By Dawn's Early Light (27 Oct. 1974)

The commandant of a military academy murders the chairman of the board, who wants to oust him. Lt. Columbo takes up residence in the barracks to expose the killer.

Director:

Harvey Hart

Writers:

Howard Berk, Richard Levinson (creator),

Stars:

Peter Falk, Patrick McGoohan, Burr DeBenning

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Patrick McGoohan	...	Col. Lyle C. Rumford
Burr DeBenning	...	Capt. Loomis
Madeleine Sherwood	...	Miss Brady (as Madeleine Thornton-Sherwood)
Tom Simcox	...	William Haynes
Mark Wheeler	...	Cadet Roy Springer
Bruce Kirby	...	Sergeant George Kramer (as Bruce Kirby Sr.)
Sidney Armus	...	Officer Corso
Robert Clotworthy	...	Boodle Boy (Miller)
Karen Lamm	...	Susan Gerard
Bruno Kirby	...	Cadet Morgan (as B. Kirby Jr.)

Storyline

Colonel Lyle C. Rumford, the proud Commandant of a military academy, is incensed that William Haynes, the owner of the property, wants to turn it into a co-ed college. So, Rumford plots to kill Haynes with a back-firing cannon that Haynes is due to fire in a ceremony. Rumford arranges for the cannon to explode by blocking its discharge with a cleaning rag and thereby making the explosion seem an unfortunate accident caused by a clumsy attendant. Los Angeles Police Department's Lieutenant Columbo comes to the academy to investigate Haynes' death and instantly suspects that Rumford had something to do with the explosion, which Columbo believes was not accidental. Columbo unrelentingly seeks to prove that Rumford had motive and opportunity to rig the cannon.

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Plot Keywords:

cannon | military | military academy | cadet | co ed | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 October 1974 (USA)

Filming Locations:

The Citadel - 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the only "Columbo" episode out of the four Patrick McGoohan appears in which he did not direct.

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Goofs

When Haynes walks into the Commandant's office, in the long shot, there is a solid red furled flag with white stars (it is unclear of whether or not it is a General Officer's flag which would also be in error) over the Commandant's left shoulder but in all other shots, this flag has been replaced with the California State Flag.

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Quotes

Col. Lyle C. Rumford: Do you have a first name?
Lt. Columbo: I do. My wife is about the only one that uses it.

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Soundtracks

"The Thunderer"
(uncredited)
Written by John Philip Sousa

User Reviews

Great Battle of Wits

Columbo vs. Patrick McGoohan's character is a classic -- better than many films, keeps you on edge and wondering the whole way. Definitely worth watching if you can find it. Here you see two actors who really know how to fill out a character and make him come to life. Huge fun.