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IMDb > Dial M for Murder (1954)
Dial M for Murder
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Dial M for Murder (1954) More at IMDbPro »

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Dial M for Murder (1954) -- An ex-tennis pro carries out a plot to murder his wife. When things go wrong, he improvises a brilliant plan B.
Dial M for Murder (1954) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Frederick Knott (screenplay)
Frederick Knott (play)
Contact:
View company contact information for Dial M for Murder on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
29 May 1954 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Kiss By Kiss...Supreme Suspense Unfurls! more
Plot:
An ex-tennis pro carries out a plot to murder his wife. When things go wrong, he improvises a brilliant plan B. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(13 articles)
SPhilip French's Screen Legend: Grace Kelly
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 12 December 2009, 4:05 PM, PST)

Grace Kelly exhibition coming in the New Year
 (From BoxWish. 8 December 2009, 7:58 AM, PST)

User Comments:
One Of Hitchcock's Best more (155 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Ray Milland ... Tony Wendice

Grace Kelly ... Margot Mary Wendice

Robert Cummings ... Mark Halliday
John Williams ... Chief Inspector Hubbard
Anthony Dawson ... Captain Lesgate - aka Charles Alexander Swann
Leo Britt ... The Storyteller
Patrick Allen ... Detective Pearson
George Leigh ... Detective Williams
George Alderson ... First Detective
Robin Hughes ... Police Sergeant
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder (USA) (complete title)
Dial 'M' for Murder (USA) (alternative spelling)
Le crime était presque parfait (Belgium: French title) (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Bei Anruf Mord (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
La llamada fatal (Argentina) (Venezuela) [es]
Alibi (Israel: Hebrew title) [iw]
Chamada para a Morte (Portugal) [pt]
Con M de muerte (Venezuela) [es]
Crim perfecte (Spain: Catalan title) [ca]
Crimen perfecto (Spain) [es]
Daiyaru emu wo mawase! (Japan) [ja]
De moord was bijna volmaakt (Belgium: Flemish title) [un]
Det perfekta brottet (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
Disque M Para Matar (Brazil) [pt]
Il delitto perfetto (Italy) [it]
La llamada fatal (Crimen perfecto) (Argentina) [es]
Slå nollan till polisen (Sweden) [sv]
Täydellinen rikos (Finland) [fi]
Telefonen ringer kl. 23 (Denmark) [da]
Tilefonisate asfaleia amesou draseos (Greece) (reissue title) [el]
U spreekt met uw moordenaar (Netherlands) [nl]
more
Runtime:
105 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Warnercolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
Canada:PG (Ontario) | Spain:T | West Germany:12 (video) (re-rated) | West Germany:16 (nf) (original rating) | South Korea:12 (DVD rating) (2004) | Brazil:16 | Canada:PG (video rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Norway:16 | USA:Approved (PCA #16708) | USA:PG (1982 re-release) | UK:PG

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
John Williams won the 1953 Tony Award (New York City) for Supporting or Features Actor in a Drama for "Dial M for Murder" as Inspector Hubbard and recreated the role in the movie version. more
Goofs:
Continuity: After Margot kills Lesgate, her handbag remains open on the table, making it easy to Tony puts in it the key which he took off the Lesgate's pocket. Then the handbag appears closed between shots. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Margot Mary Wendice: let me get you another drink. Mark, before Tony comes I ought to explain something.
Mark Halliday: Yes, I've been waiting for that.
Margot Mary Wendice: I haven't told him anything about us.
more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

How did the letter get on Swann's body?
Why dial "M"?
When did the police inspector begin to suspect who was the real murderer?
more
6 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
One Of Hitchcock's Best, 18 October 2008
9/10
Author: Lechuguilla from Dallas, Texas

Based on a stage play, the film's plot takes place mostly in one apartment, a cozy abode complete with a fire burning in the fireplace. An aging tennis pro named Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) plans his wife's murder with the help of an old acquaintance.

Wendice is charming, debonair, and intelligent, a man with great foresight who constructs his crime in meticulous detail. Half the fun of this film is watching, and listening to, this guy as he articulates his scheme with confident coolness. Ray Milland is just terrific in the role.

Naturally, complications ensue as the film's plot moves along. Not even the scheming Tony Wendice can foresee every possible contingency. And in the second half we get to watch him squirm, mentally struggle, and improvise, as his airtight plan starts to unravel.

The Frederick Knott script is heavy on dialogue, but the film is so engaging that it never seems "talky". Hitchcock's direction is fine. Color cinematography includes some clever camera angles that help break up the monotony of such an enclosed setting. Yet, the film has a claustrophobic feel that actually enhances the anxiety and tension of the situations the characters find themselves in.

Dimitri Tiomkin's elegant score fits well with the formal attire of the characters. The impression is thus conveyed that Tony and his wife are sophisticated, well off financially, and connected to society's upper crust. Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings give fine performances in support roles. And John Williams' performance is as outstanding as that of Ray Milland.

This film is not a whodunit. The story is simple and straightforward. It's more of a character study, particularly of Tony Wendice.

With a terrific story, engaging characters, excellent acting, clever photography, and credible production design, "Dial M For Murder" is thoroughly enjoyable. It is one of my three favorite Alfred Hitchcock films.

Was the above comment useful to you?
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Am I the only one... jmobleyj
Does anybody feel his mind is not adequate for this movie? yvdlhq
not at all surprized about the key MADDOXRJM
Black and White release?? lewdog2020
I've never seen it..will I love it? blondepittbull
Filming location? potato2
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