Essay Questions

Explain the title of the movie.

The title of the movie is Dial M for Murder, and it is used here to transmit the main idea of the movie as well as to show how the telephone played an important role in the plot. The whole movie centers on a murder even though it is not the one the main character planned in the beginning. The character who was supposed to be the killer is the one who eventually gets killed and so the character who ordered the kill plans to have his wife to be accused of the said murder. Tony told Swann to kill Margot after he would hear her talk with her on the telephone but because he called her later, the events did not go as planned and because of this Tony was discovered and convicted for his attempt to have his wife killed.

What could symbolize the scene when Tony’s watch stopped?

The scene at the part is a very important one because it represents the moment when Tony’s plans do not go as he intended them. Tony was supposed to call Margot while at home and the call was supposed to be the signal signaling Swann to kill Margot. Because the watch stopped, Tony called home later than he was supposed to and Margot ended up killing Swan instead. Thus, the fact that the watch stopped is used here as a symbol to suggest the idea that Tony’s time had run out and that his luck also ran out.

Why didn’t Tony divorce Margot?

When Tony found out about Margot’s affair, his first thought was not to divorce her but rather to make it such so he would get her money and also humiliate her. If he were to divorce her, he would have to admit he was being cheated on and many could have made fun of him. He would also did not get any of her money and because he was no longer working, the way he was living his life would have to change as well. Because of this, Tony planned to kill Margot, punishing her for her infidelity while also making sure he would get her money.