Elsa Lanchester wins Golden Globe 1958

The 1957 film Witness for the Prosecution, based on the play by Agatha Christie, received 5 Golden Globe nominations but on February 22, 1958, at the 15th annual celebration, the amazing Elsa Lanchester walked away with the solo win for the movie that evening.

She took home the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Miss Pimsoll, private nurse to Sir Wilfrid Robarts.  Witness for the Prosecution was nominated for Best Film Drama, Best Actor - Drama for Charles Laughton, Best Actress - Drama for Marlene Dietrich, and Best Director for Billy Wilder.

Lanchester was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance but did not get the prize. 

"Arnold" released 1973

Horror-comedy movie Arnold, from director Georg Fenady, was released November 16, 1973.  It starts with the recently deceased Lord Arnold Dwellyn getting married to his fiance Karen, played by Stella Stevens.  Arnold knows his family is greedy and after his money so he sets deadly traps for them all over his estate.

It also starred Roddy McDowall and Elsa Lanchester.  It was nominated for a Saturn Award (Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror) for best horror film in 1975 but lost to The Exorcist.

"Witness for the Prosecution" released 1957

Agatha Christie's classic play Witness for the Prosecution was released into movie theaters February 6, 1957.  Billy Wilder directed the film which starred Marlene Dietrich, Tyrone Power, Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester. 

True to form, Christie's story has plot twists and surprises plenty.  Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is accused of murdering a rich widow, although he himself is married to Christine Vole (Marlene Dietrich).  Things don't look good for him until his lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) is given some damning evidence by a strange woman.

The movie was nominated for 6 Academy Awards and 5 Golden Globes.  Elsa Lanchester won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.

Laughton made an appearance at the end of the movie's trailer (below) telling people not to reveal the ending, which nobody sees coming. 

Happy birthday, Mrs. Frankenstein!

Elsa Lanchester, born October 28, 1902, was best known for her portrayal of the bride of Frankenstein.  She went on to star in "Mary Poppins", one of the most beloved movies of all time and got a Supporting Actress Golden Globe award for "Witness for the Prosecution", based on the work by Agatha Christie.  Ironically, she spoofed Christie's sleuth Jane Marple in "Murder by Death" with her role as Jessica Marbles.  This talented and versatile actress died in December 1986.