While "The Witness Chair" is a bit static, I liked the film....which is in sharp contrast to what Ann Harding apparently thought about the picture. According to IMDb, she tried to get out of the picture midway through production because she hated the script...which is odd since she'd already apparently read and approved it.
When the story begins, you see Paula (Harding) sneaking out of her office building and it seems obvious she's done something. A few hours later, the cleaning crew discover a corpse...it's Mr. Whitaker (Douglas Dumbrille). At first it looks like a suicide and he signed a note saying he'd embezzled $75,000. However, the cops soon realize that it couldn't have been a suicide and the man exonerated by the suicide note, Mr. Trent (Walter Abel) is arrested for murder...though there really isn't good evidence he's done the crime.
The rest of the story is set in the courtroom and follows the case of Mr. Trent. I would say more but don't want to spoil and of the surprises...and there are a few.
It's funny. While the film doesn't have any action and involves a lot of talking, it's a good picture...particularly because of the writing. So, I have no idea what was going on with Harding and her initial refusal to finish the movie....perhaps there was actually something else going on at the time. All I know is that the picture kept my interest and was enjoyable.
