# "Casablanca": Why can't the Germans just arrest Laszlo? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 4, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409 "2014-10-04T22:00:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/1 "2014-10-04T22:00:09Z")
Was that just a plot device, or was there some real reason that the Germans couldn’t just arrest Laszlo? Although the police chief often says “this is unoccupied France”, why would the Germans care? Laszlo is obviously a huge thorn in their side, and is an escaped convict (per German law). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/2 "2014-10-04T22:30:43Z")
In real life, he undoubtedly would have been arrested on the spot. I can’t believe that a resistance leader who just escaped from a concentration camp wouldn’t have been a wanted man in any country occupied by or allied with Nazi Germany. ---
**Author:** ![scoots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@scoots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scoots)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/3 "2014-10-04T23:08:18Z")
From this thread: > **["Casablanca" question: Victor Lazlo vs. German major](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=20798)** > > I watched the movie Casablanca, for the first time, on video last night. I’m a little bit puzzled on one point: If the German Major Strassner could order Rick’s saloon closed (after the patrons sang “La Marseillase”), why couldn’t he have arrested... > [@"Casablanca" question: Victor Lazlo vs. German major](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-question-victor-lazlo-vs-german-major/15956/12): > > The answer is covered amply in the screenplay. > > 1. Major Strasser has no official powers in Casablanca. > > 2. Captain Renaud is willing to cooperate with the Germans. He is also willing to arrest Lazlo – if Lazlo breaks the law. Since Casablanca is independent of Nazi Germany, though, Renaud has to be able to charge Lazlo with something. > > 3. When Strasser tells him to shut down Rick’s (note – it’s not technically an order), Renaud is willing to go along because he does have a reason and because he wants to cooperate. Shutting it down is also within his powers, whereas arresting Lazlo would only put Lazlo in front of a judge who could release him. > > An interesting point – if Strasser had _bribed_ Renaud to arrest Lazlo, it probably would have happened. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/4 "2014-10-04T23:31:10Z")
Any “letters of transit” would most likely have been signed by **this guy** : > **[Maxime Weygand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxime_Weygand)** > > Maxime Weygand (French pronunciation: ​\[vɛɡɑ̃\]; 21 January 1867 – 28 January 1965) was a French military commander in World War I and World War II and perpetrator of anti-semitic policies during The Holocaust as a high ranking member of the Vichy regime. > Born in Belgium, Weygand was raised in France and educated at the Saint-Cyr military academy in Paris. After graduating in 1887, he went on to become an instructor at the Cavalry School at Saumur. During World War I, Weygand served as a staff... ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/5 "2014-10-04T23:32:13Z")
As I just posted in the parallel thread, any “letters of transit” would probably have been signed by **this guy** : > **[Maxime Weygand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxime_Weygand)** > > Maxime Weygand (French pronunciation: ​\[vɛɡɑ̃\]; 21 January 1867 – 28 January 1965) was a French military commander in World War I and World War II and perpetrator of anti-semitic policies during The Holocaust as a high ranking member of the Vichy regime. > Born in Belgium, Weygand was raised in France and educated at the Saint-Cyr military academy in Paris. After graduating in 1887, he went on to become an instructor at the Cavalry School at Saumur. During World War I, Weygand served as a staff... ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/6 "2014-10-04T23:36:38Z")
One thing I always felt was that Lazlo was in no danger of getting shot or thrown into a concentration camp. They already did that, and it didn’t work. They were hoping he’d do exactly what he did – meet up with the Resistance locally and they’d find him out. Foolishly, they’d assumed sine Ilsa was around, he’d turn pliable like they assumed Rich had. Turns out everyone was out for them self in pro-Vichy Morocco. As for the letters of transit, I assumed they functioned as diplomatic documents. You wrote in the names, and it was assumed they were representatives of DeGaulle, traveling to Vichy France to negotiate a surrender, or something. Why else would German couriers be carrying such documents? So they’re intercepted by Ugarte, he sells them to Rick, and he a Yvonne use them to leave Casablanca. The guys at the airport aren’t going to think – “Hey, Rick isn’t a diplomat.” The point is everyone – Vichy government, Nazi government, neutral nations respect the documents. Every so often, in my hometown, I see this minivan with diplomatic plates. I live in a suburb of New York City, but very far from the UN or Washington DC. No cop stops the vehicle and asks – “Just what diplomacy are you doing here?” Its just the document they’re using day to day. Of course, signing Victor Lazlo to the documents would certainly be questioned by somebody. But they don’t even use them at Casablanca, they just take off. Neutral Portugal isn’t going to stop Lazlo. And I don’t suspect America will refuse him without documents, given his reputation. And if they did, so what, they’re not going to deport him to Germany. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/7 "2014-10-05T00:16:30Z")
