Witness for the Prosecution (1957) | |
| Director(s) | Billy Wilder |
| Producer(s) | Arthur Hornblow Jr., Edward Small (executive uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense |
| Top Topics | Based on Play, Book-Based, Courtroom, Husband Wife, Lawyers |
Featured Cast:
Witness for the Prosecution Overview:
Witness for the Prosecution (1957) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Billy Wilder and produced by Arthur Hornblow Jr. and Edward Small.
The film was based on the short story Traitor Hands written by Agatha Christie published in Flynn's Weekly and as a Play (Jan 1925 (magazine) and Dec 16, 1954 - Jun 30, 1956 (play performed at Henry Miller's Theatre, NY)).
SYNOPSIS
Wilder pumps up the pace of Agatha Christie's play and adds even more suspense in a twisty, impossible-to-predict mystery. Laughton is ready to retire his barrister's wig at his wife Lanchester's insistence when a colleague presents him with an intriguing murder case involving drifter Power and the murder of a wealthy widow. Power's only alibi is his wife, Dietrich, and she's not the witness either Power or Laughton expects. A terrific, engaging whodunit.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
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Academy Awards 1957 --- Ceremony Number 30 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Actor | Charles Laughton | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actress | Elsa Lanchester | Nominated |
| Best Director | Billy Wilder | Nominated |
| Best Film Editing | Daniel Mandell | Nominated |
| Best Picture | Arthur Hornblow, Jr., Producer | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
Tyrone Power heads the cast in “Witness for the Prosecution”
By Stephen Reginald on May 22, 2023 From Classic Movie ManTyrone Power heads the cast in “Witness for the Prosecution” Witness for the Prosecution (1957) is an American mystery thriller directed by Billy Wilder and starring Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, and Charles Laughton. The supporting cast includes Elsa Lanchester, John Williams, He... Read full article
DOUBLE BILL #13: Witness for the Prosecution (1957) and 12 Angry Men (1957)
By Carol Martinheira on Apr 12, 2018 From The Old Hollywood GardenDOUBLE BILL #13: Witness for the Prosecution (1957) and 12 Angry Men (1957) On April 12, 2018 By CarolIn Uncategorized Courtroom dramas never disappoint. They?re tense, gripping, dramatic and emotional and, more often than not, they grab you by the throat and they don?... Read full article
Witness for the Prosecution (1982 TVM)
By John Grant on Nov 16, 2016 From NoirishUK, US / 102 minutes / color / United Artists Dir: Alan Gibson Pr: Norman Rosemont Scr: John Gay Story: ?Traitor?s Hands? (1925 Flynn?s Weekly) and Witness for the Prosecution (1953 play), both by Agatha Christie, and the screenplay for Witness for the Prosecution (1957) by Billy Wilder, Harry Kurni... Read full article
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
By Beatrice on Jun 10, 2016 From Flickers in TimeWitness 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 I don’t know how this courtroom drama missed the... Read full article
Witness for the Prosecution, Happy Anniversary! A Delicious Treat Served, February 6th, 1958?
By C. S. Williams on Feb 6, 2015 From Classic Film AficionadosFirst the Appetizer: Witness for the Prosecution had its World Premiere in Los Angeles, at the Warner Beverly Hills Theater (9404 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills), on?December 17, 1957; thereby qualifying for the 1958 Academy Awards.[1] Of course film-exhibitors, circuit officials, industry execu... Read full article
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Quotes from
Sir Wilfrid: I'd better take that thermos of cocoa with me. It helps me wash down down the pills.
Miss Plimsoll: Let me see. My learned patient is not above substituting brandy for cocoa.
[opens thermos and smells]
Miss Plimsoll: Sniff, sniff. It is cocoa. So sorry.
Sir Wilfrid: If you were a woman, Miss Plimsoll, I would strike you.
Sir Wilfrid: Be prepared for hysterics and even a fainting spell. Better have smelling salts handy and a nip of brandy.
Christine Vole: I do not think that will be necessary. I never faint because I am not sure that I will fall gracefully and I never use smelling salts because they puff up the eyes. I am Christine Vole.
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Facts about
Less than two months after "Witness for the Prosecution" by Agatha Christie had a London premiere, it opened on Broadway at Henry Miller's Theater on December 16, 1953 and ran for 645 performances. Una O'Connor reprized her role in the movie.
To perfect her disguise as the "Cockney Woman", director Billy Wilder did a series of screen tests of Marlene Dietrich. The first attempt almost ended the idea when, after making up Dietrich in wigs, contact lenses, false eyelashes, false teeth and shoulder pads, Wilder commented that she looked less like a Cockney woman on screen and more like "George C. Scott in drag".
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