAVORITE DRINK OF MAX AND ALEX: Burgundy

THE TIME AS MAX AND ALEX ROBBED PETROFF'S SAFE IN HIS HOUSE: Midnight

THE NAMES READ FROM PETROFF'S ADDRESS BOOK BY CHARLIE CHAN:

"Adelle, Babette, Blanche, Celeste."

THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES SHOWN IN PETROFF'S ADDRESS BOOK:

"(Blanche) Latour

10 Rue de Bonc

Celeste Mouiller

26 Rue de Richelieu

M.D. (Marie Dubon)

Hotel des Voyageurs"

THE DEPARTURE POINT OF THE SHIP BOLIVIA TO PANAMA: Cherbourg

THE AMOUNT OF TONY MADERO'S BILL AT THE HOTEL DES VOYAGEURS: (Landlady: "Counting tonight, it's 45 francs.") (presumably 15 francs per night)

THE "RECORD" TIME OF THE "SOLUTION" OF THE CASE ACCORDING TO MARCEL SPEVART: "Two hours and twenty-six minutes")

THE ADDRESS OF LOUIS SANTELLE AS PARTIALLY SHOWN ON HIS CARD: "321 Rue du ---"

THE CONTENTS OF THE FOLDER BROUGHT TO POLICE HEADQUARTERS CONTAINING STOLEN ITEMS FROM PETROFF'S SAFE: "Government bonds, jewelry, and 6,000 francs."

THE AMOUNT OF MONEY ACTUALLY STOLEN FROM PETROFF'S SAFE BY MAX AND ALEX: 15,000 francs (Lola had spent 9,000 francs on her boyfriend who was going to war)

THE NAME OF LOLA'S BOYFRIEND: Henri

THE TIME, ACCORDING TO BELESCU, AS HE ARRIVED AT PETROFF'S HOUSE: 11:30 p.m.

THE TEXT OF THE TELEGRAM THAT PETROFF WAS DICTATING OVER THE TELEPHONE WHEN HE WAS KILLED:

"MEDUSA, CHERBOURG. CARGO

MUST LEAVE HERE TONIGHT BEFORE

POSSIBLE EMBARGO. PAPERS

SECURED FROM BELESCU. AM

SENDING THEM IMMEDIATELY

BY ---"

THE TIME AS THE MESSAGE WAS DICTATED: 12:06 a.m.

THE FRENCH MEDAL MENTIONED BY MARCEL SPEVART: Croix de Guerre (Marcel Spevart: [to Charlie Chan] "We will get the Croix de Guerre - with palms!")

THE SERIAL NUMBERS ON THE ILL-FATED PLANE USED FOR A GETAWAY BY CHARLOTTE RONNELL AND CAPTAIN HOLTZ:

ACL-52

BT-126-4

THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER OF THE TAXI USED BY CHARLIE CHAN AND MARCEL SPIVAK TO FOLLOW CHARLOTTE RONNEL: 602-67

THE FAMOUS PRE-WORLD WAR II CONFERENCE REFERRED TO AT THE END OF THE FILM: The Munich Conference

GLOSSARY:

angina pectoris - A heart condition marked by paroxysms of chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart.

Landlady: My old man died from his angina pectoris, and only 46 years old."

cherchez la femme - (French) "Look for the woman."

Charlie Chan: "Cherchez la femme?"

Cinderellas - (1) Those who have unexpectedly achieved recognition or success after a period of obscurity and neglect. (2) (Cinderella) A fictional young girl who is saved from her stepmother and stepsisters by her fairy godmother and a handsome prince.

Marcel Spevart: "I never saw so many Cinderellas."

Cognac - A high quality grape brandy distilled in the Cognac district of France.

Charlie Chan: "Note, bottle of cognac recently disposed of."

cootie - (slang) A body louse.

Antoine: "Did you pack cootie powder in your kit?"

Croix de Guerre - with Palms - A French military decoration for bravery in combat. A bronze palm is added for those cited att he army level.

Marcel Spevart: "We will get the Croix de Guerre - with palms!"

gave...the slip - (slang) To escape the pursuit of.

Belescu: "...I gave them the slip."

guillotined - To be beheaded with a guillotine, a device consisting of a heavy blade held aloft between upright guides and dropped to behead the victim below.

Marcel Spevart: "His mother was guillotined."

Hitler (Adolf Hitler) - (1889-1945) Austrian-born founder of the German Nazi Party and chancellor of the Third Reich (1933-1945). His fascist philosophy attracted widespread support, and after 1934 he ruled as an absolute dictator. Hitler's pursuit of aggressive nationalist policies resulted in the invasion of Poland (1939) and the subsequent outbreak of World War II. His regime was infamous for the extermination of millions of people, especially European Jews. He committed suicide when the collapse of the Third Reich was imminent.

