Sir Wilfrid The Fox! | WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION (1957) | Movie Reaction
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
- First time watching and reacting to WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION (1957) movie.
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Intro 0:00
React 1:07
Thoughts 28:23
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Agatha Christie! You simply can't beat her.
EXACTLY! I hope you watch and react to David Suchet in the role of Hercule Poirot in a movie such as The ABC Murders. And Joan Hickson as Christie's Miss Marple in The 4:50 From Paddington or The Body In The Library.
And for another movie with plot twists galore, watch/react to The Sting.
I'll add these movies to my list. thanks for your suggestions! 😊
Sometimes I think it’s no wonder Tyrone Power died so soon after this film because he seems like he’s about to blow a gasket right there on screen. Three or four members of the supporting cast are always great to see. I treasure a photo of my father presenting Charles Laughton with a certificate from a bar association in appreciation of his portrayal of a lawyer, with Elsa Lanchester looking on.
This movie is so much fun. Marlene Dietich was excellent, and I didn't recognise her either at the train station. Twists are Agatha Christie's specialty.
Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester were married in real life, though a lot of people think it was a marriage of convenience. In any case, they were in ten movies together.
I didn't expect the plot twist when I saw the movie the first time. It's still fun to watch, though, even when you know what's going to happen.
Well, Laughton was gay and it's clear the marriage was open on both sides, whatever its reasons, but they seemed to care about each other.
When this movie was playing in theaters an announcer spoke over the closing asking the audience not to tell anyone the surprise ending.
Nice. The audience really shouldn't. Never spoil a movie for another person.
Oh!!! So happy!!! I've clicked "Like" before even starting to watch!
Me too! Hardly anyone reacts to this and it's one of my favorite movies! Thanks, Henry!
Anyone who enjoys this movie would probably also enjoy the Rumpole of the Bailey TV series. Rumpole shares some of Sir Wilfrid's DNA: a contrarian, a bit anachronistic and forever bedeviled by SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED, played by the brilliant Leo McKern and written by the equally brilliant (and real-life barrister) John Mortimer.
My mother especially loved "Rumpole" when it was broadcast on PBS. I love McKern, and will take him any way I can get him.
Tyrone Power, Charles Laughton, and Marlene (pronounced "Mahr-lane-ah") Dietrich were all known to be bisexual.
Did not know about Tyrone. Thanks.
YES. . .It WAS Marlene Dietrich at the train station! And Billy Wilder was one of the ALL-TIME great directors. Billy won THREE Oscars for the same movie in 1960. . .He won Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture for "The Apartment." And his casting of Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich and Tyrone Power in this film was perfect for each part. Love this movie! By the way, the "nurse" for Charles Laughton in this film was his wife, Elsa Lanchester. . .And she played the "Bride of Frankenstein" in that classic horror movie!
Another all-time favorite Billy Wilder movie is his comedy One, Two, Three.
I've watched this movie dozens of times and each time I look at Dietrich as she was made up, in the train station. Even knowing of course it is her, it still is hard to see that (but of course it was - putting in a "ringer" would defeat the surprise of the ending).
@@johnnehrich9601 That was my introduction to the great James Cagney!
What a great choice for a reaction. It's one of my favourites from the late 50s. And Charles Laughton was simply phenomenal in this movie.
Vole was played by Tyrone Power who was a big star in the 1940s and 50s. Unfortunately, this was his last movie as he died of a heart attack a few months later while making another movie.
Tyrone Power is, to me, one of the most interesting movie-star stories. He came from a long line of stage actors (the Powers, often named Tyrone, go back 4 or 5 generations) and wanted to be a great theater actor. But his looks and magnetism made him attractive to movie studios as a romantic or heroic leading man, and his movie contracts gave him security and public recognition but made him unavailable for other work. And effective though he was in many of his films, they weren't the kind of classic acting challenges he longed for. Witness for the Prosecution, though made near the end of his life when his stardom was winding down and he was starting to show his age (and he was only 43), actually gave him one of his best roles, with lots of layers to play.
@@DelGuy03 And he was bisexual.
I remember being surprised by the twist when seeing this for the first time.
Agatha Christie wrote this as a short story, then adapted it for the stage. When turning it into a play she added the twist at the end: Leonard's new girlfriend. (The last sentence of the story is "I knew... he was guilty!")
This addition was made for a very interesting and practical reason -- plays and movies, unlike books, have cast lists! Christie didn't want to give the wife's trick away to a theater audience, so she created a character who is listed as The Other Woman (whom an audience will assume is the injured woman who gives them the letters).
