''The Fatal Witness'' is a 1945 American

mystery film A mystery film is a genre of film that revolves around the solution of a problem or a crime. It focuses on the efforts of the detective, private investigator or amateur sleuth to solve the mysterious circumstances of an issue by means of clues, i ...

directed by

Lesley Selander Lesley Selander (May 26, 1900 – December 5, 1979) was an American film director of Westerns and adventure movies. His career as director, spanning 127 feature films and dozens of TV episodes, lasted from 1936 to 1968. Before that, Selander was ...

and written by Jerry Sackheim and Cleve F. Adams. The film stars

Evelyn Ankers Evelyn Felisa Ankers (August 17, 1918 – August 29, 1985) was a British-American actress who often played variations on the role of the cultured young leading lady in many American horror films during the 1940s, most notably '' The Wolf Man'' (1 ...

, Richard Fraser, George Leigh,

Barbara Everest Barbara Everest (19 June 1890 – 9 February 1968) was a British stage and film actress. She was born in Southfields, Surrey, and made her screen debut in the 1916 film ''The Man Without a Soul''. On stage she played Queen Anne in the 1935 his ...

, Barry Bernard and Frederick Worlock. The film was released on September 15, 1945, by Republic Pictures.

Plot

The wealthy Lady Elizabeth Ferguson threatens to disinherit nephew John Bedford after accusing him of stealing from her. Bedford goes to a pub, where he becomes inebriated, creates a scene and is taken to jail. The dead body of Lady Elizabeth is discovered by her ward, Priscilla Ames, who phones Scotland Yard. It doesn't take long for Inspector Trent to consider Bedford a suspect, but having been in a cell, Bedford's alibi is iron-clad. A jail guard, Scoggins, was bribed to release Bedford for one hour on the night of the murder. When he demands more money, Bedford kills him, first establishing yet another alibi. A suspicious Trent manages to persuade Priscilla to try an elaborate ruse, hiring actress Vera Cavanaugh to pretend to be Lady Elizabeth's ghost. As everyone else in the room pretends to see nothing, a terrified Bedford confesses.

Cast

as Priscilla Ames * Richard Fraser as Inspector William 'Bill' Trent *George Leigh as John Bedford *

as Lady Elizabeth Ferguson / Vera Cavanaugh *Barry Bernard as Scoggins *

Frederick Worlock Frederick Worlock (December 14, 1886 – August 1, 1973) was a British-American actor. He is known for his work in various films during the 1940s and 1950s, and as the voice of Horace in '' One Hundred and One Dalmatians'' (1961). Career On st ...

as Sir Humphrey Mong *Virginia Farmer as Martha *Colin Campbell as Sir Malcolm Hewitt *

Crauford Kent Crauford Kent (12 October 1881 – 14 May 1953) was an English character actor based in the United States. He has also been credited as Craufurd Kent

as Jepson *Peggy Jackson as Gracie Hallet *Elaine Lange as Tillie *

Harry Cording Hector William "Harry" Cording (26 April 1891 – 1 September 1954) was an English-American actor. He is perhaps best remembered for his roles in the films '' The Black Cat'' (1934) and ''The Adventures of Robin Hood'' (1938). Life and career ...

as Gus *

Boyd Irwin Boyd Irwin (12 March 1880 – 22 January 1957) was an English stage and film actor. He appeared in more than 130 films between 1915 and 1948, both silent and "talkies", including a starring role in Australian film ''For Australia'' in 1915. ...

as Randall

References

External links

* 1945 films 1940s English-language films American mystery films 1945 mystery films Republic Pictures films Films directed by Lesley Selander Films set in London American black-and-white films 1940s American films {{mystery-film-stub