Alfred Hitchcock´s famous crime thriller ‘Dial M for Murder (1954)’ tells the story of Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) plan to kill his wife Margot (Grace Kelly) for money. Sounds very simple? I can guarantee you, it is not. A top-class chamber play whose entire duration, with a few exceptions, is set in one apartment. The whole thing becomes even more gripping as most of the action takes place in the living room, which intensifies the claustrophobic suspense. Would you have planned it the same way? And most importantly … how sharp are your scissors … ?
Dial I for Interlude
Hitchcock once said: “I did it for the money.” He was referring to ‘Dial M for Murder (1954).’ But why? The story was adapted from Frederick Knott’s stage play. When he rewrote it for the big screen, Knott stayed very closely to the original plot. Not only when it comes to the dialogues, even the “one apartment based” setting remained. For Hitchcock, the 1950s marked his most successful decade. Also in terms of creativity. He personally felt that it was a restriction to film and direct in just one room most of the time. Ironically in ‘Rear Window (1954),’ which was only released two months later, Hitchcock did the same thing. However, it was still a totally different project as he had the large back yard with several windows for cinematic freedom. This makes the very high standards clear, which Hitchcock set for himself. Nevertheless, he has succeeded in creating a gripping, nerve-wracking thriller that contains some Noir elements. Cut your phone wires and enjoy reading.
Dial A for Acting
The movie is primarily carried by Ray Milland´s portrayal of a calculating and murderous (master)mind. He shows the nuances of Tony´s cold and careful planning with such a natural approach that you almost forget that Milland is just an actor. He crawls into the role. Other great examples for his work are Fritz Lang´s ‘Ministry of Fear (1944)’ and Billy Wilder´s ‘The Lost Weekend (1945).’ Milland received an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the second one.
Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) talks to his nearly strangled wife. This shot captures the moment when the money driven villain realizes that it´s not possible to plan every detail. Will this fact break his own neck?
Curtain up for the ‘Perfect Hitchcock Blonde!’ In ‘Dial M for Murder (1954),’ Grace Kelly plays a vulnerable character who is torn between two men. It’s a pleasure to watch her wandering through the apartment as if nothing could bring her down from joy. This will change rapidly … She also showed us her talent in other Hitchcock movies like ‘Rear Window (1954)’ and ‘To Catch a Thief (1955).’ She won an Oscar as Best Actress in a Leading Role for ‘The Country Girl (1955).’ It’s a pity that she decided to become an aristocrat in Monaco instead of continuing her career.
Grace Kelly is one of the most famous woman of the 1950s. She conquered the hearts of millions with beauty, elegance, cleverness and charm. Margot Wendice, on the other hand, lacks one of these qualities. Which one is it?
Mark Halliday is a good-natured crime writer and Margot´s secret lover. It´s obvious that a man, who earns his living by creating murderous plots, is the perfect counterpart to Tony Wendice. His alter ego Robert Cummings embodies the character with a believable thirst for action and solving the mess his beloved Margot is in. Cummings has collaborated with Hitchcock earlier in the spy thriller ‘Saboteur (1942)’ and is known for playing heroic roles.
Crime novelist Mark Halliday (Robert Cummings) has interesting assumptions, which could solve the case. Will he succeed?
Chief Inspector Hubbard is a methodical and eccentric character. John Williams (not the composer ^^) is a natural gentleman, who already played Hubbard in the Broadway play of ‘Dial M for Murder (1954).’ He won a Tony Award, the theatrical Oscar, for this. Williams has shown his skills in other cinematic projects like ‘Sabrina (1954)’ and ‘Witness for the Prosecution (1957).’
Inspector Hubbard (John Williams) with the movie´s last call …
Captain Lesgate aka Charles Swann is an easy to persuade criminal and becomes a contract killer as a result. The actor who slips into this role is Anthony Dawson. He also played Count Victor Mattoni in 3 episodes of ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1957).’
Anthony Dawson as Charles Swann in ‘Dial M for Murder (1954).’ Very soon the contract killer becomes a “victim” himself …
Dial S for Storytelling
This movie has as many twists and turns as a Formula 1 race track. Nevertheless, careful pacing is present in every scene. To combine both characteristics is a trademark which Hitchcock showcased in ‘Dial M for Murder (1954).’ From two kissing lovers, to an anonymous love letter, to a money-driven plan, to a treacherous meeting, to a self-defense killing, to the prosecution of an innocent woman, to a death sentence, to an ingenious inspector and finally to a case-solving key.