Wilder et al also expanded the role of Sir Wilfrid for Charles Laughton, adding the nurse Miss Plimsoll to be played by his wife Elsa Lanchester.
Interesting. Thanks for the fun fact! 😊
"What kind of accent is that?" made me laugh.
When I first saw this I suspected Leonard was guilty throughout, however the whole plan devised by Christine and the ending were a total surprise. 😮
This is such a lovely treasure of onscreen talents: Charles Laughton and his wife Elsa Lanchester, of course (you MUST see "The Private Life of Henry VIII" so that you can watch the two of them, briefly, again); Tyrone Power, who, when younger, was a heartthrob, a swashbuckling young blade, who does very nicely as Zorro in "Mark of Zorro", and who died too young from complications of alcoholism; Marlene Dietrich! Magnetic star, singer, icon, and inspiration for Madeline Kahn's character in "Blazing Saddles". For the supporting cast, yes, you recognized the charming, gentlemanly John Williams; and you also have, as Mayhew, Henry Daniell, who usually plays a villain (catch him in "The Philadelphia Story"); and the ubiquitous, perfect Ian Wolfe as Carter. Not forgetting the one, the only, the irreplaceable Uno O'Connor, effortlessly stealing the spotlight as Janet.
This is indeed a cast for the ages.
@@JeffGes It is!
I have often wondered if modern medical and social practices could have saved more classic actors for more classic films - simply for ME and MY desire for more and better films. For these decades since so many's passings, I continue to collect everything I can find with Una O'Connor, Henry Daniell, Lionel Atwil, George Zucco and their evil twin, Michael Gough - who at least blessed us with four Batman films, CORPSE BRIDE and SLEEPY HOLLOW. None of those are favorites for me, but I'm happy to have him on-screen even in those brief scenes. @Melenatorr - have you ever found a bad John Williams performance? Let me know... it's hard to believe in Perfection, but he seems to have stacks fo this "Perfect Role Performance" awards... (I love that quip in DIAL M where he hands Grace Kelly's handbag to his police officer who 'wears' it over his forearm, and Detective John smites him. Such a tiny line in the film, such a wonderful eye-roll...)
@@Cbcw76 I don't believe I have ever seen John Williams disappoint: he always finds something to give his character and which comes to us; and, like Ian Wolfe, he's always a welcome addition to any movie or tv show for me.
@@melenatorr Henry's reaction channel has avoided one of my biggest gripes - he seems to educate himself about at least the principal actors and understands more about the audience-theatre socio-political environments. For example, he doesn't lambast "older audiences" for not be oh-so-sophisticated as These Times may appear. This brings me back to your 'John Williams Does Not Disappoint' comment which echoes my sentiment. But I do have great bile-levels when rightsholders have shut down access to old TV and movie resources because they probably have 1 or 2 catalog folks who make guillotine-like decisions on our 'worthiness to watch' their so-called owned property. I want more, more, more... I'd love to see John Williams' own least-favorite works... or any of these folks'. I'm certain films of the '30s - '60s films have as many 'dogs' or worse yet - BORING films. (And I find "boring, forgettable" to be worst rating of a film - I remember Bad Ones; it's the vast majority, however, that don't have characters or scenes that often have been forgotten by the time I walk out into the theater's parking lot. "What was that film's name?" To me, there is no worse fate for any film or filmmaker's efforts than to be forgettable.
This was Tyrone Power's last film, he died of a heart attack whilst duelling with George Sanders in a scene on his next film 'Solomon and Sheba'. Most of the film had to be re-shot with Yul Brynner replacing Power. However he can still be seen in long shots which were considered suitable for the finished film. Also Sir Wilfrid Robards would never have been allowed to conduct the defence of Christine Vole for two reasons regarding conflict of interest - 1. He had previously represented the murder victim in a Court Case. 2. He was a witness to the crime she committed. As to your question about what we thought about the final twist, when I first saw this film over forty years ago after seeing the scene of the woman with the letters at Euston Station my mother instantly recognised that she was Christine Vole and shouted out 'That's her, that's Christine'
That's too bad. I thought Sir Wilfrid would be able to represent Christine Vole.
Oh no! The twist was so good for me because I didn't recognize Christine in her disguise. Your mother is good at seeing through disguises 🥸👈🏻
Thanks for sharing 😊
Such a great movie, loved your reaction. The full cast is amazing. Great acting and a surprise twist. What more to wish for.
Henry, thank you. Finally a great reactor has reacted to this fantastic wonderful movie!.
