Dial M for Murder

Dial M for Murder, motion picture about a man who hires a thug to murder his adulterous wife. Released in 1954, this film was directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on a play by Frederick Knott. The man arranges for Margot (played by Grace Kelly ) to be home alone and gives the thug access to her window. Margot defends herself against the man, killing him with a pair of scissors, and ends up being accused of murder. A wily detective enters the scene, and Margot’s nervous husband attempts to sway evidence against her and away from his own guilt.

Director

• Alfred Hitchcock

Cast

• Ray Milland (Tony Wendice)
• Grace Kelly (Margot Wendice)
• Robert Cummings (Mark Halliday)
• John Williams (Chief Inspector Hubbard)
• Anthony Dawson (Captain Swan Lesgate)
• Leo Britt (Narrator)
• Patrick Allen (Pearson)
• George Leigh (William)
• George Alderson (Detective)
• Robin Hughes (Police sergeant)
• Alfred Hitchcock (Man in photo)

Trivia

• Director Alfred Hitchcock always appears somewhere in his films. Here, it is in a reunion photograph.
• Grace Kelly’s outfits are bright and colorful in the beginning of the film and get darker as the film progresses.

Quote

• Tony (regarding his payment to the thug prior to carrying out the crime): “People don’t commit murder on credit.”