We know who done it right from the start. Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) hides a key on the stairs, while talking to Margot (Grace Kelly). This movie foreshadows the crime series ‘Columbo (1971),’ where it´s a trademark that the murder is visible to the audience before the police knew anything about it.
During the story´s progression, Grace Kelly´s character gets dragged more and more into darkness. The Master of Suspense arranged to have her dressed in bright colors at the start and made them progressively darker towards the end. The scenario that an innocent person is haunted or convicted is Hitchcock´s most used thematic feature. Has anyone counted the movies ? I would say there are at least ten with this premise. ‘Dial M for Murder (1954)’ is special because it´s very rare that a woman is accused. ‘Murder! (1930)’ comes into my mind as an exception.
A horrified Margot (Grace Kelly) during her conviction. Verdict? Death penalty by hanging …
Dial C for Cinematography
Hitchcock and his crew have used interesting techniques to create a captivating atmosphere. Shooting in 3D was one of them. The beginning of the 1950s marked a peak for early three dimensional camera work. Hitchcock didn’t let the technology dictate his style, but he was curious enough to enhance key moments. Clearly the most famous 3D shot is the scene, when Margot (Grace Kelly) reaches for a pair of scissors to kill Swann (Anthony Dawson) in self defense. It was filmed in a way that Margot´s hand reaches “through the screen” towards the audience to grab it. Despite being filmed in 3D, most cinemas showed the picture in 2D by the time of its release, as the popularity of 3D begun to fade in 1954. It will take a long time until James Cameron re-kindles the flame with ‘Avatar (2009).’
The camera angle switches and suddenly Swann (Anthony Dawson) is visible behind Margot (Grace Kelly) …
… until he attacks! She reaches out for anything to save her life …
… suddenly her hand grabs a cold object! What´s that? Before she understands, Margot (Grace Kelly) rams a pair of scissors into Swann´s back.
Margot (Grace Kelly) is under shock. ‘What have I done?’
Swann (Anthony Dawson) falls down to his demise. He´s dead!
Hitchcock uses POV for important scenes, which steer the story in a certain direction. In the following shots, Tony (Ray Milland) moves cautiously behind Inspector Hubbard (John Williams) to enter the field of vision of his “meant to be dead” wife Margot (Grace Kelly). Her husband´s manipulation, and the shock as a result from previous events, will drive the desperate woman to a false statement.
Two connected Point of View shots. Hubbard (John Williams) interrogates Margot (Grace Kelly), while Tony (Ray Milland) meets her eyes to re-confirm that she must give the testimony he told her before the inspector has arrived.
Have you ever thought about watching ‘Dial M for Murder (1954)’ in Black & White? I understand that Hitchcock carefully crafted the visual elements in color to enhance the mood he intended. But it still interests me, even if some cinematic finesse might get lost.
The main cast “united” without color. While Tony (Ray Milland) pours in another one, Mark (Robert Cummings) and Margot (Grace Kelly) are having a hearty chat.
Mark (Robert Cummings) and Margot (Grace Kelly) are having a colorless look on the real killer.
Rating
Tony´s plan went south. But not Hitchcock´s intention to create a highly suspenseful crime thriller. ‘Dial M for Murder (1954)’ showcases the strong impact of excellent dialogues and first class acting. You don´t need overpriced special effects, if you have the well-crafted fundamentals. I have seen this movie many times and count it as a part of my personal Hitchcock top ten. Perhaps because no burning bridge or exploding tanker is necessary to keep a viewer glued to the screen for one hour and a half. It´s a treat to watch Ray Milland playing cat and mouse with Grace Kelly. The twenty two minute long murder plotting of Wendice and Swann is marvelous too. Masterfully crafted. There´s one thing more … the real mystery remains … why does any one want to knock off Grace Kelly?
Complete rating for ‘Dial M for Murder (1954):’
‘Dial M for Murder (1954)’ has climbed ‘Close To The Top’ on the ‘Rating Mountain:’
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