Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Director:

Billy Wilder

Writers:

Agatha Christie (play)
Larry Marcus (adaptation)
(more)

Release Date:

6 February 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Once in 50 years suspense like this!

Plot:

Agatha Christie tale of a man on trial for murder: a trial featuring surprise after surprise.

Plot Keywords:

Widow | Murder | Trial | Alibi | Letter

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Tyrone Power	...	Leonard Vole
Marlene Dietrich	...	Christine Vole
Charles Laughton	...	Sir Wilfrid Robarts
Elsa Lanchester	...	Miss Plimsoll
John Williams	...	Brogan-Moore
Henry Daniell	...	Mayhew
Ian Wolfe	...	Carter
Torin Thatcher	...	Mr. Myers
Norma Varden	...	Emily Jane French
Una O'Connor	...	Janet McKenzie
Francis Compton	...	Judge
Philip Tonge	...	Inspector Hearne
Ruta Lee	...	Diana
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Patrick Aherne	...	Court officer (uncredited)
Marjorie Eaton	...	Miss O'Brien (uncredited)
Franklyn Farnum	...	Barrister (uncredited)
Bess Flowers	...	Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Colin Kenny	...	Juror (uncredited)
Ottola Nesmith	...	Miss Johnson (uncredited)
William H. O'Brien	...	Barrister (uncredited)
J. Pat O'Malley	...	Shorts salesman (uncredited)
George Pelling	...	Bit part (uncredited)
Jack Raine	...	Doctor (uncredited)
Molly Roden	...	Miss McHugh (uncredited)
Jeffrey Sayre	...	Clerk at Old Bailey (uncredited)
Norbert Schiller	...	Spotlight operator in German cafe (uncredited)
Bert Stevens	...	Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Ben Wright	...	Barrister Reading Charges (uncredited)

Directed by
Billy Wilder

Writing credits
Agatha Christie		(play)
Larry Marcus		(adaptation)
Billy Wilder		(screenplay) and
Harry Kurnitz		(screenplay)

Produced by
Arthur Hornblow Jr.	....	producer
Edward Small	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Matty Malneck		(musical score by)

Cinematography by
Russell Harlan		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Daniel Mandell

Art Direction by
Alexandre Trauner

Set Decoration by
Howard Bristol

Makeup Department
Nellie Manley	....	hair stylist
Gustaf Norin	....	makeup artist
Helene Parrish	....	hair stylist
Harry Ray	....	makeup artist
Ray Sebastian	....	makeup artist
Wally Westmore	....	makeup artist: Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)

Production Management
Ben Hersh	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Emmett Emerson	....	assistant director

Art Department
Stanley Detlie	....	property master

Sound Department
Fred Lau	....	sound

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Edith Head	....	costumes: Miss Dietrich
Joe King	....	costumer (as Joseph King)

Music Department
Ernest Gold	....	conductor
Leonid Raab	....	music arranger

Other crew
John Franco	....	script supervisor
Doane Harrison	....	production associate
Edward Small	....	presenter

Production Companies

• Edward Small Productions (as Theme Pictures) (uncredited)

Distributors

• United Artists (1957) (USA) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1962) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1999) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• United Artists Films (1958) (Finland) (theatrical)
• FS Film Oy (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Yleisradio (YLE) ((1971) (1972) (2001) (2008)) (Finland) (TV)

Runtime:

116 min | Australia:111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:12 | Spain:T | Argentina:16 | Australia:G | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #18704) | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Edward Small Productions

Trivia:

While it is generally supposed that Agatha Christie chose the name Vole after the ratlike rodent of the same name, in fact the word has several other meanings also relevant to this character. In cards, a "vole" means the winning by one player of all the tricks of a game. And the expression "go the vole" can mean either to venture everything on the chance of great rewards, or to try one thing after another, usually a variety of occupations - all perfect descriptions of Christie's ingeniously named "Leonard Vole".

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When the photographer takes the pictures of Leonard Vole in the prison, he takes one from the front view and one from Voles right side. Later in the courtroom the prosecutor Mr. Myers shows these pictures to Leonard Vole in the witness stand. Now there is one from the front sight and one from his left side. It is hard to believe, that a professional photographer in a murder case would make such a serious mistake to twist the negative mirror inverted. It more looks like a mistake of the prop master.

Quotes:

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.

Movie Connections:

Featured in AFI's 10 Top 10: America's 10 Greatest Films in 10 Classic Genres (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

I May Never Go Home Anymore

Like Perry Mason? You'll love this...

I first saw this movie about 15 years ago and loved it. I just watched it on VHS and was captivated all over again. Agatha Christie's story, Billy Wilder's screenplay and direction, and the four main leads all get it right. Charles Laughton is absolutely superb, and Elsa Lanchester is a perfect foil.

Agatha Christie's story has more twists and turns than a roller coaster and this provides a strong foundation for the movie. But the actors give life to the characters. I haven't seen the 1982 version, but I'll admit to a bias for Marlene Dietrich. She and Tyrone Power pull just the right punches.

It's a mystery, of course. But a top notch one. So if you want only to dabble in the genre, this is the one to try. (If you like mysteries, it goes without saying that you must see it.) Moreover, this is one B&W movie for people who don't like B&W movies.