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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).

Academy Awards 1957 --- Ceremony Number 30 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorCharles LaughtonNominated
Best Supporting ActressElsa LanchesterNominated
Best DirectorBilly WilderNominated
Best Film EditingDaniel MandellNominated
Best PictureArthur Hornblow, Jr., ProducerNominated
See More Oscar Winners

Witness for the Prosecution BlogHub Articles:

Tyrone Power heads the cast in “Witness for the Prosecution”

By Stephen Reginald on May 22, 2023 From Classic Movie Man

Tyrone 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 Garden

DOUBLE 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 do... Read full article

Witness for the Prosecution (1982 TVM)

By John Grant on Nov 16, 2016 From Noirish

UK, 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, Har... Read full article

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

By Beatrice on Jun 10, 2016 From Flickers in Time

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 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 Aficionados

First 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 exec... Read full article

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Witness for the Prosecution Quotes:

[Miss Plimsoll discovers cigars hidden in Sir Wilfrid's cane]
Sir Wilfrid: You could be jailed for that. You had no search warrant for my cane!
Miss Plimsoll: Teeny weeny flight of steps, Sir Wilfrid, we mustn't forget we've had a teeny weeny heart attack.
Leonard Vole: But this is England, where I thought you never arrest, let alone convict, people for crimes they have not committed.
Sir Wilfrid: We try not to make a habit of it.
Sir Wilfrid: I am constantly surprised that women's hats do not provoke more murders.
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.
See More Quotes from Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for the Prosecution Facts
This was the final film for Tyrone Power, who died shortly after completion.
In order to show just one of Marlene Dietrich's famous legs, an entire scene was written that required 145 extras, 38 stunt men and $90,000.
The Tyrone Power character's last name is Vole. Aside from what has already been mentioned, the word "voleur" in French translates in English to burglar, embezzler, housebreaker, intruder, peculator, robber, and thief. Many of which could apply to Power's character.
The press book, reviews and various articles about the production stated that the principal cast members themselves did not even know the ending of the film until the last day of shooting, when the final ten pages of the script were presented to them.
Charles Laughton modeled his characterization of "Sir Wilfrid Robarts," including the use of a monocle to intimidate Leonard, on Florance Guedella, an Englishman who was both Laughton's and Marlene Dietrich's lawyer and who was famous for twirling his monocle while cross-examining witnesses.
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