Historical mystery author Olesya Lyuzna joins Silver Screen Sleuths this week to discuss the 1957 Billy Wilder-directed screen adaptation of Agatha Christie's short story and stage play of the same name, WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION. Starring Marlene Dietrich and Tyrone Power as the married Leonard and Christine Vole, who stand both together and at odds when Leonard is accused of murdering a wealthy spinster, while real-life married couple Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester play an ill barrister and his nurse, who stand both at odds and together, in their desire to defend both the guilty and innocent.

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Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Book Series
• 02:54 Exploring the 1920s
• 07:02 Historical Parallels and Reflections
• 11:00 Witness for the Prosecution: Movie Selection
• 17:02 Characterization and Pacing in Witness for the Prosecution
• 21:48 Marlene Dietrich's Commanding Presence
• 23:16 The Psychological Depth of the Movie
• 43:07 The Intriguing Characters and Their Complexity
• 44:20 The Blend of Screwball and Noir Elements

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