Dial M for Murder (1954)

Robert Cummings: Mark Halliday

Photos 

Quotes 

• Tony Wendice : How do you go about writing a detective story?

  Mark Halliday : Well, you forget detection and concentrate on crime. Crime's the thing. And then you imagine you're going to steal something or murder somebody.

  Tony Wendice : Oh, is that how you do it? It's interesting.

  Mark Halliday : Yes, I usually put myself in the criminal's shoes and then I keep asking myself, uh, what do I do next?

  Margot Mary Wendice : Do you really believe in the perfect murder?

  Mark Halliday : Mmm, yes, absolutely. On paper, that is. And I think I could, uh, plan one better than most people; but I doubt if I could carry it out.

  Tony Wendice : Oh? Why not?

  Mark Halliday : Well, because in stories things usually turn out the way the author wants them to; and in real life they don't... always.

  Tony Wendice : Hmm.

  Mark Halliday : No, I'm afraid my murders would be something like my bridge: I'd make some stupid mistake and never realize it until I found everybody was looking at me.

• [last lines] 

  Tony Wendice : As you said Mark, it might work out on paper, but congratulations, Inspector. Oh, by the way... How about you, Margot?

  Margot Mary Wendice : Yes, I could do with something.

  Tony Wendice : Mark?

  Mark Halliday : So could I.

  Tony Wendice : I suppose you're still on duty, Inspector.

• Mark Halliday : What is all this?

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : They talk about flat-footed policemen. May the saints protect us from the gifted amateur.

• Mark Halliday : When did you find out, sir?

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : Well, the first clue came quite by accident.

  [to Margot] 

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : We discovered that your husband had been spending a large number of pound notes all over the place - it ran into over three hundred pounds - and it appeared to have started at about the time you were arrested. Now, I had to find out where he got that money, and how. Then I remembered that after you were arrested we searched this flat, and I saw a copy of his bank statement in that desk. So yesterday afternoon, I went to the prison and asked to see your handbag. While I was doing this, I managed to lift your latchkey. Highly irregular, of course, but my blood was up. And then this morning when your husband was out, I came back here to look at his statement. I never saw it... because I never got through that door. You see, the key that I'd taken from your handbag didn't fit the lock!

• [first lines] 

  Margot Mary Wendice : let me get you another drink. Mark, before Tony comes I ought to explain something.

  Mark Halliday : Yes, I've been waiting for that.

  Margot Mary Wendice : I haven't told him anything about us.

• Chief Insp. Hubbard : Sooner or later, he'll come back here. As I've pinched his latch key, he'll try the one in the handbag. When that doesn't fit, he'll realize his mistake, put two and two together, and look under the stair carpet.

  Mark Halliday : If he doesn't do that, all of this is pure guess work. We can't prove a thing.

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : That's perfectly true. But once he opens that door, we shall know everything.

• Tony Wendice : Would any of you fellows have the right time?

  Men's Club party member : Yes, I have. It's seven minutes past eleven.

  Mark Halliday : I make it only just after that.

  Tony Wendice : My watch has stopped. I must have over wound it.

  Men's Club party member : So, as I was saying...

  Tony Wendice : Excuse me, old boy, I have to call my boss.

• Mark Halliday : [to Margot]  Darling, I understand now, but that doesn't stop me from loving you.

• Chief Insp. Hubbard : There is evidence however that he was blackmailing you.

  Tony Wendice : Blackmail?

  Mark Halliday : Yes, I'm afraid it's true, Tony.

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : And you suggest that he came in by the window. And we know that he came in by that door.

  Margot Mary Wendice : But he can't have come in that way. That door was locked. And there are only two keys. My husband had his with him, and mine was in my handbag. Here.

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : You could have let him in.

• Tony Wendice : How about coming with me to a stag party?

  Mark Halliday : A stag party?

  Tony Wendice : Yes, some American boys have been playing tennis all over the country. We're giving them a sort of farewell dinner.

  Mark Halliday : Sounds great, but I'm not much of a tennis player.

  Tony Wendice : Doesn't matter. You know New York and all that.

  [to Margot] 

  Tony Wendice : Darling, Mark's coming to the party tomorrow night.

  Margot Mary Wendice : Oh good. You better drop in here first and have a drink.

  Tony Wendice : That's the idea.

  Mark Halliday : Yes, alright. Well I'll try and get a taxi.

  Margot Mary Wendice : No, we can usually pick one up. So long, darling.

  Tony Wendice : Enjoy yourself.

  Mark Halliday : So long, Tony.

  Tony Wendice : Good night.

• Margot Mary Wendice : Oh, there you are. We thought you were never coming. What have you been up to?

  Tony Wendice : I'm sorry darling, but the boss came in just as I was leaving.

  Margot Mary Wendice : Tony, this is Mark Halliday.

  Tony Wendice : Hello Mark.

  Mark Halliday : Hello.

• Margot Mary Wendice : Shouldn't I break down or something?

  Mark Halliday : It's delayed action, that's all. In a couple of days you're going to have the most wonderful breakdown.