Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Cast:Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton. Miss Plimsoll: Elsa Lanchester. Brogan- Moore: John Williams. Mayhew: Henry Daniell.
Director: Billy Wilder.
Cast:Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton. Miss Plimsoll: Elsa Lanchester. Brogan- Moore: John Williams. Mayhew: Henry Daniell.
Director: Billy Wilder.
Billy Wilder directed this tingling adaptation of Agatha Christie's play about the trial of a man accused of murder based on very strong circumstantial evidence. It is a complex courtroom drama filled with deceptions, disguises, and plot twists.
According to the New York Times, "the air in the courtroom fairly crackles with emotional electricity, until that staggering surprise in the last reel. Then the whole drama explodes." ¹
Sir Wilfrid (Charles Laughton), a master barrister in ill health, takes Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) on as a client, over the protestations of his private nurse, Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester), that the doctor had told him to stay away from criminal cases. Vole is accused of murdering Mrs. French (Norma Varden), a rich, older woman who had become enamored of him, going so far as to make him the main beneficiary of her will.
In real life, Elsa Lanchester (Miss Plimsoll) was Laughton's (Sir Wilfrid) wife and you can see their natural chemistry accentuates the wonderful comic performance between the two.
This was Tyrone Power's final finished movie.
Spoiler Alert for anyone who hasn't seen the film yet! Marlene Dietrich did not receive a nomination but many of her fans believe she deserved one for her dual role as Christine Helm and the Cockney woman. It's not until near the end of the film that Sir Wilfrid and the audience learn Christine was the mysterious woman. ¹
According to the New York Times, "the air in the courtroom fairly crackles with emotional electricity, until that staggering surprise in the last reel. Then the whole drama explodes." ¹
Sir Wilfrid (Charles Laughton), a master barrister in ill health, takes Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) on as a client, over the protestations of his private nurse, Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester), that the doctor had told him to stay away from criminal cases. Vole is accused of murdering Mrs. French (Norma Varden), a rich, older woman who had become enamored of him, going so far as to make him the main beneficiary of her will.
In real life, Elsa Lanchester (Miss Plimsoll) was Laughton's (Sir Wilfrid) wife and you can see their natural chemistry accentuates the wonderful comic performance between the two.
This was Tyrone Power's final finished movie.
Spoiler Alert for anyone who hasn't seen the film yet! Marlene Dietrich did not receive a nomination but many of her fans believe she deserved one for her dual role as Christine Helm and the Cockney woman. It's not until near the end of the film that Sir Wilfrid and the audience learn Christine was the mysterious woman. ¹
Academy Awards
- Best Actor in a Leading Role (Charles Laughton)
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Elsa Lanchester)
- Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Picture, and Best Sound
Trailer:Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
My Favorite Quote:
A most clever, erotic "tete-a-tete" of sexual inuendo begins their first encounter:Leonard Vole ............Tyrone Power
"What are you looking for? "
Christine Vole ............Marlene Dietrich
"My accordion. "
Leonard Vole ............Tyrone Power
"I think I've found it. "
Christine Vole ............Marlene Dietrich
"Step on it again. It's still breathing."
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