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:
8.1/10   27,147 votes
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Up 13% 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
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(16 articles)
Rotterdam film festival - a blueprint of the future
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 8 February 2010, 7:00 AM, PST)

The HeyUGuys IMDb250 Project
 (From HeyUGuys. 20 January 2010, 10:00 PM, PST)

User Reviews:
What does Hitchcock know about women? 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
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder (USA) (complete title)
Dial 'M' for Murder (USA) (alternative spelling)
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) | Sweden:15 | 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:
Alfred Hitchcock arranged to have Grace Kelly dressed in bright colors at the start of the film and made them progressively darker as time goes on. more
Goofs:
Continuity: At 78:47, John Williams lights his pipe. At 80:08 he puts it in his pocket, careless that it is still lighted. 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:
Spoofed in La Legende~Dali (2009) more

FAQ

Is this movie based on a novel?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
If Tony wrote the blackmail notes, wouldn't Margot have recognized the handwriting?
more
21 out of 38 people found the following review useful.
What does Hitchcock know about women?, 17 September 2007
10/10
Author: JFHunt from Manhattan

Hitchcock brings the successful play, Dial M for Murder by Frederick Knott, to life in a shocking new way. Adapted by use of the amazing 3D technology.

This movie is unique for Hitchcock in many ways. It is shot entirely in one room, yet there is never a moment of claustrophobia. As for many movies in the early 50's, it was shot in 3D. And you will at times notice scenes that play into that, but are done with the greatest of expertise. Also he chose not to change the play at all, but rather ride it out.

As the aging tennis pro or the jealous husband, Ray Milland is solid all the way through. And what can I say about Grace Kelly. Behind only Ingrid Bergman and Donna Reed, as the most beautiful and talented actresses of all time. She never fails to impress. She can be quite a darling and at the same time a spectacular bitch.

Probably my favorite Hitchcock film, since it is the first one I saw. I was introduced to him very early in life at the age of 7, by my wicked older sister. For years Psycho haunted me and Vertigo confused. But I do thank her for Notorious and Rear Window. Dial M for and North by Northwest.

Seems to me that Hitch was not the most attractive guy, yet like all of us he favored beautiful women. Especially blonde's. This leads me to the question of, what does a guy like Hitchcock know about women? Maybe simply, how to kill them.

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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Dial M for Murder (1954)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Does anybody feel his mind is not adequate for this movie? patrick8828
Did anyone else notice..? c7c7c7r
3-D? fireseeker4him
not at all surprized about the key MADDOXRJM
Am I the only one... jmobleyj
what was the watch in the movie? mully5597
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