The Witness Chair (1936): Cast & Plot
The Witness Chair is a 1936 romantic drama directed by George Nichols Jr., starring Ann Harding as Paula Young, Douglass Dumbrille and Frank Jenks. It runs 1 hour 4 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 4m (64 min)
- Director
- George Nichols Jr.
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Witness Chair About?
The premise of The Witness Chair without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Late one night secretary Paula Young (Ann Harding) slips out of her boss Stanley Whittaker’s office, locking the door and taking the stairs to avoid the elevator operator (Frank Jenks). The next morning a cleaning lady finds Whittaker’s body, an apparent suicide, and a letter in which he claims to have embezzled $75,000. Lieutenant Poole (Moroni Olsen) doubts the story, probes the case and ultimately arrests Whittaker’s vice‑president, widower Jim Trent (Walter Abel), as the prime suspect.
The Witness Chair Themes & Keywords
· 30 tags- very dumb cop
- witnesses
- lie
- coincidence
- femme fatale
- jealousy
- fear
- woman
- man
- typewriter
- false accusation
- murder
+18 more Show fewer
- secretary
- gun
- judge
- courtroom
- police
- bribery
- false arrest
- confession
- embezzlement
- accountant
- elevator operator
- coerced confession
- trial
- businessman
- father daughter relationship
- frame up
- elopement
- title spoken by character
The Witness Chair Cast & Characters
Ann Harding leads the cast as Paula Young, with Douglass Dumbrille as Stanley Whittaker and Frank Jenks as Roy Levino. Directed by George Nichols Jr.; 24 actors are credited in all.
- Director George Nichols Jr.
- Ann Harding as Paula Young
- Douglass Dumbrille as Stanley Whittaker
- Frank Jenks as Roy Levino
-
Moroni Olsen as Lt. Poole
Also Starring in The Witness Chair
· 20 more- Walter Abel James Trent
- Paul Harvey Martin
- Frances Sage Constance Trent
- Margaret Hamilton Grace Franklin
- Mike Lally Prosecutor's Assistant
- Fred Kelsey Detective Costigan
- William Benedict Benny Ryan
- Edward LeSaint Judge McKenzie
- Jack Gargan Laughing Reporter
- William Bailey Court Bailiff
- Arthur Loft Bailiff
- Charles Arnt Mr. Henshaw
- Thomas Martin Courtroom Spectator
- George Offerman, Jr. Messenger With Tickets
- Murray Kinnell Defense Attorney Conrick
- Alan Curtis Reporter in Coutroom
Show all 24 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Barlowe Borland Mr. O'Neil
- Maxine Jennings Tillie Jones
- Hilda Vaughn Anna Yifnick
- Louise Latimer Reporter in Courtroom
More from George Nichols Jr.
More films directed by George Nichols Jr.: The Marines Fly High, High School, Man of Conquest and Army Girl.
The Witness Chair Plot Summary
What happens in The Witness Chair from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Late one night, Paula Young [Ann Harding] leaves the office of her boss, Stanley Whittaker [Douglass Dumbrille], locking the door and taking the stairs to avoid being seen by the elevator operator Roy Levino [Frank Jenks]. The next morning, the cleaning lady discovers Whittaker’s body, an apparent suicide, setting off a chain of questions about what really happened in that quiet building.
Full summary
The whole story of The Witness Chair, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Witness Chair?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
When Stanley Whittaker's body is found, what does his death initially appear to be?
Seen The Witness Chair?
Movies Like The Witness Chair
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Witness, The Witness and The Fatal Witness.
The Witness Chair FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Witness Chair, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Witness Chair?
The Witness Chair runs 1 hour 4 minutes (64 minutes).
When was The Witness Chair released?
The Witness Chair was released on April 23, 1936.
Who directed The Witness Chair?
The Witness Chair was directed by George Nichols Jr.
More films by George Nichols Jr. Who is in the cast of The Witness Chair?
The Witness Chair stars Ann Harding as Paula Young, Douglass Dumbrille as Stanley Whittaker and Frank Jenks as Roy Levino, among 24 credited actors.
Does The Witness Chair have a post-credit scene?
No. The Witness Chair has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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