Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writers: Frederick Knott (screen play), Frederick Knott (adapted from his play)
Stars: Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings
Release Date: May 29, 1954
An ex-tennis pro carries out a plot to murder his wife. When things go wrong, he improvises a brilliant plan B.
I hadn’t seen Dial M for Murder in several years and surprised me how well it has held up.
Suspense, Hitchcock’s trademark and hits it on the head in this scene in particular. Tony having to listen to his wife’s certain murder was brilliant. I chewed my fingernails at the events happening on each side of the line, torn with disgust (on Tony’s part and trepidation with Margo). It was a great balance between the two.
My one complaint is how ridiculously stupid and naive Margo Wendice was. The beautiful Grace Kelly acts it out to a t but still annoyed me. I just wish she was a little more than a dumb blond with a pretty face. Otherwise, it was a great thriller only jogging my memory with “I remember this” only seconds before it happens. Hitchcock has a way of pulling you in, losing all track of time and place, with Dial M for Murder a thrilling film.
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