Hitch #41 - Dial M for Murder (1954)

According to my records it’s been over 20 years since I last saw Dial M for Murder, although I suspect that can’t be true. Partly because I can’t imagine going that long without watching it, and partly because I was so familar with it.

Dial M for Murder poster

Back in 2002 I rated it just a 7 - maybe I was too distracted by its film-of-a-play-ness - but watching it now, I can’t imagine it working any other way - and it’s a vast improvement on Hitch’s other film-of-a-play attempts - the woeful Juno and the Paycock and the vastly over-rated Rope.

The set is great (even though Hazel didn’t like Tony and Margot’s flat) and the premise is beautifully delivered, but most of all its the cast. Grace Kelly is exceptional, looking so gorgeous and domestic at the beginning; so gorgeous and bemused while Tony is playing her; and so gorgeous and bedraggled after a spell on death row. Ray Milland is superb as the villain and John Williams and Anthony Dawson give them wonderful support. Robert Cummings is a little weak perhaps - missing the charm he has with Priscilla Lane in Saboteur - but then maybe he didn’t need to be anything more than he is - and I do like that he’d worked everything out perfectly!

Grace Kelly in Dial M for Murder

Many years ago when the NFT were having a season of 3D films I went and saw Dial M for Murder and am glad that I did, but it really didn’t need the 3D and it wasn’t missed and I guess rather brilliantly Hitch didn’t make it look like a 3D film when you watch it in 2D.

• Source: DVD
• Rating: 8/10
• Hitchcock Zone: Dial M for Murder (1954)