[Quick Summary: A famous barrister agrees to defend the beneficiary of a murdered rich widow, but surprises await.]
THE SHORT ANSWER
Q: What's the best way to expand a short story and make it interesting?
A: Interesting characters.
THE LONG ANSWER
Let's take this short story by Agatha Christie.
The main character is the solicitor Mr. Mayherne, who does all the investigation and footwork. Sir Charles, the barrister, is only mentioned twice in passing.
However, in the script:
1) The writers brought forward the barrister (now called Sir Wilfrid) as the main character. He will do a lot of the investigation/interviewing in his office.
2) But how does the audience know he's any good at investigating?*
The writers were smart and demonstrated his wily nature in a situation BEFORE the case begins (scene below):
- Sir Wilfrid has a heart attacks and has just returned from the hospital.
- He doesn't like his new restrictions nor the nurse Miss Plimsoll.
- He is willing to bend the rules to his advantage.
- Note how the added shrewd, sneaky humor makes him interesting to follow.
THE ANTEROOM OF SIR WILFRID'S CHAMBERS (DAY)
...He proceeds toward his office, ignoring the reception line-up. In passing he whisks the flowers from Miss McHugh's hand.
SIR WILFRID: Thank you very much. Everybody back to work.
MISS McHUGH: Sir Wilfrid, please -- if you don't mind -- I would like to read a little poem which we have composed to welcome you --
She has whipped out a long sheet of legal-size paper, typewritten on both sides.
SIR WILFRID (interrupting): Very touching, Miss McHugh. You can recite it after office hours, on your own time. Now back to work.
He starts for his room, sees Miss O'Brien sobbing, her cheeks streaked with tears.
SIR WILFRID: What's the matter with you?
MISS O'BRIEN: Nothing ---- I'm just happy that you're your old self again.
SIR WILFRID (a sweeping gesture with his cane): One more manifestation of such sentimentality -- whether in poetry or prose -- and I shall instantly go back to the hospital.
MISS PLIMSOLL: Not very likely. They won't take you back. (to the staff) He wasn't really discharged, you know -- he was expelled. For conduct unbecoming a cardiac patient.
SIR WILFRID: Put these in water -- (shoving the flowers at her) Blabbermouth! (to his clerk) Come on in, Carter.
He goes on into his office, followed by Carter.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Sometimes adaptations require going beyond the short story. Know what the film needs.
Here, audiences expect a defense attorney vs. witness showdown in this genre. Thus it made sense to make Sir Wilfrid the protagonist, though he is not in the short story.
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)(6/10/57 final script)
by Billy Wilder and Harry Kurnitz
Based on the novel by Agatha Christie
*After all, UK barristers generally work in the higher (appeals) courts. This is different work than that of solicitors who focus on the lower (trial) courts
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