Narrator: "Hitler has pledged Germany to protect the Sudetens."

Intelligence Service - A unit responsible for gathering and interpreting information about an enemy.

Prefect of Police Romaine: "Comrades of the Intelligence Service..."

Left Bank - A district of Paris on the southern, or left, bank of the Seine River. It has long been noted for its artistic and intellectual life.

Belescu: "Take me over to the Left Bank."

Luger - A German semiautomatic pistol introduced before World War I and widely used by German troops in World War II.

Charlie Chan: "Empty shell, ejected from Luger automatic pistol."

Maginot Line - A fortification built before World War II to protect France's eastern border; initially considered to be impregnable it was easily overrun by the Germans in 1940.

Narrator: "Soldiers pour into the famous Maginot Line."

Mussolini (Benito Mussolini) - (1883-1945) Led Italy from 1922 to 1943. He created a fascist state through the use of state terror and propaganda. His entry into World War II on the side of Nazi Germany made Italy a target for Allied attacks and ultimately led to his downfall and death.

Narrator: "Rome parades her troops before Mussolini."

nitric acid - A transparent, colorless to yellowish, fuming corrosive liquid that is a highly reactive oxidizing agent.

Charlie Chan: "...nitric acid used in making printing plates."

on the spot - (idiom) In a difficult situation.

Belescu: "You're not going to put me on the spot for murder!"

President Benes (Eduard Benes) - (1884-1948) Czechoslovakian politician who was foreign minister (1918-1935) and president (1935-1938) until the German occupation forced him to flee the country. On his return he was again elected president (1946) but resigned after refusing to sign a Communist constitution (1948).

Narrator: "President Benes urges the Czechs to defy the Nazi demands."

Prime Minister Chamberlain (Neville Chamberlain) - (1869-1940) British politician and prime minister (1937-1940) who advocated a policy of appeasement toward the fascist regimes of Europe. He was forced to declare war on Germany after its invasion of Poland in 1939.

Narrator: "...Prime Minister Chamberlain rushes by plane to Hitler for a last-minute plea to avert war."

sugar daddy - (slang) A wealthy, usually older man who gives expensive gifts to a young person in return for sexual favors or companionship.

Charlie Chan: "Quite evident sugar daddy attract many butterflies."

For a complete list from all films, please visit our Charlie Chan Glossary.

THE MUNICH CONFERENCE:

Text of the agreement concluded at Munich, Germany, on September 29, 1938, between Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy:

Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy, taking into consideration the agreement, which has been already reached in principle for the cession to Germany of the Sudeten German territory, have agreed on the following terms and conditions governing the said cession and the measures consequent thereon, and by this agreement they each hold themselves responsible for the steps necessary to secure its fulfilment:

(1) The evacuation will begin on 1st October.

(2) The United Kingdom, France and Italy agree that the evacuation of the territory shall be completed by the 10th October, without any existing installations having been destroyed, and that the Czechoslovak Government will be held responsible for carrying out the evacuation without damage to the said installations.

(3) The conditions governing the evacuation will be laid down in detail by an international commission composed of representatives of Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Czechoslovakia.

(4) The occupation by stages of the predominantly German territory by German troops will begin on 1st October. The four territories marked on the attached map will be occupied by German troops in the following order:

The territory marked No. I on the 1st and 2nd of October; the territory marked No. II on the 2nd and 3rd of October; the territory marked No. III on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of October; the territory marked No. IV on the 6th and 7th of October. The remaining territory of preponderantly German character will be ascertained by the aforesaid international commission forthwith and be occupied by German troops by the 10th of October.

(5) The international commission referred to in paragraph 3 will determine the territories in which a plebiscite is to be held. These territories will be occupied by international bodies until the plebiscite has been completed. The same commission will fix the conditions in which the plebiscite is to be held, taking as a basis the conditions of the Saar plebiscite. The commission will also fix a date, not later than the end of November, on which the plebiscite will be held.

(6) The final determination of the frontiers will be carried out by the international commission. The commission will also be entitled to recommend to the four Powers, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy, in certain exceptional cases, minor modifications in the strictly ethnographical determination of the zones which are to be transferred without plebiscite.

(7) There will be a right of option into and out of the transferred territories, the option to be exercised within six months from the date of this agreement. A German-Czechoslovak commission shall determine the details of the option, consider ways of facilitating the transfer of population and settle questions of principle arising out of the said transfer.

(8) The Czechoslovak Government will within a period of four weeks from the date of this agreement release from their military and police forces any Sudeten Germans who may wish to be released, and the Czechoslovak Government will within the same period release Sudeten German prisoners who are serving terms of imprisonment for political offences.

Munich, September 29, 1938.
ADOLF HITLER,
NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN,
EDOUARD DALADIER,
BENITO MUSSOLINI.