DIAL M FOR MURDER (1954) Discussion Group
Added 2026-02-15 19:49:05 +0000 UTC
Comments
In Lifeboat, when William Bendix reads a newspaper, Hitch is featured as before and after photos in a newspaper ad for a dietary supplement called Reduco. Otherwise, he would have had to drift by the lifeboat in some ridiculous way, so this was a practical solution to that limitation. In real life, he had reduced his weight drastically in the months prior to filming, so the before and after results were legit, and a point of pride. He was only in seven (by my count) of his 23 British films before he moved to the US, so not in all of his films. (Some fans identify him in a few additional films, but I'm skeptical on those.) But his cameo (or a prologue appearance in one case)) was included in all 30 films after his move to the US.
Alan Jones
2026-02-16 21:47:41 +0000 UTCHitch's regular film cameo is ~13 mins in sitting at the table in the reunion photograph (and I think the only time he's not actually "on screen" but only on screen as a photo). Due to the 3D effect (the 3d camera setups couldn't get the closeups Hitch wanted), Hitch had a giant phone and fake finger made for the dialing scene with the blood red "M" on the dial. Hitch posing with the giant phone: https://www.artofthetitle.com/assets/sm/upload/5y/so/60/lq/dmfm_hitchcock.jpg?k=3dfb740986
BullydogBear
2026-02-16 19:34:18 +0000 UTCThe 1950's and early 1960's were primetime for the best Hitchcock films. Starting with some pretty good films, Stage Fright (1950, which I would grade B+), Strangers on a Train (1951, A+) I Confess (1953, B-). The next 11 films are mostly off the top end of the scale, starting with 3 top-notch films starring Grace Kelly, Dial M for Murder (1954) Rear Window (1954) To Catch a Thief (1955) Then the next 8 employ the services of Hitchcock's best composer, Bernard Herrmann. Not all of them are regarded as superior grade Hitchcock, but most of them are, and all are well worth watching: The Trouble with Harry (1955, a dark comedy which I adore, but is considered a lesser effort) The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), costarring Doris Day, and wildly popular The Wrong Man (1956), the only Hitchcock appearance by Henry Fonda, and based on a true story, but again, generally rated in a lesser group. Vertigo (1958), often cited as Hitchcock's best. North by Northwest (1959), the most lavish and epic of Hitchcock's "wrong man" films. Psycho (1960), which uncharacteristically carries Hitch into the horror genre. Not typical, but wildly popular. The Birds (1963, which does not have a conventional music score, but Herrmann advised on the bird sound effects, applying musical compositional principles to the soundscape). Again, atypically horror, but very popular. Marnie (1964), a step down, I think, but still A-level filmmaking. Some oddball elements detract, but the story is intriguing. These were followed by 2 films generally less well regarded Torn Curtain (1966) watchable, but definitely a lesser effort) Topaz ((1969), my candidate for most missable Hitchcock film, certainly among his late films. Then a couple of goodies to end his career: Frenzy (1972) is a full-blown thriller that is well regarded Family Plot (1976) is a serio-comic thriller which I personally enjoy very much.
Alan Jones
2026-02-16 14:47:47 +0000 UTCHey Coby. I really liked this. Hitchcock is always a great choice. I hope you have a great week.
Mark Knight
2026-02-16 04:34:48 +0000 UTCNice! Hitchcock from this period is so special. Plus , its a huge Plus he casts Grace Kelly, Carey Grant, James Stewart, Kim Novack, etc. at their absolute peak! In sheer beauty and talent! No other director ever can claim that!
Ship CB II
2026-02-16 00:35:06 +0000 UTCFollowing on from Dave's comment about sounding like a network channel... great idea.. just needs a little 15 second promo of you and Cash running to the couch and turning on the TV, a little audio maybe... Cash barking, a little nail rattle and a Coby laugh....add some flashy TCS graphics and hey presto...it could air between the countdown and movie/TV show everytime..
Terry In the UK
2026-02-15 21:45:28 +0000 UTCI’m in on that! I missed that when I first saw the post. No more skimming.
Paul Hildebrand
2026-02-15 21:23:11 +0000 UTCSomehow saying "Tonight on TCS" makes it sound like a real network channel! I'm down!
Dave Beth
2026-02-15 20:12:50 +0000 UTCCaught this one recently in 3D (its originally intended format) and it makes certain shots, namely of inanimate objects, make more sense than the “flat” version, but any one of the two is fantastic! Glad you enjoyed it. It’s Grace Kelly’s “lesser” Hitch showing for me, although that really only speaks to her excellence in Rear Window and To Catch a Thief, since she’s still great here. Ray Milland and John Williams as the inspector steal the show for me though, fabulous work by the two of them. Looking forward to more Hitch on the channel!
Sith Master
2026-02-15 20:08:23 +0000 UTC
