Dial R For Remake: Movie Nostalgia III
brains love a good remake of a classic film. The need to relive or transport into the time when originals are made is wired through the nostalgia-reward system.
Usually, it is best to leave Hitchcock alone. More so, Grace Kelly is similarly categorized as untouchable. Both exemplified style that defied time barriers. Who can really compare?
Dial M for Murder in 1954 stars Grace Kelly as Margot Wendice. In the 1998 remake A Perfect Murder Gwyneth Paltrow plays Emily Taylor. Both are wealthy heiresses, except that Kelly is characterized as a socialite while Emily works at the UN.
Margot, a 1950s socialite, is strangely comfortable having martinis with her lover and husband in Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder (1954).
Remakes of definitive cinematic originals are generally regarded as subpar. In the case of Dial M, the 1998 version stands on its own. The style alone is a contender.
Emily wears a classic work outfit in A Perfect Murder (1998). Her co-worker and friend is played by the lovely SITC revamp vamp Sarita Choudhury.
Future Goop magnate Paltrow stepped into the reprised role with iconic 90s style and a few nods to Kelly.
Hitchcock’s film takes place in London, while the more recent version is set in NYC. Both cities provide perfect backdrops classic Fall/Winter looks.
The striking costumes in Dial M compensate for few outfit changes compared to A Perfect Murder. The 1998 version modernized some of the looks like the brown coat and red dress.
Red and lace
Margot is donned in a characteristically Princess Grace lace dress in stunning red topped with a lace bolero and in classic Dior shape for a night out to the theater. Emily dresses as her older husband pleases for an elegant Met Museum soiree. Her long maroon gown with a detailed back waist gives a nod to Margot’s key-carrying purse.
Margot’s red lace Dior-like dress could have been picked from Grace Kelly’s personal wardrobe.
The detail on Emily’s gown is fit for a night at the museum.
Princess Contours
The necklines on the party dresses are beautifully accented with diamond necklaces and red lipstick. The neckline on Margot’s strapless dress is reminiscent of Princess Grace’s wedding dress, which would take place after High Society, her last film. These cuts also showcase the actresses’ collarbone.
Margot’s neckline matches the wedding gown of the real-life Princess.
Emily’s neckline is a classic ‘90s square.
Brown Bag Lunch
The brown coats used in both films are also perfect for Fall dressing and appropriate for today’s 90s revival. Margot’s gives The Row feels.
Margot is beyond confused as to what happened to her key.
Emily is confronted by a surprise lunch with her husband.
It’s in the bag
The handbags in both versions are notable constants. Emily’s everyday Hermes Kelly is clearly a nod to Kelly’s 1954 role. The 1954 uses a lovely little maroon purse that would make great vintage sale find.
Red on red.
The Kelly serves as a nod to the Princess.
Scarf Technique
Chic scarves hide bruising in the aftermath of the attack. The use of these scarves ties into the weapon used in the 1954 original.
A gold scarf with a men’s grey sweater while Emily confesses to her mother the state of her marriage.
A blue scarf tucked into a cozy brown sweater as Emily returns to the scene of the crime.
Gray on Grey
In 1954, the wife is framed and to be hung in a beautiful grey dress. The same one she wore during the investigation- pleated skirt, covered buttons, belted waist, high color and black contrast piping. In the 90s, the wife fights back in grey turtlenecks. From leaving to her mother’s estate to uncovering her husband’s motive, these toppers symbolize solace and grace.
Off-center buttons and black contrast trim for the win.
Pleats to plead with her scheming husband on how this could have happened.
A roomy oversized turtleneck to cover the attack remnants.
A grey turtleneck to hide the bruises and investigate the crime.
Margot returns home just before facing her death sentence.
Emily seeks comfort in layers.
Bottom Line
Watch these thrillers during Spooky Season or when in need for retro Fall/Winter looks. The plot differs to make up for the 34-year age gap. The bottom line remains the same:
Duplicitous husband hires someone to kill (adulterous) wife.
Wife outwits husband. 1998 turns it up a notch by using the (scam) artist lover in the murder-for-hire scheme.
Both have a letter and extortion.
The key to the both movies follows a key. One that gets treachery caught and leaves no damsel in distress. Rather, in just a nice dress.
