The twists and turns are break-neck, and fans of the genre will delight in this strange and wonderful example of the post-war film style where fate and chance are in the driver's seat. This relatively unknown noir film is the definition of a "B" picture, with little-known actors, and efficient (though somewhat absurd) plotting. Milton's wife and Larry are determined to prove Milton's innocence, but their continued investigations threaten his new life. Milton flees for the open road, and when he comes across a dead body, decides to steal the man's identity. he wakes up in Sally's apartment to find her dead, and the neighbors are pounding on the door. A few drinks too many one night, and poor Milton is in a spot. When his wife goes out of town, pal Larry (Jimmy Lloyd) seizes the chance to show Milton a good time, introducing him to the race track, and an attractive, appreciative Sally Guthrie (Helen Mowery). KEY WITNESS was screened in a beautiful 35mm print.Henpecked husband Milton Higby (John Beal) is a nice enough fellow, but he daydreams about his novelty inventions while at work, and never seems to get ahead. Ross Lederman and filmed in black and white by Philip Tannura. The cast included Trudy Marshall, mother of actress Deborah Raffin, plus Jimmy Lloyd, Wilton Graff, William Newell, Selmer Jackson, Arthur Space, Victoria Horne, Pat O'Malley, and Douglas Fowley. Reunited with Martha, Milton is quickly, miraculously cleared of the murder.but then he's accused of murdering the man he's been impersonating, and he's sentenced to die.Īll this and more in 67 minutes! I was fairly tired by the time this movie unspooled late in the evening, and it was definitely an interesting movie to watch through a slightly drowsy haze, which made an unreal plot seem even crazier. Milton and his new "father" even have success with his inventions, but eventually they lead to his true identity being uncovered. Eventually he comes across another murder victim and takes his identity, as the long-lost son of a wealthy man. Milton doesn't stick around to clear his name but hits the road. Unfortunately, while Milton is passed out after celebrating, a girl he'd just met (Helen Mowery) is shot and killed. When Martha goes out of town, Milton goes to the racetrack with friends and wins a large sum of money. His wife Martha (Barbara Read, whose name was spelled Reed in the credits) despairs of his career ever amounting to much. Milton Higby (John Beal) works as a draftsman but is a would-be inventor on the side, creating unique clocks and light switches. The constantly surprising plot twists at times elicited laughter, yet the movie was so entertaining that the audience applauded enthusiastically as the movie ended. You just never know what interesting things will turn up at Noir City, and KEY WITNESS was 67 minutes of goofball plot craziness. The "B" half of Friday's double bill at the Noir City Film Festival, following DEAD RECKONING (1947), was KEY WITNESS (1947).
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