]Just one year after playing catcher "Crash" Davis inBull Durham (1988), Kevin Costner appeared in this second sports film - another baseball-themed pro-Americana film coupled with the religious themes of faith and redemption.The memory of the punishment quickly fades in and out.BackgroundWitness for the Prosecution (1957)is co-writer and director Billy Wilder""s brilliant film, with crisp dialogue, a complicated and intriguing plot, unique characters and excellent acting performances.They instantly fall in love.With a soft, velvety voice, he intimately professes his heartfelt love for her and his admiration for her ability as a thief:I love you.Previous films had only made fun of drunks and lushes (e.g.,The Thin Manseries, or W.C.Fields"" films).Its release was threatened when the alcohol industry offered to purchase the film""s negative and remove it from circulation, but then praised and supported the film following its popular release (and critical success).