This is Hitchcock's first solo film without his former partner Sidney Bernstain. Before their partnership dissolved in 1953, they had been working on a film called The Bramble Bush. When they broke up, however, Hitchcock requested permission to start a new film, Dial M for Murder. Warner Bros. consented to allow him to begin his own film and scrap the previous project.
The film is based on a Broadway play. In fact, John Williams and Anthony Dawson, who played Hubbard and Swann, performed those roles in the theatrical version as well as the film. The stage influence in the movie is apparent in it's dramatic plot structure. While visually not complex, the diversity of characters and complex, forward-driven plot conform to more theatrical standards. Hitchcock himself had no stage experience, so he was not able to translate the plot of the play into cinema very well. The structure of the film remains somewhat abstract and dramatic for the silver screen.
Perhaps this disconnect between stage and movie-house contributed to the film's unsuccessful viewings. It was not the instant success for which Hitchcock was known up to that point. Despite the lack of enthusiasm, the film grossed well and has made the list of the top 500 films of the 20th century. People appreciated it for what it was: a murder mystery drama.
Classic Hitchcock films share the elements of suspense, mystery, and crime. Dial M for Murder encompasses all of those familiar Hitchcock trends in its plot of the perfect planned murder gone awry. As is his habit, Hitchcock doesn't allow his protagonist, who generally doubles as the villain of his or her own story, to go without vindication in the end. They will be punished. This time, Tony is convicted for his true crime in plotting to have his wife murdered, so justice is served despite the glorification of the acts of crime leading up to the punishment. Another signature of Hitchcock's is to cameo in every one of his films. He does this about fifteen minutes into Dial M for Murder. While note his most groundbreaking or adventurous film, this one launched his solo career and led to many classic films which have endured the test of time.
