Charles Laughton stars as barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts in Billy Wilder's screen version of Agatha Christie's enormously successful stage adaptation of her original story. Although the ailing attorney has been advised by his doctors to cease and desist from the practice of law, his interest is piqued when solicitor Mayhew (Henry Daniell) asks him to take the case of murderer suspect Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power). After evidence that he stood to gain financially from the victim's death comes to light, the man is indicted. Robarts, nonetheless, agrees to defend Vole, convinced as he is of his innocence. But the case becomes even more of an uphill battle when the defendant's supposedly loving wife Christine (Marlene Dietrich) decides to testify as a witness for the prosecution. Wilder expanded Christie's play, creating the role of Robarts' housekeeper Miss Plimsoll (played by Laughton's actual wife Elsa Lanchester), whose badinage with her employer provides a comic counterpoint to the film's melodrama. Bravura performances by Dietrich and Laughton fuel the entertaining courtroom drama, which also features fine work by Tyrone Power in his last screen appearance.

Excerpt: "Liar!"--Sir Wilfred Robarts (Charles Laughton)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.66
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Mono - English, French
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - Original Theatrical Trailer

Marlene Dietrich: German actress, singer
Tyrone Power: Actor, NIGHTMARE ALLEY/WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION
Charles Laughton: British Actor/Director
Elsa Lanchester: British Actress
John Williams: Actor
Henry Daniell: British actor, THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940)
Ian Wolfe: American Character Actor
Torin Thatcher: British Character Actor

Billy Wilder: Director/screenwriter/producer

Arthur Hornblow: 

Billy Wilder: Director/screenwriter/producer
Harry Kurnitz: Screenwriter
Larry Marcus: 

Matty Malneck: American Composer

Daniel Mandell: Oscar Winning Editor, mid '20s-mid '60s, THE APARTMENT

"...Wilder's wit enlivens the courtroom scenes..."