Eye Witness

Robert Montgomery's final film performance was in 1950's Eye Witness (aka Your Witness). The DVD copy I have looks like a bootleg copy of a bootleg, run across the floor of a taxi cab. Ahh, vintage . . . better than nothing.

Eye Witness is the story of Sam Baxter, who is accused of murder across the ocean in England. Enter Adam Hayward (Montgomery), Sam's friend. You see, Sam saved Col. Hayward's life in the war. Adam happens to be a big-time defense attorney in NYC. After some prodding from his secretary, Adam flys across the big pond to see how he can help. Adam soon discovers that there's a female that witnessed the murder who could clear Sam. I'm not saying any more.

I need to get this off of my chest - it isn't that good of a story - it lacks oomph. The other thing I want to state for the record - where in the world did the annoying opening credits music come from? If I were more tech savvy I'd rip a track for you guys to hear it. The best way I can describe it is big band transitioning into 1950's *beebop jazz* (is that even a music genre?). I was expecting something more "Perry Mason-ish" since someone was facing a possible death sentence for murder. Whatever, let's move on.

There's a possible love interest at the end of the film between Adam & one of the characters. I really would have liked to have seen Eye Witness 2, just to see Adam Hayward stay in England, become a barrister, and don the white-haired wig.

Eye Witness does have its amusing moments. If you've ever seen National Lampoon's European Vacation, you'll relate. In Vacation, there's a scene where the Grizwold family travels to London. At the hotel, the desk jockey starts talking in his strong, slangy, fast British accent. Clark whips out his pocket translator and his wife immediately notes, "Clark...they're speaking English." In Eye Witness there's times where the Brits start speaking...yes, English. On the flip side, Bob's character does the same, with good ol' American slang.

I believe I read somewhere that Eye Witness is public domain, but I've yet to confirm.