Dial M for Murder (1954)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Screenplay: Frederick Knott (based on his play)
Cast: Ray Millard, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummins, John Williams 
Music: Dimitri Tiomkin
Time: 103 minutes
Bottom-line: Edge-of-the-seat suspense

Host: Welcome caller, to Dial M for Movies. What film are you going to tell the viewers about?

Caller: Today I am going to talk about Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Dial M for Murder’. Mind you, any co-incidence between the name of the film and the show is purely fictional!

Millard as Tony

Host: OK, so we are revisiting a Hitchcock film now… the 1954 film starring Ray Millard and Grace Kelly. So, why don’t you start by telling the outline of the film?

Caller: Well, this is a different Hitchcock film, an unexpected one. Usually, when we say unexpected for a Hitchcock film, we mean it in a good sense. Here, it is not so. The story is based on a play. North by Northwest takes place across 3000 miles of America, Strangers on a Train takes place in a city, and Dial M for Murder takes place entirely inside one house. What makes this film different is that while other films start off slowly and later move rapidly, this film starts off with a high level of suspense, and then slows down.

Kelly as Margot 

Host: Well, that is a new perspective of the film. Why don’t you refresh the viewers by explaining the plot?

Caller: Sure. Tony Wendice (Millard) is the husband of his rich wife Margot (Kelly). Their relationship was on the rocks when Tony concentrated more on tennis than love, but he soon gave up tennis. However, during that time, Margot had a relationship with detective story writer Mark Halliday (Cummins), and she still loves him. Tony plans on murdering his wife for her money, and because he secretly finds out about her relationship with Mark. He calls over an old acquaintance, Swann (Anthony Dawson), and blackmails him into murdering Margot the next night. Tony devises a master plan, which is told quite clearly to the audience. The most important element of the murder plan, is the house key that belongs to Margot. Swann agrees. Everything goes according to plan, until a major twist takes place on the night of the planned murder.

Cummins as Halliday (centre) and Williams as
the Inspector 

Host: Well, that’s a pretty good plot. What else did you like about the film?

Caller: Well, as I said, this film starts off well. The plan which Tony proposes is brilliant, and credit has to go to Knott. Hitchcock does extremely well to build the suspense. The night of the murder starts at about 30 minutes into the film. It begins with Margot saying that she will go out on that night, and how Tony persuades her into staying at home. Then several twists take place, and the scene goes till about 50 minutes. During these 20 minutes, you will be at the edge of your seat, gritting you teeth. Along with a chilling score, this sequence reinforces Hitchcock’s masterful talent at creating suspense.

The murder scene. Anthony Dawson as
Swann behind Grace kelly

Host:  Well yes, Hitchcock is a master of suspense. What do you think about the acting?

Caller: The acting is excellent, especially that of Millard and John Williams, who plays a police inspector. Millard, as Tony, plays a diabolical villain. He plans a brilliant murder, and when it goes wrong, he still acts like a very loving husband, but at the same time, you can sense that he wants to somehow get her killed. Such are his facial expressions and dialogues. A great villain, I must say! Also, this is one of the few Hitchcock films, where the title character is the villain.

Host: OK, that’s another aspect covered. Any other specific thing about the film you want to say?

Caller: Well, you can watch the film for the murder scene: that’s the best part. After that it mostly dialogue driven, and focuses mainly on reconstruction of the murder. However, the dialogues are first-class. Through the dialogues itself, the inspector tries to make Tony confess to his crime, and through equally interesting dialogues, Tony defends himself. So, the film may be slow, but if you liked the other famous dialogue-driven thriller Rear Window, you will like this film as well. The score is excellent in this film, especially during the murder.

The film was remade in Hindi and Tamil. In Hindi, it was called Aitbaar. In Tamil, it was called Chaavi (meaning key; after all, the key is the most important element of the story!).

Host: OK, so, what is your final verdict on this film?

Caller: Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder is a great suspense film, but not exactly a thriller. It is driven by dialogue and acting, and the twenty minutes of the murder scene are absolutely terrific. The film takes place entirely inside a house, so it doesn’t give thrills, but it certainly gives the chills! Overall, a fantastic film.

Host: Well, thank you for giving us a refreshing look at the film. We will now move on to our next caller…

My rating: 3.5/5