How to Dial a Murder (5 Apr. 1978)

A behavioral psychologist whose wife died under suspicious circumstances trains his dogs to kill on command using a telephone.

Director:

James Frawley

Writers:

Tom Lazarus (teleplay), Anthony Lawrence (story),

Stars:

Peter Falk, Nicol Williamson, Kim Cattrall

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Nicol Williamson	...	Dr. Eric Mason
Kim Cattrall	...	Joanne Nicholls
Joel Fabiani	...	Dr. Charles Hunter
Frank Aletter	...	Dr. Garrison
Tricia O'Neil	...	Mrs. Cochran - the dog trainer
Ed Begley Jr.	...	Officer Stein
Fred J. Gordon	...	Technician

Storyline

Dr. Eric Mason is a self-controlled man and he teaches how to get control over one's own life. His wife died suddenly because of an inexplicable accident and his best friend is Dr. Garrison, or so it seems. Eric has two dogs and his two Doberman pinschers will be his arms to kill Dr. Garrison. But Lt. Columbo love dogs...

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Plot Keywords:

dog | doberman | psychologist | lecture | murder investigation | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 April 1978 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Trees in the background remain still while tumbleweeds are blown around by high winds.

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Quotes

Lt. Columbo: Most people could sit and listen to somebody talking about their personality for hours - Lord knows *I* could.

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Connections

References The Fugitive (1947)

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Soundtracks

"This Old Man"
(uncredited)
Traditional English children's marching song
Whistled by Peter Falk

User Reviews

Columbo learns about movies

A very good, and above average, Columbo episode. This is caused by that it makes small variations from the classic scheme. The motive of the murder isn't present at the beginning, which is something, that really improves the movie. Columbo is playing up against Dr. Eric Mason (nicely played by Nicol Williamson), who doesn't loose his temper as much as the characters that Columbo previously met.

The third main character, Joanne Nicholls, should have a special mention, since she is not only played extremely well - by Kim Cattrall, later of "Sex And The City" fame (however her role in this movie is the complete opposite, a true romantic who has her teddy bear as her true companion) - but also that her unbalanced character adds well to the movie plot.

And ad with that, some great incidental music, good directing spots (particularly in a wordless sequence with Columbo and the dog trainer), a generally good script(rarely have I laughed so much in a Columbo movie, and the many references to old movies - particularly Citizen Kane

• and psychology are well-put and well used), and that Peter Falk seems

in top shape makes it a great movie, and a Columbo classic.