When I was a young man in the 80s I used to rent movies every night. I rented this one thinking it would just be another good movie from the golden age of Hollywood. But it is so incredibly good. A movie with more twists than Sixth Sense. I watched it twice in the same night and again the next day with my family and they loved it too.
For years I just assumed that another actress had provided the dialog for Marlene Dietrich in the train station scene. But, in fact, it was all her. She worked like crazy to perfect the Cockney dialect and bury her own natural German accent. Additionally everything possible was done to alter her appearance. Dark wig, dark contacts, long nails, garish makeup ( includingthe scar ), filling out her cheeks to make her face seem broader, padding her costume and losing the heels.
According to film lore, Dietrich was EXTREMELY disappointed that she did not get a best actress nomination for this role
@@ammaleslie509 The role is booby-trapped in that respect, like some others in intricate mystery movies (Janelle Monae in Glass Onion comes to mind): though deserving of recognition for acting, actually getting nominated or awarded for it kind of gives away to the world that they've done something tricky.
@@DelGuy03 Movie nominations generally don't include character names. Any nomination would be for her work in the film so would cover both performances.
The woman who played Nurse Plimsoll was married to Sir Wilfrid in real life
Yes, and that makes it easier to listen to his insults to her, or at least his character's insults.
@@johnnehrich9601 And the way she either ignores or deflects them. And then that final little shot and his reaction to it.
Great reaction. I first saw this film on TV in the 60s and I didn't see any of the twists coming. Marlene Dietrich was a remarkable actress.
Mrs. French was played by Frau Schmitt the Housekeeper in Sound of Music, and Elsa Lanchester/Una O'Connor (The Nurse and Janet McKenzie) both appeared in the Universal Monster film Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Of the Lancaster is also very entertaining as the maid in the movie ‘The Spiral Staircase.’
(The Spiral Staircase) starring Ethel Barrymore, Dorothy McGuire, George Brent, Kent Smith and Gordon Oliver was an excellent movie with superb performances. Maybe one day you will react to it. 😊 I knew that you would enjoy this and make it yet another exciting reaction.
That's a good one. McGuire should be better remembered: I first saw her in a broadcast of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", a book I re-read fairly regularly. She's wonderful there, and contrasts nicely with another mother role in "Friendly Persuasion"; and yet again as a totally different role in "The Enchanted Cottage", a delicate, eccentric production that isn't for everyone, but which I like.
There are at least three versions of this. In addition to Wilder's version here, there was a later tv (I think) version with Diana Rigg with a terrible (I think) German accent in the Marlene Dietrich role, but otherwise almost identical movie. And another one based on her original short story, not as she made it into a play. This last one was absolutely ghastly (again, in my opinion).
I remember watching the Diana Rigg version when it first came out, and remember being not impressed, though I love and adore Diana Rigg. I should dig it up and watch it again, give it another chance. I haven't seen that third one: should be an interesting watch, if nothing else.
This is one of my all time favorite films. I'm so glad you reacted to this! Thank you so much. 😊
Enjoy again... we don't stop.
Ironically, Tyrone Power (Leonard) died while filming an elaborate dueling scene in his next movie the following year. He collapsed on set after suffering a massive heart attack. ⚔️ 💔
Great film. I've enjoyed rewatching it for decades and will again. Laughton is such an oddity - I don't know why he is 'watchble' - he's absolutely horrible as Captain Blight, but his stellar performance here and in his 1954 HOBSON'S CHOICE (a greater performance that lacks an Agathie Christie tension filled mystery script) are great. RUGGLES OF RED GAP, where he plays an exiled British butler looking for work in the American West, qualifying as wagon-train cook because he knows you don't cook sheep WITH their fur on.
One thing about Christine HELM's first testimony - she never lies. She tells the truth. I don't think she perjures herself at all. And she tells the truth about the letter - she did write them, she didn't know a 'Max' and they were pure fiction.
Laughton is also great in SPARTACUS (1960)
Add "It Started With Eve" (1941) with Deanna Durbin.
There's a very interesting biography of Charles Laughton by the actor Simon Callow. He's especially insightful about acting technique of course. It does seem that Laughton was what came to be called a "method actor" before there was such a thing. He would work himself into agonies to get into the right mindset for a particular scene. And probably it didn't always work as he hoped.
Loved Mutiny on the Bounty and Ruggles of Red Gap even more.
I would add The Barretts of Wimpole Street : he is a terrifying domestic tyrant, suggesting he has an incestual attraction for his daughter the famous poetess : great acting.
