Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommy Jarvis
Dial M for Murder 1954 ★★★★
On the heels of strangers on a train, this was one of his first thriller masterpieces. Which raises an interesting question: Was SOAT actually his first masterpiece or did something come before that that you would rate just as high?
This movie is brilliant. It takes its time on setting up the main characters and the premise. The story where the main character talks Halliday into killing his wife is an excellent piece of acting and screenwriting. The actual kill scene still holds up with a perfectly laid plan going to waste. And that trial montage... that's some scary shit, man.
Not to mention the great performance of the actor playing the cop. In a very credible way, he shows that he is on to the trick being played and that he will prove it. Showing a type of theatrical tension later perfected in Columbo. Or the writing on how they set a JB Fletcher-like trick to capture Toni. Seeing it spring is cinema at it's finest. Being sucked in, kind of knowing what's coming and still being on the edge of your seat rooting for the heroes.
And your cameo is even more subtle than in your other movies. Hat off to you, mister Hitchcock.
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Good question. I don't like presenting the word masterpiece; makes me really uncomfortable. lol
Dial M was my favorite Hitch. I don't really put any above it. Were any better before Dial M? You know, my second Hitch fav is a film I'd rather rewatch than Dial M, which is Rope (1948). I'd put Rope on the top shelf with Dial M.
Some might argue for The 39 Steps (1935), The Lady Vanishes (1938), maybe Suspicion (1941) and Shadow of a Doubt (1943). I suppose Rebecca (1940) is not a thriller, but some might say his first masterpiece, won Oscar for best picture.
I asked a buddy of mine, and he thinks 39 steps is full step better than Dial M, no pun intended.