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 is just as stylish as both 'Rear Window' and 'Psycho' were but unfortunately the storyline is just not as good as those film were, the acting is very good alongside the cinematography and that very good Hitchcock amount of atmosphere but the tension and the suspense is just not there i'm afraid and it's disappointing cause this movie had some very good things about it and some not to good things about it and it's meh. (5/10)

Retired tennis player Tony Wendice ( Ray Milland), finds out his wife, Margo( Grace Kelly) is having an affair. The movie starts with the Wendice's setting down for breakfast. Margo reads the paper, and finds out that her lover is coming over on The Queen Mary. Mark Halliday ( Robert Cummings) is from New York and writes crime novels for a living. Mark and Margo are a better match because they are around the same age and they both love each other dearly. Tony on the other hand is jealous, controlling and has his wife wrapped around his finger. Margo is very unhappy when she is around Tony and she can't wait to see Mark.Once Mark and Margo are together get together, she explains to Mark she has burnt all his love letters, except for one. She explains that one was stolen, and a few weeks later she received a couple of blackmail notes. Mark examines the note and notices it was written in all caps and could have been done by anyone. Mark thinks it's time to tell Tony what is going on; but Margo says no. She thinks it is too risky and could lead to more problems.One night all seems fine and dandy when the three of them are setting down for drinks. The three of them are suppose to go out to see a play together, but Tony cancels. He tells them to go on without him, because he has business he forgot to take care of. Mark and Margo have no idea that Tony is the one who found and read the love letter. Tony is mad and decides to take matters in is own hands. While Mark and Margo are away at the theater he calls a Captain Leslet/ Charles Swan ( Anthony Dawson) about a sale of a car. Tony tells Leslet he wants to meet him that night to discuss the price/purchase of the car. When Leslet arrives tony discovers that they know each other from college, but Leslet went by Swan back in the day. Tony discovers his old school chum has a checkered past and would be perfect for the job. He talks about his wife and knows Margo is having an affair because he tailed her one day to see her lover. Swan realizes the purchase of the car was a ruse, and Tony wants him for a murder for hire. He threatens Tony by going to the police, but Tony would deny everything, plus with Swans past no one would believe him. Then the offer of money comes into play with a 100Lbs up front. The rest Tony promises would be delivered to a safe box for him to pick up afterwards. Swan decides to do it, and asks when, Tony replies tomorrow. Tony believes he will pull off the perfect murder. He tells Swan to come over to the flat while He and Mark are away at a stag party. He will be able to get in with his wife's latchkey that will be under the staircase. While at the party, Tony will call him at 12 a.m.. This will wake Margo to answer the phone. Swan is to hide behind the curtains, and once she answers the phone he is suppose to strangle her.The next night Tony and Mark are getting ready to leave for the party. Margo wants to go to a movie while they are out; but Tony throws a fit. It alarms him so much he threatens to cancel everything. Mark doesn't like his attitude toward his wife, and starts to suspect something. That night Swan shows up and gets in. He waits around awhile and notices it's after 12 a.m.. At the party Tony realizes his watch has stopped. He knows he has to make a quick phone call to the flat before Swan leaves. He tells everyone he has to call his boss and leaves. Swan gets ready to leave then the phone rings. Quickly Swan hides behind the curtain and waits for Margo to answer the phone. Once she answers Swan wraps the scarf around her neck. Margo luckily gets the upper hand and stabs him in the back with scissors. Tony who is still on the line realizes his plan has failed. He tells Margo not to do anything, he is coming home. When he meets Mark he tells him that he needs to leave because Margo isn't feeling well. Mark wants to come; but Tony says it's nothing serious. When Tony returns home he acts concerned about his wife's welfare. He tells his wife to stay in the bedroom while he calls the police. Meantime while waiting for the police he plants evidence on Swan, The letter; and burns the scarf.When the police arrive the Wendice's are questioned by Chief Inspector Hubbard( John Williams). Hubbard is suspicious anyway, but continues his questioning. Mark later arrives and is questioned, he has nothing to hide. While the three are there Hubbard has to get Tony out of the house so he tells him to check out the crowd outside. Hubbard asks Mark and Margo how much does Tony know about their affair. When Margo is taken to the police station she is found guilty for the murder of Charles Swan. The reason nobody believed her story and she is to be quickly executed. While she is in jail, Mark does some investigating with the help of Inspector Hubbard.Mark later comes to Tony and tells him to confess to the murder for hire of his wife. Tony refuses and Inspector Hubbard knows there is more to the story as each day passes. Hubbard knew that Tony wasn't telling the truth when Mark found the blue case with money. Mark and Hubbard have to prove Tony is guilty. The way they start the plan is with the latch key. A plot between Mark and Hubbard is made to see if they can catch Tony in the end.This was a great film, even though it is mostly in one setting. This marriage was doomed from the start. I kept thinking that Tony was old enough to be her father, so it had to be a marriage of convenience. The moral of the story is there is no such thing as the perfect murder, a better solution is D-I-V-O-R-C-E.

It's 1954, all the actors speak like they're in a commercial but what a brilliant story well told. Constantly having to think on his feet Ray Milland's character is slick and totally believable. The ending is extremely clever. No matter how old you are you will appreciate this movie.

Just a great movie to watch! Top notch Hitchcock! Loved the plot and loved the inspector! Especially his little mustache comb! A really good movie! I wonder if this would be titled something different in the age of smart phones. Maybe "Text M for Murder"? I also very much enjoyed the way the director made his cameo in this one! Bravo!