<https://forums.tcm.com/topic/53379-daily-dose-1-the-nasty-man-in-black-the-opening-scene-of-fritz-langs-m/page/10/#comment-1094622>
<http://schema.org/text>
"Fabulous foreshadowing in this opening scene, particularly the use of the children and their song. There's the obvious diegesis in the song's lyrics, then the remark Frau Beckman makes about knowing they're safe because we can hear them--followed by ominous quiet. But that interplay also comments on the persistence of evil; though the first woman implores the children to stop singing because she doesn't want to hear about the murderer, the children keep on singing once she's out of sight, just as the murderer will continue to stalk the city.  \n  \nLang layers the dread by then creating a scene of cozy domesticity, which then alternates with views of dangers outside the home; once Elsie leaves the school (that's where the policeman helps her cross the street), she's no longer on the radar to adults, hearkening back to her mother's remark about knowing they're safe. Until she stops at the sign to bounce her ball, no adult acknowledges her, until the murderer does.  "
<https://forums.tcm.com/topic/53379-daily-dose-1-the-nasty-man-in-black-the-opening-scene-of-fritz-langs-m/page/10/?tab=comments#comment-1094622>