Witness for the Prosecution
First screened in September 1999 / Most recently screened in March 2016
Director: Billy Wilder. Cast: Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Henry Daniell, Elsa Lanchester, Norma Varden, John Williams, Ian Wolfe, Francis Compton, Philip Tonge, Una O'Connor, Torin Thatcher, Ruta Lee. Screenplay: Billy Wilder, Harry Kurnitz, and Lawrence B. Marcus (based on the play by Agatha Christie).

Twitter Capsule: Nifty gimcrack holds up. Rarely feels organically cinematic, but has sleek look and impressive pacing.

VOR:   Big hit, and lasting favorite of IMDb users. Wilder's sourness comes through. He doesn't treat this as a personal project, but it's one role model for putting over a potboiler.



Photo © 1957 United Artists/Metro Goldwyn Mayer

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B


Academy Award Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director: Billy Wilder
Best Actor: Charles Laughton
Best Supporting Actress: Elsa Lanchester
Best Film Editing: Daniel Mandell
Best Sound Recording: Gordon Sawyer

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director: Billy Wilder
Best Actress (Drama): Marlene Dietrich
Best Actor (Drama): Charles Laughton
Best Supporting Actress: Elsa Lanchester

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