Am I the only one that thought this was a weak makeover of "Dial M for Murder"??? It had all the ingredients!
Took place in England
American speaking blonde victim, English speaking murderous husband.
Husbands name is "Tony"
John Williams in both as detective.
Anthony Dawson as a murderer in both.
Husbands motive for murder is money.
Good looking male befriends the blonde victim.
yes there are many similarities......but personally I think Dial M For Murder was a far better movie......this movie was too slow at times......
shareIt seemed a little more like Gaslight to me:)
shareI wouldn't exactly call it a remake, but the plots are very similar.
shareI agree wholeheartedly. The whole affair seemed a little transparent remake of a combination of Gaslight and Dial M. I found myself wondering if maybe Doris' rat husband forced her into this retread made to order for her, in the wake of Grace Kelley's recent marriage.
shareA little too much scenery-chewing by Miss Day, a few too many red herrings littering the plot, etc., all suggest a made to order vehicle for the star, and I think it can't hold a candle to Dial M. But even though John Gavin may have flunked out of the Paper Bag School of Acting, the hours they spent lighting that fabulous face were worth it.
shareWell, by 1960 Marty was pretty much running Doris' life and career. It wasn't until after his death that she found out he had left her practically penniless and had contracted her to do a television series for CBS. It was THE DORIS DAY SHOW, produced by her son Terry, that got her out of debt and solvent again.
shareMany fiddle on the Gaslight thing, and Dial M for Murder.
I can't actually see the first parallel so much. the setup is quite different, the jewels to be looked for have little in common with the shares here. The only similarity is the setting up of the wife. But also, in the first case not really screwy, not with another partner, but by poison.
I do see the parallel to Dial M for Murder. At one moment in time the husband decides to drive the wife somewhat crazy, it is also about the money, it is about a new boyfriend (here: implicit, one to be). Aside from the same inspector, who talks about 'flatfooted policemen' in both, or is spoken to about these.
Overall, it looks like a vessel for Doris Day to play in. Always amazing in movies of those years, how 50+ men marry 25-year-old girls. Here he is even ugly, artificial, not charming, a bore.
What I kind of like in the plot is the unexpected appearance of yet another husband, someone whom we tend to suspect.
People talk about plot holes in here, I don't see any as of now. It even is well explained how Doris comes to see the man with the hat before she queues for the bus.
I'd be happy to know which plot holes others can perceive?
'Anthony Dawson as murderer in both'?
He attempted to murder Margot Wendice in Dial M for Murder, but who did he murder in Midnight Lace
'Good looking male befriends the blonde victim'?
Bob Cummings and John Gavin????? It would be more accurate to say, - Lifeless, stiff, bland, boring male befriends the blonde victim.
I like this movie. Sure it's formulaic but it's good fun in so many ways.
Myrna Loy is always a joy to watch.
Doris does a pretty good job I think.
There's the "what will she wear next?" factor.
When's the last time you saw Richard Ney in a film?
I like the music.
It's great fun watching how Universal can make the back lot look like London.
Hello usnjohn62. I totally agree with you, i think it's a remake Rex Tony is Ray Tony and so on, same inspector, same villain Etc. Dial for Murder is far better of course- Andy Duran from Caracas-Venezuela
shareThe similarities between the two movies are obvious as you say. In fact 'Dial M' For Murder' can act as a spoiler. In that one the viewer is given the information. Whereas 'Midnight Lace' is a type of murder mystery, which can be a bit predictable for any one who has seen the earlier film.
share'Anthony Dawson as murderer in both'?
He attempted to murder Margot Wendice in Dial M for Murder, but who did he murder in Midnight Lace