Editing Dial M for Murder (section)

==Production==
After ''[[I Confess (film)|I Confess]]'' (1953), Hitchcock planned to film ''The Bramble Bush'', based on the 1948 novel by [[David Duncan (writer)|David Duncan]], as a [[Transatlantic Pictures]] production, with partner [[Sidney Bernstein, Baron Bernstein|Sidney Bernstein]]. However, there were problems with the script and budget, and Hitchcock and Bernstein decided to dissolve their partnership. Warner Bros. allowed Hitchcock to scrap the film, and begin production on ''Dial M for Murder''.<ref>{{cite book|last=McGilligan|first=Patrick|title=Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light|year=2004|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|page=456|isbn=978-0060988272}}</ref>

According to his biographer Donald Spoto, Hitchcock was not enthusiastic about the film, and Spoto quotes Grace Kelly to the effect that "the only reason [Hitchcock] could remain calm was that he was already preparing his next picture, ''[[Rear Window]]''".<ref>Spoto, Donald. ''The Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred Hitchcock''. p. 344. ISBN 0-316-80723-0</ref>

Mark's name was changed for the film; in the original play, he was Max Halliday.<ref>{{cite web |author= |title=Dial "M" for Murder |url=http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2350 |access-date=March 7, 2014 |website=[[Internet Broadway Database]]}}</ref> Actors Dawson and Williams reprise their Broadway roles as Swann/Captain Lesgate and Inspector Hubbard, respectively.

Cummings had previously made ''[[Saboteur (film)|Saboteur]]'' for Hitchcock.<ref name="film">{{cite magazine|magazine=Filmink|url=https://www.filmink.com.au/movie-star-cold-streaks-robert-cummings/|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|title=Movie Star Cold Streaks: Robert Cummings|date=29 October 2024|access-date=29 October 2024}}</ref>

[[List of cameo appearances by Alfred Hitchcock|Alfred Hitchcock's cameo]] is a signature occurrence in most of his films. In ''Dial M for Murder'', he can be seen thirteen minutes into the film, in a black-and-white reunion photograph, sitting at a banquet table among former students and faculty.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-19 |title=11 Thrilling Facts About Dial M for Murder |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/508197/11-thrilling-facts-about-dial-m-murder |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Mental Floss |language=en-US}}</ref>