Witness many twists in ‘Prosecution’
From Oct. 31, 2008 WEEKENDER
Noticing “Witness for the Prosecution” was being replayed on Turner Classic Movies recently, I decided after several years to give this 1957 Billy Wilder courtroom drama another look.
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First, it boasts great star power. You have Tyrone Power in a different kind of role for him, Marlene Dietrich at her finest, Charles Laughton, just superb as the defense attorney, and a rather irritating Elsa Lanchester, the former “Bride of Frankenstein.”
The plot is simple. Power plays a man who drifts from job to job, although he certainly looks more sophisticated. He sees an older woman, (played by Norma Varden) undecided on whether to buy an elaborate hat.
He sticks his head in the store doorway and suggests it looks wonderful on her. He sees her later at the movies, they strike up a friendship and he visits her on occasion. After one such visit, she is found brutally murdered. He swears he is innocent, got home before the deed took place and his wife, played by Dietrich in classic form, will back him up.
Laughton is made for the part of the venerable defense attorney, just out of the hospital after a heart attack, but longing to enjoy a cigar. But yapping at his heals is Lanchester, playing his nurse, demanding he take it easy, use a chair lift and above all, smokes NO CIGARS.
The Laughton character is intrigued by the whole case, especially after he performs the monocle test on Powers. While questioning the Powers character, Laughton directs his monocle to shine in Powers’ eyes. By his responses, Laughton can determine whether his client is being truthful.
But nothing about this film can be taken as gospel. Is Powers’ character innocent or is he a master of deceit? Dietrich plays the wife who met her husband after the war in Germany. He marries her so she can leave that country. But is she really looking out for her husband? Does she believe him innocent? Heck, are the two even legally married?
The film was based on a stage play written by famous British mystery writer Agatha Christie. It was first made into a movie for British television in 1949, then American TV in 1982.
Laughton and Lanchester were married in real life. Powers, while still youthful looking, would die the next year.
I won’t go further into the plot, so as not to spoil it for those who haven’t seen it. An announcer during closing credits asks you not to reveal the ending to those who haven’t yet visited the theater to see the film.
Even the cast was kept in the dark on how it would end!
But the cast and story are first rate, brought to you by Wilder, who also gave you such other pioneering films as “Sunset Boulevard,” “Some Like it Hot” and “The Apartment.”
If you’ve seen the film, see it again, this time more for the acting than the story line. It works on many levels.
Read more Viper reviews at videoviper.blogspot.com. E-mail Lebzelter at bobleb@starbeacon.com.
WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION Directed by Billy Wilder Written by Agatha Christie and Larry Marcus Runtime: 116 minutes Not rated but suitable for most of the family 3 ½ stars out of 4
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