Hitchcock pairs with writer Frederick Knott to bring his stage play, Dial M for Murder to the big screen in this captivating and thrilling adaptation. The film features a top-tier cast, the luminous Grace Kelly, Ray Milland, Robert Cummings and John Williams.

Everyone has secrets in this engaging film. Kelly is Margot Wendice, a wealthy woman, who is married to a playboy and former tennis star, Tony Wendice (Milland). She also had/has an affair with an American mystery writer, Mark Halliday (Cummings).

Unfortunately for everyone, Tony has figured that out, has not only blackmailed his own wife, but is preparing to murder her with the assistance of an old school chum, Charles Swann (Anthony Dawson).

On the night that everything is supposed to happen, nothing goes off without a hitch. Swann ends up dead, and Tony has to stay one step ahead of everyone to make sure he doesn’t get caught, and maybe, just maybe there’s a way that he can frame up Margot and still get all of her money. He is her sole beneficiary after all.

There are twists and turns, and through it all, Chief Inspector Hubbard (Williams) isn’t as quiet and simple as some people take him for. He’s looking at everything from all the angles, and he’s almost got it figured out.

With time running out for Margo, sitting on Death Row, can Mark and the Inspector figure out what really happened, or will Tony get away scot-free?

I can see how the play would be absolutely thrilling to see on stage, and despite some small alterations, I think it works the same way on screen. All of the actors are wonderful in their performances, and Hitchcock knows how to tell his story with the camera. It’s smart, engaging, and even today, very thrilling.

Milland is so devious in this one, and both he and Cummings are able to come across as super charming while letting you know with their eyes and mannerisms that they realize there is more going on below the surface.

It’s a perfect crime, but things never go to plan. And when you come across a mystery writer whose job it is to come up with perfect crimes, and a dogged inspector determined to puzzle out the truth, who far can Tony Wendice get?

The film not only features a signature Hitchcock cameo, his trademark camerawork and great performances, it also has a beautiful score by Dimitri Tiomkin.

This one has long been a hole in my cinema watching, and I’m glad to have finally filled it. A beautifully crafted movie with tension, mystery and a cadre of fantastic actors.