Murder by the Book
- Episode aired Sep 15, 1971
- TV-PG
- 1h 16m
When one member of a mystery writing team wants to break from his less talented partner, he becomes the victim in a real-life murder mystery.When one member of a mystery writing team wants to break from his less talented partner, he becomes the victim in a real-life murder mystery.When one member of a mystery writing team wants to break from his less talented partner, he becomes the victim in a real-life murder mystery.
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Woman at Theatre
- (uncredited)
- Hot Dog Vendor
- (uncredited)
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Delivery Driver
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSteven Spielberg was just 24 when he helmed this episode. He had to be approved by Peter Falk before being allowed to direct. The two had a meeting beforehand and Falk was immediately won over by the young director's enthusiasm.
- GoofsWhen Columbo makes Joanna Ferris an omelet, he says: "I'll tell you what the secret is to a good omelet -- no eggs, just milk." She laughs at Columbo's mistake. [In the original script, the line is: "The secret is just eggs, no milk."]
- Quotes
Lieutenant Columbo: Suddenly I thought of something. How clever that first murder was. The phone gimmick, working late in the office - brilliant.
Ken Franklin: Are you awarding gold medals today?
Lieutenant Columbo: Yes. For the first one. Not for the second one. That was sloppy. Mrs. Melville, she'd have been very disappointed.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 24th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1972)
The episode once again looks good with the photography quite striking especially, and the music is haunting. The episode is very well directed by Steven Spielberg, it has some top notch writing and the premise like How to Dial a Murder is ingenious and given justice by a well written plot with many scenes to savour especially with Franklin.
The acting is very good, with Peter Falk exceptional and Jack Cassidy wonderfully smug. The two men work really well together too.
Overall, without being one of the best, it is an interesting one and is very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 24, 2011
Details
- Release date
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- Also known as
- Tödliche Trennung
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