Review of Dial M for Murder (1954) by James W — 14 Feb 2010

Dial M for Murder stars Ray Milland as ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice, who, when learning of his wifes (Grace Kelly) infidelity, he hatches a plan to murder her, but when the scheme goes south, he improvises a brilliant plan B.

1954 was a good year for Grace Kelly. She won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Country Girl and played in Hitchcocks Rear Window along Jimmy Stewart and Dial M for Murder. I loved Rear Window, but this movie not so much. It takes place and is shot in only one room (I.E. stage) and wasn't as dramatic or tense at all. The acting was good, but not memorable. It didn't live up to the Hitchcock legacy, but is still a good movie. The plot is very twisty and very well played out and the end you could almost see coming. In short, It was a mediocre film, done by a more then talented man. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it.