Dial M for Murder (1954)

Ray Milland: Tony Wendice

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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.

• Tony Wendice : It's funny to think that just a year ago, I sat in that Knightsbridge Pub actually planning to murder her. And I might have done it, if I hadn't seen something that changed my mind.

  C.A. Swan : Well? What did you see?

  Tony Wendice : I saw you.

• Tony Wendice : [to Mark]  People don't commit murder on credit.

• [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.

• Tony Wendice : By the way does Mrs. Van Dorn know about "Mr. Adams" or "Mr. Wilson" and Miss Wallace? You were planning to marry Mrs. Van Dorn, weren't you?

  C.A. Swan : Smart, aren't you?

  Tony Wendice : No, not really. I've just had time to think things out. Put myself in your position. That's why I know you're going to agree.

  C.A. Swan : What makes you think I'll agree?

  Tony Wendice : For the same reason that a donkey with a stick behind him and a carrot in front always goes forwards and not backwards.

  C.A. Swan : Tell me about the carrot.

• Tony Wendice : At exactly three minutes to eleven, you'll enter the house through the street door. You'll find the key to this door under the stair carpet here.

  C.A. Swan : The fifth step?

  Tony Wendice : That's the one. Go straight to the window, and hide behind the curtains. At exactly eleven o'clock, I shall go to the telephone in the hotel to call my boss. I shall dial the wrong number. This number. That's all I shall do.

• C.A. Swan : [looking at an old photograph]  Well, that's the first and last reunion I ever went to. What a murderous thug I look.

  Tony Wendice : Yes, you do, rather.

• C.A. Swan : [referring to the bribe money Tony is offering him to kill Margot]  You know the police would only have to trace one of these notes back to you to hang us both from the same rope?

  Tony Wendice : They won't. For a whole year I've been cashing an extra twenty pounds a week, always in fivers. I then change them for those at my leisure.

  C.A. Swan : Let me see your bank statement.

  Tony Wendice : By all means. Don't touch.

  [Tony opens up his checkbook for Swan, so as not to leave fingerprints] 

  C.A. Swan : [as he reads]  Turn back a page.

  [Tony complies] 

  C.A. Swan : Ah, your balance has dropped by over a thousand pounds during the year. Suppose the police ask you about that?

  Tony Wendice : I go dog-racing twice a week.

  C.A. Swan : They'll check your bookmaker!

  Tony Wendice : Like you, I always bet on the "Tote." Satisfied?

• C.A. Swan : You know, I think I must have seen you somewhere since we left Cambridge.

  Tony Wendice : Ever been to Wimbledon?

  C.A. Swan : That's it! Wendice. Tony Wendice. What's all this about "Fisher"?

  Tony Wendice : What's all this about "Lesgate"?

  [embarrassed, Swan doesn't respond] 

  Tony Wendice : Would you like a cigar?

• C.A. Swan : When would this take place?

  Tony Wendice : Tomorrow night.

  C.A. Swan : Tomorrow? Not a chance! I've got to think this over.

  Tony Wendice : It has to be tomorrow. I've arranged things that way.

  C.A. Swan : Where?

  Tony Wendice : Approximately where you're standing now.

• Margot Mary Wendice : Don't make me stay home. You know how I hate doing nothing.

  Tony Wendice : Doing nothing? Why there are hundreds of things you can do. Have you written to Peggy, thanking her for the weekend? And what about those clippings? It's an ideal opportunity.

  Margot Mary Wendice : Well I like that. You two go gallivanting while I stay home and do those boring clippings.

• 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.

• Tony Wendice : [on the phone to a lawyer]  We had a burglary last night, and Margot was attacked. No, she's all right. But the man was killed, and the police are here now. And don't laugh... they're suggesting that Margot killed him intentionally!

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : [interrupting Tony]  I wouldn't say that if I were you, sir.

• Tony Wendice : What makes you think he came in by this door?

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : His shoes.

  Tony Wendice : His shoes?

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : The ground was soaking wet last night. If he'd come in by the garden, he'd have left mud all over the carpet. As it is, he didn't leave any marks at all, because he wiped his shoes on the front doormat.

  Tony Wendice : How can you tell?

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : It's a fairly new mat, and some of its fibers came off on his shoes.

  Tony Wendice : Oh, but surely...

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : And there was a small tar stain on the mat, and some of the fibers show that as well. There is no question about it.

• 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 : I became curious to know you that I followed you. I followed you home that night And I've been following you ever since.

  C.A. Swan : Why?

  Tony Wendice : Well, I was hoping that sooner or later I might catch you at something and be able to, ah...

  C.A. Swan : Blackmail me?

  Tony Wendice : Influence you. After a few weeks, I got to know your routine. That that made it a lot easier.

  C.A. Swan : Wasn't that dull work? Following me around in your spare time?

  Tony Wendice : To begin with... yes. But you know how it is. It's like a hobby. Once you take up a hobby, the more interesting and fascinating it becomes. You became quite fascinating. They were time that I felt you almost belonged to me.

  C.A. Swan : That must have been interesting.

• Tony Wendice : [on the phone with Margot]  I'm so glad we don't have to go to Maureen's; she's such a filthy cook.

• Tony Wendice : [concerned tone; into the phone]  Oh, by the way, will you be bringing the car with you?

  C.A. Swan : [on the phone]  Uh... I'm afraid I can't tonight, it's...

  Tony Wendice : [relieved tone; into the phone]  That doesn't matter. I had a good look at it anyway. Oh, you might want to bring the registration book and any necessary papers.

  C.A. Swan : [on the phone]  Yes, of course.

