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IMDb > "Columbo" Étude in Black (1972)
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"Columbo" Étude in Black (1972)



Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   597 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 33% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Steven Bochco (teleplay)
Richard Levinson (story) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Étude in Black on IMDbPro.
TV Series:
"Columbo" (1971)
Original Air Date:
17 September 1972 (Season 2, Episode 1)
Plot:
An amoral conductor murders the gifted pianist with whom he is having an affair. Lt. Columbo is on the case. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
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Awards:
Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. more
User Comments:
disappointing more

Cast

  (Episode Complete credited cast)

Peter Falk ... Columbo
John Cassavetes ... Alex Benedict
James Olson ... Paul Rifkin

Blythe Danner ... Janice Benedict
Anjanette Comer ... Jenifer Welles

Myrna Loy ... Lizzy Fielding
James McEachin ... Billy
Don Knight ... Mike Alexander

Pat Morita ... The House Boy
Michael Pataki ... Sam
Michael Fox ... Dr. Benson
Dawn Frame ... Audrey
Charles Macaulay ... Durkee
George Gaynes ... Everett
Wallace Chadwell ... TV director
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Additional Details

Runtime:
90 min | USA:120 min (including commercials)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Finland:K-7 (2005)
Company:
Universal TV more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This is the debut episode for Dog, Columbo's pet basset hound. more
Goofs:
Plot holes: While Alex Benedict takes great pains not to leave fingerprints from his right hand as he climbs through the washroom window, John Cassavetes rests his bare left hand on the tiled wall at least twice, leaving distinct hand and fingerprints. more
Quotes:
Jenifer Welles: I thought you might be a little angry.
Alex Benedict: How could I be angry looking at you? I just don't like ultimatums, that's all.
Jenifer Welles: Well, I don't like being a secret mistress. It's not my style.
Alex Benedict: I know. You told me.
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Movie Connections:
Followed by "Columbo: Negative Reaction (#4.2)" (1974) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
3 out of 18 people found the following comment useful:-
disappointing, 12 June 2004
4/10
Author: Graeme Qewe from Odense, Denmark

After starting watching the re-runs of old Columbo movies, I thought they would all get about the same vote from me (6). But apparently I'm now starting to see differences in the movies. It happened in some of just previous episodes, that showed some pretty genius directing, and it shows in this one, but in the negative way.

The movie was so boring, that I sometimes found myself occupied peaking in the paper instead of watching (never happened during a Columbo movie before!), and sometimes it was so embarrassing that I had to look away. The directing seems too pretentious. The scenes with the "oh-so-mature" neighbour-girl are a misplace. And generally the lines and plot is weaker than the average episode. Then scene where they debated whether or not to sack the trumpeter (who falsely was accused for the murder) is pure horror, really stupid.

Some applause should be given to the "prelude" however. In this episode, a lot of focus is given on how the murderer tries to secure his alibi and hide the evidence etc. I really liked that. But alas, no focus on how Columbo reveals all this. And the "proof" that in the end leaves Columbo victorious is the silliest ever.

Rating: lies between 4 and 5

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