The Silent City (1940)

Titles read: “Pathetone Lightens The ’Blackout’ with - THE SILENT CITY“. Strasbourg - Alsace / Lorraine, France. Brief shots of French troops reoccupying Strasbourg in 1918 after the First World War. Troops march along, huge crowds rejoice and cheer. General view of Strasbourg. Brief C/U of a notice in French detailing the evacuation order. We then see several shots of inhabitants of Strasbourg moving out of the city in 1939 as it is taken over by the police and military. Good shots of shop displays being packed up (including souvenir shop owner packing Alsace doll), furniture and belongings being wheeled down streets on carts and in prams. Various good shots of the deserted town, empty streets, buildings with shutters closed. Good shot of rows of fashionable hats in a milliner’s shop window. The empty town square and docks. Military police ride about on bicycles and walk along streets; one tests the door of a shoe shop to make sure it is secure. Military police check papers of drivers e