Original subtitles

* [Charles Gounod: "Funeral March of a Marionette"]

Oh, good evening.

You know, this came as somewhat of a surprise to me.

I was under the impression that all pool tables were kidney-shaped.

I guess that's only true in Hollywood.

Our story tonight will be in a somewhat different vein.

It is a tale of mystery and intrigue on a transcontinental express.

It is called....

The title seems to have slipped my mind. It's....

You've dropped your cue.

The title of tonight's play is Safe Conduct.

Thank you very much.

[whistle blowing]

[train bell rings]

[knocking at door]

Entrez.Come in.

Excuse me, tickets, please. Oh, yes.

Tickets, passport...

letter of safe conduct from President Stoska.

Well, aren't you going to read it?

It tells all about me, and why I'm in your country.

I know perfectly well why you're here, Miss Prescott.

You're to write articles about our country for the American newspapers...

with the approval of President Stoska himself.

I have a copy of the letter here.

Thank you. Thank you.

Dining car is open.

(officer) Have you enjoyed your visit here?

Yes, I had a marvelous time. I was shown every courtesy.

I'm sorry you're leaving us so soon.

You'll get into Furtburg at midnight. Midnight?

And you'll proceed into Western Germany.

The train will be checked very thoroughly at the border...

but I think we can arrange that you be disturbed as little as possible.

How wonderful.

Do you carry any military maps, photos of restricted areas...

official documents? No.

This will advise the customs officials at the border...

that your luggage has been inspected...

and you won't have to trouble to open it.

Thank you very much, it's very kind of you. Not at all, ma'am.

Jan Gubak. I didn't know you were on the train.

I'm traveling incognito, Comrade.

I see. Officer?

What is his name? Is he one of your movie stars?

No, ma'am. He's one of our great national heroes. - Oh.

He certainly is popular. Back at the station there...

there was a crowd of people around him. Children--

You see, he is the captain of our national soccer team.

It was he who won us the world championship last year in Switzerland.

Oh, I see.

He's really considered the greatest soccer player alive today...

even according to your capitalistic sports commentators.

Please excuse me, I'd like to ask an autograph for my son.

Oh, yes.

Good night, Miss Prescott. See you at the border.

Good night.

[train bell rings]

[train whistle blowing]

[knocking at door]

Come in.

Miss Prescott, may I come in? Yes, come in.

Do you want to leave the door open?

Yes, it might be a good idea.

I always smoke too much when I'm working anyway. Sit down.

You are an American reporter writing about our country.

Yes, I'm right in the middle of it now.

I saw your picture in the newspapers...

with President Stoska, at the ballet theater, visiting our War Memorial.

You have many clothes.

Just about average, I'd say.

Do you have many stockings, too, and much lingerie?

Hmm?

I beg your pardon?

Well, I... I would like to buy a pair of stockings.

Or perhaps a slip or something...

if you would be kind enough to sell it to me.

You know, I hardly think they'd fit you.

It is not for me. You see, I am on my way to Munich...

where my sister is in hospital.

I wanted to buy her something before getting on the train...

but all the stores were closed. I forgot it was a national holiday.

So now I have 300 Kronen in my pocket...

and no gift for my sister Zinka.

Can't you buy her something in Munich?

But I will have no money in Munich.

You see, we only allowed to take 100 Kronen out of the country.

And if I have more...

then I must leave it with the customs office until my return.

Yes, I forgot your strict border regulations.

Oh, yes, rules and regulations...

permits and questionnaires.

That's all governments are for, to make our life more difficult every day.

I like your honesty...

but don't you think it's dangerous to criticize your government?

Oh, I know. Everybody keeps telling me to keep my mouth shut.

But I am not afraid.

Not as long as I am the captain of the national soccer team.

Now, about our business transaction....

Oh!

Oh, yes. Let's see what's on sale today, shall we?

Secondhand slips, scarfs....

Perfect. Brand new pair of stockings, extra sheer.

Oh, it's wonderful.

How much?

Well, it will cost you...

one picture of yourself in your soccer uniform...

with the inscription:

"To Mary Prescott. Thanks for the stockings."

What is your name? Gubak. Jan Gubak.

[muttering]

I'll send you the picture.

That still leaves me with 200 Kronen to spend.

Why, you know. You are my guest for dinner tonight.

Okay?

Okay.

Now? Now.

(Jan) And there I was, with one minute to play in the game...

and a 3-3 score.

I found an opening between the Argentine center and the inside left.

Seeing two Argentine halfbacks moving up...

I quickly passed the ball to my outside right--

Then Dugovitch, he carried the ball to the 11-meter line.

But he was too far out. So he passed the ball back to Jan.

