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"Columbo" Murder by the Book (1971)
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showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips"Columbo" Murder by the Book (1971)
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Overview
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Director:
Writers:
TV Series:
Original Air Date:
15 September 1971
(Season 1, Episode 1)
Plot:
Ken Franklin is a rich socialite living in a luxurious coastal mansion bought from his years of writing crime and mystery books...
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Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Falk's Daughter Makes Her Case For Conservatorship In Court
(From WENN. 28 May 2009, 12:15 PM, PDT)
Bullitt And Knight Rider's Autos Rev Up On Top Car List
(From WENN. 4 February 2009, 11:45 PM, PST)
(From WENN. 28 May 2009, 12:15 PM, PDT)
Bullitt And Knight Rider's Autos Rev Up On Top Car List
(From WENN. 4 February 2009, 11:45 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Early Spielberg
more (20 total)
Cast
(Episode Complete credited cast) | Peter Falk | ... | Columbo |
 | Jack Cassidy | ... | Ken Franklin |
| Rosemary Forsyth | ... | Joanna Ferris |
| Martin Milner | ... | Jim Ferris |
| Barbara Colby | ... | Lilly La Sanka |
| Lynette Mettey | ... | Gloria Jr. (as Lynnette Mettey) |
| Bernie Kuby | ... | Mike Tucker |
| Hoke Howell | ... | Sergeant |
 | Marcia Wallace | ... | Woman (credit only) |
| Haven Earle Haley | ... | 2nd Reporter |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
73 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Ken Franklin's house in "Murder By The Book" was also Eric Wagner's house in "Columbo: The Most Crucial Game (#2.3)" (1972).
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Goofs:
Continuity: Position of Ken Franklin's hands and arms whilst being interviewed by the female reporter at his home.
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Quotes:
[first lines]
[Jim works in his office]
Jim Ferris: [knock on the door] Who is it?
[another knock on the door]
Jim Ferris: [He opens the door - Ken is aiming a gun at his face. Jim laughs]
Ken Franklin: Oh, you're not intimidated.
Jim Ferris: Oh, come on, Ken. You're forgetting that I'm one-half of the world's greatest mystery-writing team? You, ah, don't have gloves on, your finger's not on the trigger, and there are no bullets in the cylinder.
Ken Franklin: [smiling] You're right. I'm a lousy practical joker.
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[Jim works in his office]
Jim Ferris: [knock on the door] Who is it?
[another knock on the door]
Jim Ferris: [He opens the door - Ken is aiming a gun at his face. Jim laughs]
Ken Franklin: Oh, you're not intimidated.
Jim Ferris: Oh, come on, Ken. You're forgetting that I'm one-half of the world's greatest mystery-writing team? You, ah, don't have gloves on, your finger's not on the trigger, and there are no bullets in the cylinder.
Ken Franklin: [smiling] You're right. I'm a lousy practical joker.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Midsomer Murders: A Tale of Two Hamlets (#6.4)" (2003)
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Soundtrack:
Love Theme from 'Red Sky At Morning'
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FAQ
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In this episode, both Peter Falk as Columbo, and Jack Cassidy as the murderer play off each other with an almost delicious charm, and both seem to enjoy hamming it up in this 1971 Steven Spielberg directed mystery. Cassidy from all accounts was exactly the same in everyday real life...a chain smoker and avid drinker; he played this part perfectly for this episode and another Columbo episode about a murdering publisher, and yet another one about a nazi magician. It was unfortunate about the untimely death of Jack Cassidy, who supposedly fell asleep with a cigarette in hand and died in a massive fire. Getting back to Columbo, I was slightly disappointed in how easy the murderer simply gave up and surrendered, as the Lieut. never had enough concrete evidence to convict, but this was 1971, and I suppose times have changed. I did expect a little more from Spielberg though.