Character Relationship Map: Dial M for Murder

Characters

• Tony Wendice (played by Ray Milland) — protagonist

  Retired English professional tennis player and Margot's husband. He orchestrates a complex murder plot to inherit his wife's fortune, frames her by hiring con man Charles Swann, and is ultimately outs...

• Margot Wendice (played by Grace Kelly) — protagonist

  Tony's wealthy socialite wife who is having an affair with Mark Halliday. She becomes the target of Tony's murder scheme, kills the intruder Charles Swann in self-defense, and is initially convicted f...

• Mark Halliday (played by Robert Cummings) — supporting

  American crime-fiction writer and Margot's lover. He visits Tony to suggest a confession that would save Margot, discovers hidden money in an attaché case, confronts Tony, and assists Hubbard in execu...

• Chief Inspector Hubbard (played by John Williams) — supporting

  Lead investigator on the murder case. He questions the suspects, deduces Tony's involvement, cleverly swaps his raincoat with Tony's to retrieve the hidden latchkey, and stages a mock execution scenar...

• Bobby (uncredited) (played by Jack Cunningham) — supporting
• Charles Swann (played by Anthony Dawson) — supporting

  Small-time con man and Tony's former classmate hired to kill Margot. He enters the flat using a copied key, attempts to strangle her with a scarf, but is fatally stabbed by Margot with scissors. His o...

• Judge at Margot's Trial (uncredited) (played by Forbes Murray) — minor
• Banquet Member (uncredited) (played by Herschel Graham) — minor
• Storyteller (played by Leo Britt) — supporting
• Man in Phone Booth (uncredited) (played by Sam Harris) — minor
• Waiter at Stag Dinner (uncredited) (played by William H. O'Brien) — minor
• Detective (uncredited) (played by Thayer Roberts) — minor
• Men's Club Party Member (uncredited) (played by Harold Miller) — minor
• Banquet Member (uncredited) (played by Alfred Hitchcock) — minor
• Woman Exiting Ship (uncredited) (played by Bess Flowers) — minor
• Policeman Outside Wendice Flat (uncredited) (played by Martin Milner) — minor
• Detective (uncredited) (played by Guy Doleman) — minor
• Detective Pearson (played by Patrick Allen) — supporting
• Detective Williams (played by George Leigh) — supporting
• First Detective (played by George Alderson) — supporting

Story Analysis

A husband plots to murder his unfaithful wife

Plot Progression

1. Marriage in Crisis — Wealthy couple Tony and Margot Wendice appear to have a perfect marriage, but underlying tensions and Margot's affair with American writer Mark Halliday create a dangerous situation.
2. The Deadly Plot — Tony discovers his wife's infidelity and recruits an old acquaintance, Charles Swann, to carry out the perfect murder of Margot.
3. Murder and Aftermath — The murder plot goes awry when Margot kills Swann in self-defense, leading to her arrest and Tony's attempt to frame her for the crime.
4. Unraveling Conspiracy — Chief Inspector Hubbard investigates the case, uncovers inconsistencies, and ultimately exposes Tony's elaborate plot to murder his wife.