Dial M for Murder (Alfred Hitchcock)

[pro-bassoonist]

Warner-France have announced a preliminary date for Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder (Le crime était presque parfait): June 2.

Variety:

The melodramatics in Frederick Knott's legit hit, Dial M for Murder, have been transferred to the screen virtually intact, but they are not as impressive on film. Dial M remains more of a filmed play than a motion picture, unfortunately revealed as a conversation piece about murder which talks up much more suspense than it actually delivers. The 3-D camera's probing eye also discloses that there's very little that's new in the Knott plotting.

Co-starring with Ray Milland are Grace Kelly, his wife and the intended murder victim, and Robert Cummings, her lover, who has a rather fruitless part in the resolution of the melodramatics.

Milland plots his wife's death, figuring on using Anthony Dawson for the actual killing while he has an alibi established elsewhere. The scheme goes awry.

There are a number of basic weaknesses in the setup 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 but not enough to rate the film a cinch winner.

(Color) Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1954. Running time: 105 MIN.

Pro-B

[bluskies]

Thanks, Pro-B! The hits just keep coming...and isn't it glorious? I hope they also turn their attention back to some of the WB classics of the 30s. Imagine some of the WB Busby Berkeley musicals in their crisp black and white on Blu-ray.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by bluskies

Thanks, Pro-B! The hits just keep coming...and isn't it glorious? I hope they also turn their attention back to some of the WB classics of the 30s. Imagine some of the WB Busby Berkeley musicals in their crisp black and white on Blu-ray.

It looks like it is going to be an interesting year, Blueskies.

Like you, I am very, very excited!!

Pro-B

[BluBonnet]

Wonder if there's any chance the blu-ray would also include the 3-D version of the film?

(This is the only one Hitchcock ever filmed in 3-D)

[Shanester]

Great news!

[Bruce Morrison]

Same question that I've asked about 'The Postman Always Rings Twice'. As this will be a Warner release, is it likely to have forced French subtitles with the original language soundtrack?

I did read somewhere that the major studios aren't likely to do this with their French releases. Apparently TF1 are the principal offenders and there are one or two other companies who use forced French subtitles in most cases as well - but hopefully, not Warner.

[manueek]

Are there any new news about this? We are in October and I don't see any Blu-Ray version for Dial M For Murder!

Oh, and does someone knows if more Hitchcock films are going to be released on Blu-Ray? Like, The Man Who Knew Too Much, or Strangers on a Train?

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by manueek

Are there any new news about this? We are in October and I don't see any Blu-Ray version for Dial M For Murder!

Well, I made the post on 10/21/2009 - the announcement is for 2010.

Pro-B