Remember at the end of the movie when Renault says, “Round up the usual suspects”? He could arrest _anybody_. He protected Rick because he liked Rick, and he defied Strasser when he could get away with it because he didn’t like Strasser. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/8 "2014-10-05T03:23:19Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > As I just posted in the parallel thread, any “letters of transit” would probably have been signed by **this guy** : > > [Maxime Weygand - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxime_Weygand) The screenplay specifically states they are signed by Weygand. “DeGaulle” is a mondegren for “Weygand” (which is pronounced “Vey-gan”). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/9 "2014-10-05T03:45:40Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > The screenplay specifically states they are signed by Weygand. “DeGaulle” is a mondegren for “Weygand” (which is pronounced “Vey-gan”). I’ve seen _ **Casablanca** _ many times (it’s my favorite movie), and I’m as certain as I can be that Peter Lorre says “de Gaulle.” (I have indeed heard that it was Weygand in both the screenplay and the original play _ **Everybody Comes to Rick’s** _.) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/10 "2014-10-05T04:55:09Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I’ve seen _ **Casablanca** _ many times (it’s my favorite movie), and I’m as certain as I can be that Peter Lorre says “de Gaulle.” You may be certain, but you’re quite wrong. [It’s clearly “Weygand” (pronounced "Vey-gan)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I4NOPnyUjs) (0:22 in the clip). It’s definitely not de Gaulle. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/11 "2014-10-05T05:28:29Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > You may be certain, but you’re quite wrong. [It’s clearly “Weygand” (pronounced "Vey-gan)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I4NOPnyUjs) (0:22 in the clip). It’s definitely not de Gaulle. I had to listen to that clip three times before I heard “Vey-gan,” but damned if you aren’t right! I had to watch his mouth as he spoke, and I saw that the first syllable definitely starts with a “V.” There’s no way he could have pronounced a “D” with his upper teeth in that position. Another popular myth busted! You really _do_ learn something new every day. :o ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/12 "2014-10-05T12:15:47Z")
I believe the “Letters of Transit” weren’t signed by De Gaulle - he was pretty much a minor figure at the time. Although it is unclear I believe they were signed by Weygand. As for holes in the script? Letters of transit that could not be rescinded? Nonsense. Victor Lazlo, the most wanted man poncing around in a white suit so he was readily identifiable? Makes sense I am sure- just not to me. The whole movie is a B Grade though totally enjoyable watchable film. The plot is full of holes, but we can still enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/13 "2014-10-05T12:52:07Z")
The letters of transit are nonsense. There’s nothing comparable that would have prevented Lazlo’s arrest. Incidentally, Arkcon, the State Department does restrict the travel of diplomats within the U.S. for certain countries and requires the diplomats from certain other countries to give travel plans before they travel within the U.S. It’s possible that your local cops do notice the diplomatic license plates and do check on whether that particular diplomat is allowed in that particular area. Diplomats, just like anyone else, occasionally take vacations or weekend trips during which they travel around the U.S. just visiting places for fun. They’re not doing diplomatic work all the time. I don’t know if there is any list available online of where within the U.S. particular diplomats are allowed to go, but here’s a general statement from the State Department: > **[We apologize for the inconvenience... - United States Department of State](https://www.state.gov/404)** > > The page you’re looking for may have gone offline or does not exist. Please use our search, browse further via our navigation, or return to the home page. You may also visit our Archive page for more information. Still can’t find it? Send us a... ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/14 "2014-10-05T13:31:45Z")
> [@scoots](#): > > From this thread: > > ["Casablanca" question: Victor Lazlo vs. German major - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=20798) Since when did the Germans in WWII care about “official powers”? They had no “official powers” to invade Poland, either. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/15 "2014-10-05T14:02:33Z")
Moved two posts from a zombie MPSIMS thread that I’m going to lock. The chronology of the convo may be a little wonky as a result. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/16 "2014-10-05T14:55:12Z")
My assumption was not that he needed the documents to get out of Casablanca but to get into the United States. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/17 "2014-10-05T17:20:39Z")
That can’t be right. The letters of transit were signed by a French official, not an American one. They wouldn’t be relevant to getting into the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/18 "2014-10-05T18:53:50Z")
Question here: When I was working as a foreigner in Russia under contract to a Russian company, I had to obtain an exit/reentry visa through my employer every time I wanted to leave the country. If they existed, wouldn’t “letters of transit” be pretty much the same thing? ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/19 "2014-10-05T19:12:00Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > My assumption was not that he needed the documents to get out of Casablanca but to get into the United States. That’s a good point. Even today - and maybe even moreso in the early war years - you had to be permitted entry somewhere if you left (or were permitted exit from) somewhere else. It would do no good to sail out to sea if no other nation would let you in, as at least one shipload of refugees found out. Is it ever made clear where the flight lands? It’s far too small to be trans-atlantic. But in the end, remember, the “letters of transit” are a bit of Hollywood mcguffinism. The entire situation of requiring exit/entry papers might be just as distorted. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409/20 "2014-10-05T19:16:40Z")
They were flying to Lisbon. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-why-cant-the-germans-just-arrest-laszlo/700409.md?page=2)