Congrats on this, Henry. Despite watching this for decades, I continue to ponder, "What I just seen a perfect film?" I always think, as the credits roll, this is my favorite film. For another Christie mystery, there's 1965's TEN LITTLE INDIANS which follows along with many other mass-killings-in-claustrophic-house mysteries (a la Sherlock's ORANGE PIPS).
I have collected Torin Thatcher films, starting with the childish 1962 JACK THE GIANT KILLER, a fairly crummy-but-fun stop-action claymation-monster film with evil-imp played by Walter Burke. WITNESS is one of his larger screen-time consumers but he's always had this sharp-featured, sinister look for villainy but I can imagine him doing Basil Rathbone films - which he never did. Too bad.
I agree, but always recommend that a reactor read the novel "And Then There Were None" before watching an adaptation. I can't say why, or it would throw everything off. But I do recommend it.
According to most every trustworthy accounts, it was Dietrich ... and after many watchings, I can hear that telltale "R trouble" in that voice which is much like Dietrich's.
And the same "R trouble" as over-played for the comedic spoof of her by Madeline Kahn in Blazing Saddles.
@@johnnehrich9601 TCM has a nice little tribute to Claude Rains narrated by John Gilgud, who points out that Rains also had trouble with the letter "R". And famously, so did Kay Francis, who was sometimes called "The divine Kay Fwancis".
There's a play by JM Barrie, of Peter Pan fame. This one is a light satire, "Dear Brutus". Barrie introduces one of the characters thusly:
"There remains Lady Caroline Laney of the disdainful poise, lately from the enormously select school where they are taught to pronounce their r's as w's; nothing else seems to be taught, but for matrimonial success nothing else is necessary. Every woman who pronounces r as w will find a mate; it appeals to all that is chivalrous in man."
If you like Agatha Christie, you should definitely try the Miss Marple movies with Margret Rutherford. They are a lot of fun.
Charles Laughton and Elsa Lancaster were Married. it was a sexless Marriage as they were both Gay but they enjoyed each others company and were intellectually compatible. They were both famous for Monster/horror movies. Laughton for "Hunchback of Notre Dame" and Lancaster for "Bride of Frankenstein".
My favorite is their scene together in "Private Life of Henry VIII".
keep digging Henry!
My all time favourite! Excellent entertainment! Charles and Elsa are my fave comedy partners in any film in this but Tyrone and Marlene have full on star power 👍👍👍. Think all the good stuff was added by Wilder on a fair skeleton from Agatha Christie 🤔
I cannot wait for your reaction to And Then There Were None. Which version will you be reacting to?
The only good one is the BBC mini series from 2015.
@@haps2019 I agree but Henry has been reacting to older movies so if there was a choice I would rather emphasize it be the 1945 version or 2015. ANYTHING but the 1974 one that was god awful
It is a lovely little film, but it is ruined by Marlene's abysmal "Cockney" accent. Trust me, no Brit would be fooled by it for one second.
There is a big difference between being fooled that she was a cockney and being fooled that she was a different person than Leonard's wife. As proven by the hordes of people who have seen this movie and been taken in by her made up and speaking like her, including Brits of all regions of England.
She provided The Reason for "Christine Vole" to turn on Tyrone Power, and that's what was needed - not a convincing Cockney accent. And she only uncorked that for a very limited 2-person audience and for those few brief moments at the bar.
@@Cbcw76 And in such a train station with all the people crowded there AND the thundering exhausts of steam locos in the background, you'd probably could barely hear her.
Ha, ha! Even if the noise of the railway was positively deafening, anyone from the UK would have immediately guessed that she was from overseas. The accent was appalling. Also, she was talking to a barrister, and we are perpetually looking out for the slightest gestures and mannerisms that don't quite fit. I know in court that if I spot something irregular, my opponent (prosecution counsel) will have seen it at the same time as myself. It's just what we do. I think Billy Wilder should have dubbed that scene rather than put Marlene through the grinder with the accent. That being said, Wilder was German too, and I don't think that he ever lived in Britain. From memory, I think that he spent some time in Paris after the Nazis took power and then went straight on to the U.S.A., but I could be wrong? Anyway, like nearly all Wilder's films, this picture is very watchable and great fun. My personal favourites are "Ace in the Hole", "Double Indemnity", "Sunset Boulevard", "Some Like It Hot" and "The Apartment".
I agree that this movie is fun to watch, and I've also reacted to the other five Billy Wilder movies you mentioned. You can find those reactions on my channel 😊
Christie adapted the short story to the play, adding to it and then the movie added a little more.
Dietrich claimed it was she who played the other character, but there is some debate about whether she did.