The Witness - 1953. This is an episode from the 130 episode run of, FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE. The series ran from 1952 to 1956.
Dick Powell is a slick lawyer whose client, Charles Bronson, is up on murder and robbery charges. He denies the charges.
There had been a payroll robbery where a guard was killed. Bronson had been grabbed up by the law when he deposited some of the cash in his bank. The serial numbers matched ones from the robbery.
Bronson claims that the cash was given to him be a woman. The police look for this woman but find no one matching Bronson's description. Powell hires several P.I types to keep looking while he delays the court case. The woman, Marion Carr, is found and convinced to give evidence for Bronson.
Once in court, Powell runs circles around the D.A. James Millican, and soon has the jury eating out of his hand. The real gunman and robber, Strother Martin, is exposed, and Bronson is set free.
A time-waster that is OK, but nothing special.
Of note though, is the director, Robert Aldrich. His future film work would include, THE BIG KNIFE, KISS ME DEADLY, VERA CRUZ, ATTACK, HUSH...HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE, THE DIRTY DOZEN, THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX, THE LONGEST YARD, EMPEROR OF THE NORTH POLE and THE CHOIRBOYS.
The d of p was long time film noir lenseman, George Diskant. His work included, RIFFRAFF, THEY LIVE BY NIGHT, PORT OF NEW YORK, BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN, ON DANGEROUS GROUND, THE NARROW MARGIN, BEWARE MY LOVELY and THE RACKET. (b/w)
Dick Powell is a slick lawyer whose client, Charles Bronson, is up on murder and robbery charges. He denies the charges.
There had been a payroll robbery where a guard was killed. Bronson had been grabbed up by the law when he deposited some of the cash in his bank. The serial numbers matched ones from the robbery.
Bronson claims that the cash was given to him be a woman. The police look for this woman but find no one matching Bronson's description. Powell hires several P.I types to keep looking while he delays the court case. The woman, Marion Carr, is found and convinced to give evidence for Bronson.
Once in court, Powell runs circles around the D.A. James Millican, and soon has the jury eating out of his hand. The real gunman and robber, Strother Martin, is exposed, and Bronson is set free.
A time-waster that is OK, but nothing special.
Of note though, is the director, Robert Aldrich. His future film work would include, THE BIG KNIFE, KISS ME DEADLY, VERA CRUZ, ATTACK, HUSH...HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE, THE DIRTY DOZEN, THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX, THE LONGEST YARD, EMPEROR OF THE NORTH POLE and THE CHOIRBOYS.
The d of p was long time film noir lenseman, George Diskant. His work included, RIFFRAFF, THEY LIVE BY NIGHT, PORT OF NEW YORK, BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN, ON DANGEROUS GROUND, THE NARROW MARGIN, BEWARE MY LOVELY and THE RACKET. (b/w)