He knew the world championship depended on his next move.

He did not take any chances.

He maneuvered the ball with his head into the goal...

landing in the net with the ball himself.

Now that the game is over, may I salt my chops?

Oh, I'm Sorry. Of course. Thank you, madame.

Allow me to introduce myself. Professor Mihajl Klopka.

How do you do? My name is Mary-- I know your name, madame.

After your visit to our President, you are as famous as Comrade Gubak.

You would both do me a great honor...

if you would permit me to buy you an after-dinner liqueur.

Thank you, we've had our liqueur.

With your permission, Comrade, may I have a few words...

with our illustrious visitor from America?

I specialize in medical research.

I'm on my way to Munich to attend a convention...

where we will hear a report on your new polio vaccine.

Oh, yes. Your dinner is getting cold.

Thank you, Comrade, but I've had enough.

Of course, we found a vaccine against polio years ago.

Oh, did you?

Why do you look so surprised?

Don't you believe we have such a serum?

Of course I believe you...

but if you've had this serum all this time...

how is that you haven't shared it with the rest of the world?

Think of the lives you could have saved.

I fully agree with you, madame...

but for a long time that was not our policy.

I certainly think it is good to know that our two countries...

are beginning to understand each other better.

I think it is time that we opened up our frontiers...

our minds, and our hearts.

Shall we go, Miss Prescott? Yes.

It was very nice to meet you, Professor. The honor is all mine.

[people chattering]

Let us not waste any time.

What did you say? How long will you stay in Munich?

Just one night. I leave the day after tomorrow for London.

Well, how about dinner tomorrow night?

All right, if you let me take you.

Well, I...

I will. I will be very poor in Munich.

8:00 at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten.

[train whistle blowing]

[bell ringing]

This is the name of the hospital where Zinka is.

Zinka Gubak.

If they should take me off the train at the border...

you call her and tell her what happened.

Why should they take you off the train?

Because of this.

It belongs to my mother.

From the old days, when we were rich.

It's a beautiful watch. Yes.

We are not allowed to take valuables out of the country.

But Zinka needs money for operation.

Well, they...

They probably won't search me too closely.

But if they undress me, I'll be arrested.

Undress you? They-they wouldn't do that.

It is done quite frequently.

It's horrible.

Why do you hide it in your shoe?

I have thought of everything.

Shoe is the safest.

(conductor) Furtburg! Furtburg!

Have passport, identification papers ready.

Let me have that watch. No, no. I cannot.

Give it to me.

Look, I'm not running any risks.

I have a safe conduct letter from your President and you see those stickers?

They mean that my luggage will not be opened.

But there is no guarantee of that.

If the customs officer tells you to open it, you have to open it...

sticker or no sticker.

All right, then I'll wear it.

And with my other jewelry, they'll never notice it.

Unless you don't trust me.

I had forgotten how kind people can be.

I'll see you in West Germany.

[door closing]

[train bell ringing]

Furtburg!

Have passport, identification papers ready!

Furtburg!

Oh, come in.

For inspection, Miss Prescott.

This is Customs Officer Trevitch. How do you do?

MadamePrescott, I regret the necessity of inconveniencing you.

It's quite all right.

May I have your passport, please? Thank you.

You entered with $750 in traveler's checks.

Yes.

How much are you taking out? $400.

I was only able to spend $350 in your country...

because my host was so generous.

I will not ask you to open your luggage, madame.

You are not taking out gold, silver, platinum...

precious or semi-precious stones...

other than the jewelry you brought with you?

No, I can't afford to buy expensive jewelry.

She's lying to you.

The diamond watch on her wrist is not hers.

She is trying to smuggle it out of the country.

What? I won her confidence...

and she even bragged to me that she was smuggling the watch out.

But you are one who gave it to me.

Oh, that's ridiculous.

If I gave it to you, would I report you?

She showed it to me.

It has the name of our famous jeweler, Stanoff, on the back.

Miss Prescott, the watch, please.

Yes, of course.

Evidently, I'm the victim of some kind of a trick.

You come with us, Miss Prescott.

You, too, Citizen Gubak.

But this is outrageous!

I tell you, this man gave me the watch.

He told me his sister was ill in Munich...

and he needed the watch to pay for an operation.

(Jan) Such stupid lies.

My sister is not ill.

She's a secretary at our Munich Consulate. We know that, Jan.

Have you anything else to say? Yes, I have.

I want to get in touch immediately with the American ambassador.

All in good time. We haven't quite finished with you yet.

You bet you haven't.

I also demand that you contact President Stoska.

We shall see.

Take them to the detention room.

This is evidently an elaborate, carefully worked-out plan to,

to discredit an American citizen.

