Dial M for Murder

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

Dial M for Murder, CC BY-SA 4.0

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. Hmm. 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.

Dial M for Murder, CC BY-SA 4.0

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.

Dial M for Murder, CC BY-SA 4.0

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.

Dial M for Murder, CC BY-SA 4.0

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: [laughs] 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: 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'd followed her there yourself. C.A. Swan: Me? Why should I? Tony Wendice: Why should you steal her handbag? Why should you write her a

Dial M for Murder, CC BY-SA 4.0

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: 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 nobod

Dial M for Murder, CC BY-SA 4.0