TV movies tend to be associated with uninspired filler. WITNESS IN THE DARK avoids such a fate through its brisk story and strong lead performer.
The plot is a cozy, familiar sort of thriller: a thief breaks into an old woman's apartment with the intention of stealing an expensive brooch. He murders the old woman, but never finds the brooch. While making his escape, he happens to brush past the old woman's blind neighbor, the sole witness to his crime. At first, it seems the criminal will get away with the murder, but the witness is able to help the police by recalling particular details a sighted person might not notice-- and then she inherits the brooch from her neighbor. All of this inspires the thief to return to the apartment building to finish what he started.
From that description, you might expect a WAIT UNTIL DARK style cat and mouse game to ensue, but WITNESS never reaches that boiling point of suspense. Most of the movie involves the heroine's traumatized reaction to her neighbor's death as well as her collaboration with a detective in sniffing out the killer. It's pretty sedate for the most part, more about mystery-solving than thrills, but the last ten minutes did keep me on the edge of my seat once the killer returns for his prize.
The movie has a great many merits, but the finest of them all comes from its heroine. Patricia Dainton is exceptional in the lead part. She carries herself with charisma and dignity, never allowing the audience to feel sorry for her even once she's thrown into mortal danger. More than the story or atmosphere, Dainton is the prime reason to experience WITNESS IN THE DARK.