Be careful, Miss Prescott.

It doesn't help you to suggest that we stoop to such a trick.

You attempted to smuggle a valuable jewel out of the country.

It's a very serious offense. Take her out!

You, too, Jan.

[train whistle blowing]

[train whistle blowing]

I was going to the convention, but they say that I'm trying to escape.

That I bought my exit permit.

I didn't.

I only gave the official a small fee because he was courteous.

I'm a loyal citizen.

But they are going to put me into prison.

Klopka, come along.

Have you completed your investigation? Yes, Captain Kriza.

Nothing in her luggage, nothing in the films.

I see. This American woman puzzles me.

Either she doesn't understand the danger she is in...

or she is depending upon the favor of the President.

May I make a suggestion, Captain?

I believe the President should be informed before we do anything further.

Yes, I think it would be best.

Put in an urgent call to His Excellency. Yes, sir.

Hello, operator?

Operator? Captain Kriza, Central Secret Police...

wishes to speak to His Excellency the President.

Wait a minute! The watch.

The stones are plain imitations. What?

They are not diamonds. Cancel the call.

Hello? Never mind this call.

There is no doubt, they are just superior rhinestones.

Why should she smuggle rhinestones?

I think I see.

This American woman is trying to trick us. - How?

Can't you understand? She wanted us to arrest her.

Then, through her ambassador, she would prove this watch worthless.

And she would bring ridicule on both our country and our President.

I think we are fortunate that we found out in time.

If our President finds out that we took her off the train...

and made all that fuss over nothing, we may be in hot water.

I was up for promotion next month.

I think we can outwit Miss Prescott.

You will complement her on her cleverness...

laugh loudly...

and then put her back on the train.

You know, Miss Prescott...

I've heard a great deal about the American sense of humor...

but to attempt to smuggle a worthless watch across the border...

is most unusual.

It's hilarious.

[all laughing]

Well, you know, we're just little devils at heart.

I'm afraid we have to leave you now, Miss Prescott.

We do hope that you will come back soon.

I can hardly wait.

Oh, yes.

Your watch, please.

You mean I get my watch back, too? Oh, yes.

We want to you to leave us with the pleasantest of memories.

Of that you can be sure.

[sighing]

[train horn blowing]

[knocking at door]

Who is it? [Jan whispering] It's me, Jan.

Let me in.

By all means, come in.

Well, Comrade?

Now, sit down and listen, and try not to interrupt me.

All right. Let's hear it.

First of all, I want to thank you...

for what you have done for our anti-communist underground.

Underground? Yes.

I was instructed to take this train and win your confidence.

Now, we knew that they would find out that the watch had no value...

and they would have to release you.

But-but why? What's the reason for all this?

This.

In this package are microfilms of the diary of Bishop Dresev's...

written in his own hand during his last year in prison.

Bishop Dresev was the man who just died a few months ago...

just before his trial. He died, conveniently...

because he refused to sign the confession they had prepared for him.

It is all here.

And we want the whole world to know the truth...

of his persecution, torture and death.

This is fantastic.

Now, the connection.

By smuggling the watch...

and giving me the opportunity of denouncing you...

attention was directed away from me entirely.

I was not searched and my luggage was not even opened.

Yes, I know, but why didn't you tell me?

Because if you knew, you may not have given a convincing performance...

before the border officials.

Then why didn't you give me the microfilm?

I could have hidden it in my bag, because my luggage wasn't going to be opened.

As I told you, there was no guarantee that you were not going to be inspected...

and thoroughly searched.

And if they had found this package in your possession...

you would have been guilty, and nobody could have saved you.

I...

I wouldn't allow myself to put your life in danger...

even if you had wanted to.

But your life was in danger.

Here.

This is your story.

See to it that it is published all over the free world.

Thank you, Jan.

I... I appreciate it very much, and I'll do all I can.

But won't this get you into trouble?

They will never find out that I had anything to do with it.

However, to make sure...

we must never see each other again, not even in Munich.

You see, there are too many secret agents around...

and if they saw us together after what happened at the border...

they might become suspicious. I understand.

And I'll never forget you.

Neither will I forget you.

Good night.

Goodbye. Good luck.

Maybe someday we'll meet again.

Without fear. I'm working on it.

How you say in America? "One for the road"?

Now, I'm sorry you didn't watch.

You'll never believe me.

A three cushion shot.

It caromed off the ceiling, floor and wall...

and into the side pocket.

Next week at this time we shall all return...

our mummers to offer you their usual 26 minutes of drama.

And, of course, I shall be back to lay my customary one-minute egg.

Good night.

* [Charles Gounod: "Funeral March of a Marionette"]