Witness for the Prosecution (1957) · 12 quotes
Most-quoted character in Witness for the Prosecution (1957): in 9 of its 12 quotes
Most scenes with: Miss Plimsoll (3), Leonard Vole (2)
I am constantly surprised that women's hats do not provoke more murders.
Sir Wilfrid Robarts My Lord, may I also remind my learned friend that his witness, by her own admission, has already violated so many oaths that I am surprised the Testament did not LEAP FROM HER HAND when she was sworn here today! I doubt if anything is to be gained by questioning you any further! That will be all, Frau Helm!
Shall we roll up the window, Sir Wilfrid?
Sir Wilfrid Just roll up your mouth, you talk too much. If I'd known how much you talk I'd never have come out of my coma.
I almost married a lawyer once. I was in attendance when he had his appendectomy, and we became engaged as soon as he could sit up... and then peritonitis set in and he went just like that!
Sir Wilfrid He certainly was a lucky lawyer.
Sir Wilfrid Give me a match.
Sorry, I never carried them.
Sir Wilfrid What? You said I'd like him.
But I do have a lighter.
You're quite right, Mayhew. I do like him.
But this is England, where I thought you never arrest, let alone convict, people for crimes they have not committed.
Sir Wilfrid We try not to make a habit of it.
Sir Wilfrid Be prepared for hysterics and even a fainting spell. Better have smelling salts handy and a nip of brandy.
I do not think that will be necessary. I never faint because I am not sure that I will fall gracefully and I never use smelling salts because they puff up the eyes. I am Christine Vole.
Sir Wilfrid I'd better take that thermos of cocoa with me. It helps me wash down down the pills.
Let me see. My learned patient is not above substituting brandy for cocoa. [opens thermos and smells] Sniff, sniff. It is cocoa. So sorry.
Sir Wilfrid If you were a woman, Miss Plimsoll, I would strike you.
Sir Wilfrid Mrs Vole. Or Mrs Helm; which do you prefer to be called?
It does not matter.
Sir Wilfrid Does it not? In this country, we are inclined to take a rather more serious view of marriage. However, Frau Helm, it would appear that when you first met the prisoner in Hamburg, you lied to him about your marital status?
I wanted to get out of Germany, so—
Sir Wilfrid You lied, did you not? Just yes or no, please.
Yes.
Sir Wilfrid Thank you. And subsequently, in arranging the marriage, you lied to the authorities?
I, um, did not tell the truth to the authorities.
Sir Wilfrid You lied to them?
Yes.
Sir Wilfrid And in the ceremony of marriage itself, when you swore to love and to honor and to cherish your husband, that, too, was a lie?
Yes.
Sir Wilfrid And when the police questioned you about this wretched man who believed himself married and loved, you told them—
I told them what Leonard wanted me to say.
Sir Wilfrid You told them that he was at home with you at 25 minutes past 9, and now you say that that was a lie? [beginning to chuckle now]
Yes, a lie!
Sir Wilfrid And when you said that he had accidentally cut his wrist, again, you lied? [chuckling again]
Yes!
Sir Wilfrid And now today you've told us a new story entirely! [serious now] The question is, Frau Helm, were you lying then, are you lying now, or are you not in fact a chronic and habitual LIAR?!
