DramaMysteryThriller

The Fatal Witness

A playboy produces an airtight alibi when he is questioned about the murder of his wealthy aunt.

Release Date : 1945-09-15

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Republic Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Priscilla Ames

Original Name : Evelyn Ankers

Gender : Female

Character Name : Inspector William 'Bill' Trent

Original Name : Richard Fraser

Gender : Male

Character Name : John Bedford

Original Name : George Leigh

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lady Elizabeth Ferguson / Vera Cavanaugh

Original Name : Barbara Everest

Gender : Female

Character Name : Scoggins

Original Name : Barry Bernard

Gender : Male

Character Name : Sir Humphrey Mong

Original Name : Frederick Worlock

Gender : Male

Character Name : Martha, the maid

Original Name : Virginia Farmer

Gender : Female

Character Name : Sir Malcolm Hewitt

Original Name : Colin Campbell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jepson

Original Name : Crauford Kent

Gender : Male

Character Name : Gracie Hallet

Original Name : Peggy Jackson

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tillie - Pub waitress

Original Name : Elaine Lange

Gender : Male

Character Name : Gus

Original Name : Harry Cording

Gender : Male

Character Name : Randall the Tailor

Original Name : Boyd Irwin

Gender : Male

Character Name : Drunk (uncredited)

Original Name : Norman Ainsley

Gender : Male

Character Name : Police Sergeant (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank Baker

Gender : Male

Character Name : Pub Customer (uncredited)

Original Name : Ted Billings

Gender : Male

Character Name : English Bobby (uncredited)

Original Name : Bruce Carruthers

Gender : Male

Character Name : Second Coroner (uncredited)

Original Name : Cyril Delevanti

Gender : Male

Character Name : First Coroner (uncredited)

Original Name : Herbert Evans

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bit Role (uncredited)

Original Name : Bobby Hale

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dinner Guest (uncredited)

Original Name : Sam Harris

Gender : Male

Character Name : Detective Dowell (uncredited)

Original Name : Keith Hitchcock

Gender : Male

Character Name : English Bobby (uncredited)

Original Name : James Logan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bit Role (uncredited)

Original Name : Casey MacGregor

Gender : Male

Character Name : Harry (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles McNaughton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Operator (uncredited)

Original Name : John Meredith

Gender : Male

Character Name : Elsie - Vera's Maid (uncredited)

Original Name : Eva Novak

Gender : Female

Character Name : Detective (uncredited)

Original Name : Gil Perkins

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lady Mong - Dinner Guest (uncredited)

Original Name : Hilda Plowright

Gender : Female

Character Name : Bit Role (uncredited)

Original Name : Arlyn Roberts

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bit Role (uncredited

Original Name : Dorothy Stevens

Gender : Male

Character Name : Daughter (uncredited)

Original Name : Lucy Storm

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lady Hewitt - Dinner Guest (uncredited)

Original Name : Lillian Talbot

Gender : Male

Character Name : Clerk (uncredited)

Original Name : Eric Wilton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dinner Guest (uncredited)

Original Name : Florence Wix

Gender : Female

Character Name :

Original Name : Jack Perrin

Gender : Male

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2023-11-05

To be fair to director Lesley Selander, he packs quite a bit into this whodunit. We know that "Lady Elizabeth" (Barbara Everest) has lost her precious emerald brooch, and that she suspects her ne'er-do-well nephew "John" (George Leigh) of pinching it. He denies the accusation when he finds her searching his room with "Priscilla" (Evelyn Ankers) and storms out of the house. Next morning, the old bat is found dead and, naturally, "John" is prime suspect. Thing is though - he has an alibi, and it's the police who are providing it! He spent that very night face down in a cell recovering from too much Scotch. So, who did pinch the jewel and who murdered the old lady? That detection falls to Scotland Yard's finest "Trent" (Richard Fraser) who has to get to the bottom of things. It's not that simple to guess who did what to whom, but boy is there a lot of dialogue as the film progresses, taking us through quite a few unsavoury and devious characters - any one of whom might have done her in. The production is cheap and cheerful and the acting pretty static, but the story moves along well enough for an hour and though it's entirely forgettable, it's still not a bad watch.