Hitchcock directed Dial M for Murder, a taut, sophisticated, chillingly sinister crime thriller starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, Anthony Dawson, and John Williams.
Grade: B
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Theatrical release poster by Bill Gold
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After I Confess (1953), which was not well received, Hitchcock planned to film “The Bramble Bush,” based on the 1948 novel by David Duncan, with partner Sidney Bernstein. However, there were problems with the script and budget, and Hitchcock and Bernstein dissolved their partnership.
Warner allowed Hitchcock to scrap the film, and begin production on Dial M for Murder.
Theatrical Origins
Both the screenplay and the stage play on which it was based were written by playwright Frederick Knott. The play premiered in 1952 on BBC TV, before being performed on stage in same year in London’s West End in June, and New York’s Broadway in October.
Originally intended to be shown in dual-strip polarized 3-D, the film played in most theatres in ordinary 2-D due to loss of interest in the 3-D process (projection was difficult and error-prone).
Actors Dawson and Williams reprise their Broadway roles as Swann-Captain Lesgate and Inspector Hubbard, respectively.
Dial M for Murder used Warner own proprietary 3-D camera rig, the All-Media Camera. After one preview on May 18 and 4 showings on May 19, a Philadelphia theater manager asked permission to drop the 3-D and show the film flat.
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 23:
The “first audiences proved to be a jury that could not only make up its mind, but could make it up in a hurry. In exhibitors’ own terms, “DIAL M” literally died. After just 4 performances on Wednesday, some long-distance calls to report complaints, the increasing skimpiness of customers—a good many of them making no bones of their dissatisfaction—permission was given to throw away the glasses and hastily switch to the 2-D version. Whereupon business at the Randolph took a turn for the better.”
Dial M for Murder marked the end of the brief flirtation with 3-D of the early 1950s. Hitchcock went on record saying: “3-D is a nine-day wonder, and I came in on the ninth day.”
The dual-strip system was used for the February 1980 revival of the film in 3D at the York Theater in San Francisco. This revival performed so well that Warner did limited national rerelease of the film in February 1982 using Chris Condon’s single-strip StereoVision 3-D system.
Warner released Dial M for Murder as 3D Blu-ray on October 9, 2012.
Critical Response:
Variety wrote: “There are a number of basic weaknesses in the set-up that keep the picture from being a good suspense show for any but the most gullible. Via the performances and several suspense tricks expected of Hitchcock, the weaknesses are glossed over to some extent but not enough to rate the film a cinch winner.”
Harrison’s Reports wrote that the film is no more than mild entertainment, despite the expert direction of Hitchcock and the competent acting. The chief weakness is that the action is slow, caused by the fact that the story unfolds almost entirely by dialogue.”
Richard L. Coe of The Washington Post: “Hitch has field day with his camera angles, darting our eyes now here, now there, doing tingling tricks with shadows and long longshots in quick contrast to fuzzed close-ups. It’s the work of a master enjoying his script.”
John McCarten of The New Yorker found that after talky opening 30 minutes, “things speed up once the murder wheels are set in motion, and eventually the piece becomes grimly diverting.”
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote that the film “offers the prolific Hitchcock little more than an opportunity to carpenter a neat piece of filmed theatre. The characters are fitted to their situations, and hardly exist in themselves (nor are they enlivened by the rather drab performances of Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings). Only John Williams’ dry, sardonic police inspector has a touch of individuality.”
Commercial Appeal:
“Dial M for Murder, a slightly off-peak Hitchcock, earned about $2.7 million in U.S. box office.
Hitchcock’s Cameo
Hitchcock’s cameo in Dial M for Murder can be seen 13 minutes into the film, in black-and-white reunion photo, sitting at banquet table among former students and faculty.
Produced, directed by Hitchcock
Screenplay by Frederick Knott, based on Dial M for Murder 1952 play
by Frederick Knott
Cinematography Robert Burks
Edited by Rudi Fehr
Music by Dimitri Tiomkin
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release dates: May 18, 1954 (Philadelphia); May 29, 1954 (US)
Running time: 105 minutes
Budget $1.4 million
Box office $6 million
