Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Witness for the Prosecution
Directed by Billy Wilder
Written by Billy Wilder and Harry Kurnitz; adapted by Lawrence B. Marcus from the play by Agatha Christie
1957/USA
Edward Small Productions/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant

Sir Wilfrid: If you were a woman, Miss Plimsoll, I would strike you.

I don’t know how this missed the 1001 Movies List.  Maybe there were too many Billy Wilder films on it already?

Irascible barrister Sir Wilfred Roberts (Charles Laughton) has just been just been released (make that expelled) from the hospital following a heart attack.  He is under strict instructions to refrain from tobacco and alcohol, get plenty of bed rest, and avoid too much excitement.  Nurse Miss Plimsol (Elsa Lanchester) has come home with him to enforce the doctor’s orders, mostly with heaping helpings of baby talk.  Sir Wilfred makes it his mission to foil her at every turn.

“Too much excitement” definitely includes working on his beloved criminal cases. Then a friend comes in with Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power). It looks like Vole is the prime suspect in the murder of the middle-aged woman who was his friend. Things look very bad for the unemployed Vole who was with the victim that evening. His only alibi is his wife. At first, Sir Wilfred refers him to one of his firms other lawyers. After questioning the man and deciding he is innocent, Sir Wilfred can’t resist the challenge. When it is discovered that the victim died having left Vole most of her estate in a will written only a week before the murder, he is arrested. Then Christine (Marlene Dietrich) comes in and gives a most half-hearted and unconvincing alibi.

The story is full of Agatha Christie’s clever use of twists and surprises and I will not explore it further.  With Una O’Connor as the victim’s suspicious maid.

The cast is like old home week from the 30’s and 40’s and could not possibly be any better.  My favorite part of the film is the banter between Laughton and Lanchester.  This film was my introduction to Tyrone Power way back when.  He is very good and very far from his swashbuckling origins.  Dietrich is also perfect.  I could go on and on about my love of this totally entertaining romp.  Highly recommended.

Witness for the Prosecution was nominated for Academy Awards in the categories of:  Best Picture; Best Actor (Laughton); Best Supporting Actress (Lanchester); Best Director; Best Sound, Recording; and Best Film Editing.

Trailer