Noirtini Hour: Dial M for Murder

Film Noir Meet-Up: Dial M for Murder (1954)

Let’s talk about movies! Join movie club member Jenna M. for Dial M for Murder, starring Grace Kelly, Ray Milland, Robert Cummings, Anthony Dawson, and John Williams, a Hitchcock thriller about a husband’s carefully plotted plan to murder his wife and inherit her fortune.

Here’s how The Portland Movie Club meet-ups work:
Just like a book club, we watch the movie on our own time before we meet.

We'll meet at Lucky Lab on SE Hawthorne at 4pm on the scheduled date.

We'll typically have a sign at our table(s) but at least we'll try to be obvious and identifiable.

Grab some food and drinks to support our generous hosts and spend some time socializing and discussing this movie with us.

A Few Notes about the film:
Dial M for Murder was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and released in 1954. The screenplay by Frederick Knott was adapted from his own successful stage play, which premiered in London in 1952 and later ran on Broadway. Shot largely in confined interiors to preserve its theatrical tension, the film was originally released in 3D and endures as one of Hitchcock’s most meticulously plotted suspense films, built around betrayal, manipulation, and the illusion of the perfect crime.

Viewing Options for the film:
For streaming, the film is available for free on Kanopy, Plex, Fawesome, Flixhouse, Xumoplay, and available to rent through Amazon Video, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, and Fandango. There are also two copies available to rent from Movie Madness, and a few at the public library. If anyone knows of any other streaming/viewing options, please comment on the event.

About the Film Noir group:
This meetup explores classic and neo-noir films, focusing on shadowy visuals, morally gray characters, doomed romances, and crime stories where nobody’s hands are clean. We’ll watch a mix of essential noirs and modern films inspired by the genre, paying attention to themes like fate, corruption, obsession, and alienation. These films often deal with violence, crime, and heavy subject matter, so content can be intense at times; checking a site like www.doesthedogdie.com is encouraged if you prefer content warnings.

Tips:
Once again, we do not watch the movie at the meet-up. All members watch the movie on their own time before we meet to discuss it. You don't have to watch the movie to join us, but it'll be more fun if you do.

Some people like to take notes or find books and articles related to the film and its subject matter, feel free to bring those things along if there's something you'd like to share with the group.

At the end of the discussion we'll pass around a ballot where we can vote on a slate of options for the next discussion.

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