Still Memorable, After All These Years

The trailer says, “a movie you will never forget.” That was back in 1954, and the trailer was right. But “Dial M for Murder” started life in 1952 as a play by Frederick Knott (who seems to have obsessed on vulnerable women — he wrote “Wait Until Dark” as well). It’s smart, tidy and very British: all good reasons to roll it out at the Ghent Playhouse for those who remember “Dial M” fondly, if not particularly well. The play’s first task is to create an aura of privilege and ease, which it does excellently. This is a drawing room murder, after all, and the set has that look of exhausted, post-war elegance with its olive walls, full bar, dim lights and marquetry surfaces. The first act opens with Margot, (Jill Wanderman — who starred in Ghent’s otherwise fine production of “The Heiress”), entertaining Max (Paul Murphy), an American TV writer of mysteries visiting London with hopes of continuing their dalliance. But Margot’s husband, the ever-swilling Tony (Daniel Region), is on to all this, and the former tennis star, otherwise unemployable, is terrified his meal ticket will be snatched away if this woman of means dumps him. And so to his murder plan, which involves a choice of victims, a love letter, blackmail, the laborious syphoning of funds to snare hitman Captain Lesgate (entertainingly played by Neal Berntson), a couple of keys, French doors, a stocking, a telephone call and many, many details, some excitingly negotiated under shifting circumstances. It is all quite entertaining, leaving audiences to chatter about what means what during two intermissions ­— yes, that was when plays had three acts. Finally, Inspector Hubbard arrives, performed by the delightful John Trainor, who plays sly Brit to Max’s earnest American. And though the details by which Margot is rescued from the hangman may not be easy to recall even minutes later, the play is fun, even memorable in its quaint way. “Dial M for Murder”runs at the Ghent Playhouse through Oct. 30. For tickets, call 518-392-6264, or go to www.ghentplayhouse.com.