Cast

Synopsis

Tony had quite blatantly married Sheila for her money When it seems likely that she is in love with Max, Tony begins to plot her murder, He hires a killer – but things go wrong……..

Directors Notes

It’s the play of the film that everyone knows – or maybe we think we do! – the play that gave its name to a whole genre of West End and cinematic thrillers. Ray Milland and Grace Kelly starred in the 1954 Hitchcock film; Andrew Cruckshank played the Inspector in the original 1952 stage version. But did you know that ‘Dial M’ was performed on television? When Frederick Knott couldn’t get a theatre to accept his script, he settled for the then very much second best, of a production on the fledgling BBC. Stage success and Hitchcock’s memorable film quickly followed. (thanks to local historian and BLT member John Coles for the info). Tony Wendice is a former British tennis star (well this is the 1950s), happily married to Sheila – or so she thinks. Because Tony knows of her recently-ended affair with crime writer Max, he wants his wealthy wife dead. He devises a careful plan,and when it goes wrong we see him scheming and adapting with the skill and nerve of a brilliant games player, to turn the game to his advantage. Will he succeed ? or can the ex-boyfriend or the ‘flat footed policeman’ foil his careful plans? Well here’s a clue, watch that key carefully.