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Quiz about Agatha Christies Witness for the Prosecution
Quiz about Agatha Christies Witness for the Prosecution

Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution" Quiz


This quiz is about Agatha Christie's work 'Witness for the Prosecution' - the short story, the play, the film and the made-for-TV movie. I promise not to give away the ending or any of the plot twists.

A multiple-choice quiz by MotherGoose. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
MotherGoose
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
93,548
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
1026
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: polly656 (6/10), Hayes1953 (7/10), Guest 73 (6/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. 'Witness for the Prosecution' first appeared in 1933 as a short story in which book? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Agatha Christie adapted the short story as a play which opened in London on October 28th, 1953 (although the first performance had actually been in Nottingham a month earlier). Which of the following comments did Agatha Christie make about the stage production? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which major character appeared in the play but not in the original short story? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Who was the 'witness for the prosecution'? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In 1957, 'Witness for the Prosecution' was made into a movie. Marlene Dietrich played the title role. What was her character's name in the movie? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. The 1957 movie starred Charles Laughton as an aging barrister recovering from a heart attack. Against his doctor's advice, he decides to take on one last case. His bossy nurse, Miss Plimsoll, was played by Elsa Lanchester. What was the relationship between Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester during the making of the movie? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. 'Witness for the Prosecution', 1957, was nominated for six Academy Awards. How many did it win? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. For one of the major stars, 1957's 'Witness for the Prosecution' was to be the last film he completed before he died of a heart attack less than a year later. Which star? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Which major female character appeared in the 1957 movie but did not appear in the original short story or play? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. 'Witness for the Prosecution' was re-made as a TV-movie in 1982. By whom was the central character of Leonard Vole played? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 25 2024 : polly656: 6/10
Mar 02 2024 : Hayes1953: 7/10
Jan 29 2024 : Guest 73: 6/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. 'Witness for the Prosecution' first appeared in 1933 as a short story in which book?

Answer: The Hound of Death

'Witness for the Prosecution' first appeared in 'The Hound of Death'. In 1948 it was republished, along with five other stories from this 1933 collection, as 'Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories'.
2. Agatha Christie adapted the short story as a play which opened in London on October 28th, 1953 (although the first performance had actually been in Nottingham a month earlier). Which of the following comments did Agatha Christie make about the stage production?

Answer: Agatha Christie made all of these comments

Agatha Christie made all of these comments in her autobiography. She also said 'I had to fight desperately for my chosen end to the play. Nobody liked it, nobody wanted it, everyone said it would spoil the whole thing. Everyone ... wanted a different end, preferably one used in the original short story I had written years ago.

But a short story is not a play ... I got my end and it was successful'.
3. Which major character appeared in the play but not in the original short story?

Answer: All of these choices are correct

All of these characters were created by Agatha Christie for the play, but they did not appear in the original short story. In the story, the 'famous KC who was engaged for the defence' is not named initially, although there are two casual references to 'Sir Charles' later on. Mr Mayherne was the solicitor in the short story, but Mr Mayhew was the solicitor in the play.
4. Who was the 'witness for the prosecution'?

Answer: Romaine Vole

Romaine Vole, also known as Romaine Heilger, the accused's wife, was expected to appear for the defence but instead was the witness for the prosecution referred to in the title. Emily French was the elderly lady Leonard Vole was accused of murdering. Janet Mackenzie, the housekeeper, was also a witness for the prosecution. Read the story to find out the significance of Mrs Mogson.
5. In 1957, 'Witness for the Prosecution' was made into a movie. Marlene Dietrich played the title role. What was her character's name in the movie?

Answer: Christine Helm

In the short story, the character was named Romaine Heilger (also known as Romaine Vole). However, her name was changed to Christine Helm for the movie version to avoid confusion with the vegetable, romaine lettuce.
6. The 1957 movie starred Charles Laughton as an aging barrister recovering from a heart attack. Against his doctor's advice, he decides to take on one last case. His bossy nurse, Miss Plimsoll, was played by Elsa Lanchester. What was the relationship between Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester during the making of the movie?

Answer: They were husband and wife

Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester were husband and wife in real life. Both were nominated for Academy Awards for their roles.
7. 'Witness for the Prosecution', 1957, was nominated for six Academy Awards. How many did it win?

Answer: None

Unfortunately it did not win any, losing four times to 'Bridge on the River Kwai' and twice to 'Sayonara'. However, this movie is a cinema classic. Charles Laughton was nominated for Best Actor and Elsa Lanchester was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

Many people felt that Marlene Dietrich should have been nominated for Best Actress and blamed the director, Billy Wilder, for her omission from the nominations.
8. For one of the major stars, 1957's 'Witness for the Prosecution' was to be the last film he completed before he died of a heart attack less than a year later. Which star?

Answer: Tyrone Power

Tyrone Power played the role of the accused, Leonard Vole. William Holden was the first choice for Leonard but he was unavailable. Tyrone Power was the second choice but he turned it down. Other actors were considered for the role but eventually Tyrone was persuaded to accept it.

After this film, he went on to play Solomon in 'Solomon and Sheba' but died of a heart attack during a duelling scene. He was replaced by Yul Brynner.
9. Which major female character appeared in the 1957 movie but did not appear in the original short story or play?

Answer: Miss Plimsoll, Sir Wilfred's nurse

Miss Plimsoll, Sir Wilfred's nurse, was a character invented by director Billy Wilder to add a comic angle and some additional suspense to the plot. The scenes where Sir Wilfred battles with, and tries to outwit, the dedicated Miss Plimsoll's efforts to prevent him working and drinking are hilarious. Sir Wilfred's precarious health also adds to the suspense - will he survive the trial? Sir Wilfred's illness was never mentioned in the original story.
10. 'Witness for the Prosecution' was re-made as a TV-movie in 1982. By whom was the central character of Leonard Vole played?

Answer: Beau Bridges

Beau Bridges played Leonard Vole, supported by Diana Rigg as his wife and Sir Ralph Richardson as his barrister. Bill Bixby, Roddy McDowall and Anthony Andrews have starred in other Agatha Christie TV-movies.
Source: Author MotherGoose

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor magpie8 before going online.
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