  Tony Wendice : [on the phone]  I don't see why we can't settle this whole thing here and now, provided you drop the price.

  C.A. Swan : [on the phone]  I'm afraid that's quite out of the question.

  Tony Wendice : [on the phone]  Well, we'll see what a couple of drinks can do. Goodbye.

  C.A. Swan : [on the phone]  Goodbye.

• C.A. Swan : Just a minute. I'm supposed to have come in through these windows. Suppose they'd been locked?

  Tony Wendice : It wouldn't matter. You see, she often takes a walk around the garden before she goes to bed, and she usually forgets to lock up when she gets back. That's what I shall tell the police.

  C.A. Swan : Yes, but she may say that...

  Tony Wendice : But she isn't going to say anything, is she?

• C.A. Swan : By the way, how do you know my car is for sale?

  Tony Wendice : The mechanic at your garage told me.

  C.A. Swan : That's odd. I don't think I mentioned it to anyone there.

  Tony Wendice : Well, I stopped there one day for a fill up and told him that I was looking for a new American car to buy and he gave me your phone number. It is for sale, isn't it?

  C.A. Swan : Yes, of course.

  Tony Wendice : Well, I refuse to discuss the price until you've had at least three brandies.

  C.A. Swan : Hey, I warn you. I drive a hard bargain, drunk or sober.

• C.A. Swan : Where's the nearest police station?

  Tony Wendice : Opposite the church, two minutes walk.

  C.A. Swan : Suppose I walk there now.

  Tony Wendice : What would you tell them?

  C.A. Swan : Everything.

  Tony Wendice : Everything? All about "Mr. Adams" and "Mr. Wilson"?

  C.A. Swan : I should simply tell them that you're trying to blackmail me into...

  Tony Wendice : ...Into?

  C.A. Swan : ...murdering your wife.

  Tony Wendice : [chuckles]  I almost wish you would. When she heard that we'd have the biggest laugh of our lives.

  C.A. Swan : Aren't you forgetting something?

  Tony Wendice : Am I?

  C.A. Swan : You've told me quite a lot tonight.

  Tony Wendice : [scoffs]  What of it?

  C.A. Swan : Suppose I tell them how you followed her to that studio in Chelsea and watched them cooking spaghetti and all that rubbish. Wouldn't that ring a bell?

  Tony Wendice : Oh, it certainly would. They'd assume you followed her there yourself.

  C.A. Swan : Me? Why should I?

  Tony Wendice : Why should you steal her handbag? Why should you write her all those blackmail notes? Can you prove you didn't? You certainly can't prove I did. It'll be a straight case of your word against mine.

  C.A. Swan : That'd puzzle them, wouldn't it? What could you say?

  Tony Wendice : I should simply say that you came here tonight, half-drunk, and tried to borrow money on the strength that we were at college together. When I refused, you mentioned something about a letter belonging to my wife. As far as I could make out, you were trying to sell it to me. I gave you what money I had, and you gave me the letter. It has your fingerprints on it, remember? Then you said if I went to the police you'd tell some crazy story about my wanting you to murder my wife. Before you go any further, old boy, do consider the inconvenience. You see, I'm quite well known, and there'd be pictures of you as well. And sooner or later there'd be a deputation of landladies and lodgers who would step forward and testify as to your character. And someone is almost certain to have seen you with Miss Wallace. You were careful not to be seen around with her, I noticed. You usually met in out-of-the-way places where you wouldn't be recognized.

• Tony Wendice : One thousand pounds in cash.

  C.A. Swan : For a murder?

  Tony Wendice : For a few minutes work, that's all it is. And no risk, I guarantee. That ought to appeal to you. You've been skating on pretty thin ice.

  C.A. Swan : I don't know what you're talking about.

  Tony Wendice : You ought to know. It's in all the papers. Middle aged woman found dead due to an overdose of something. Apparently, she'd been taking the stuff for quite some time, and nobody knows where she got it. But we know, don't we? Poor Miss Wallace.

  C.A. Swan : This thousand pounds. Where is it?

  Tony Wendice : It's in a small attaché case in a check room.

  C.A. Swan : Where?

  Tony Wendice : Somewhere in London. Of course we don't meet again. As soon as you've delivered the goods, I shall mail you the checkroom ticket and the key to the case. You take this hundred pounds on account.

• 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.

• Chief Insp. Hubbard : Good morning, Sir. I'm Chief Inspector Hubbard, in charge of criminal investigation of this division.

  Tony Wendice : Oh, I think we gave your sergeant all the necessary information.

  Chief Insp. Hubbard : Yes, I've seen his report of course, but there are a few things I'd like to get firsthand.

• Tony Wendice : [to Swan]  I need an alibi, a very good one. Then I saw you. I'd wondered what happened to people who came out of prison. People like you, I mean.

• 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.

• Tony Wendice : You used to go gambling at the dog racing track on Mondays and Thursdays. I even took it up myself just to be near you. I soon discovered after talking to a few people that you interacted with that you changed your name to "Adams".

  C.A. Swan : Yes, because I got bored with Swan. Any crime with that?

  Tony Wendice : No, none at all. In fact, there wasn't really anything illegal about you. I got quite discouraged. I was just about to give up on you, when one day you dissappeared from your lodgings. So, I phoned your landlady. I told her I was looking for you because "Mr. Adams" owed me five pounds. Apparently that was nothing. "Mr. Adams" owed her six weeks' rent and her best lodger 55 pounds. And "Mr. Adams" had been such a nice gentleman. That's what seemed to upset her the most.

  C.A. Swan : Yes, it always seems to upset the most.