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Columbo
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Murder by the Book

  • Episode aired Sep 15, 1971
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 1h 16m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
Jack Cassidy in Murder by the Book (1971)
CrimeDramaMystery
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.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
    • Steven Spielberg
    • Steven Bochco
    • Richard Levinson
    • William Link
  • Stars
    • Peter Falk
    • Jack Cassidy
    • Rosemary Forsyth
    • Steven Spielberg
    • Steven Bochco
    • Richard Levinson
    • William Link
  • Stars
    • Peter Falk
    • Jack Cassidy
    • Rosemary Forsyth
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 46User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

    Peter Falk and Rosemary Forsyth in Murder by the Book (1971)
    Peter Falk in Murder by the Book (1971)
    Peter Falk in Murder by the Book (1971)
    Murder by the Book (1971)
    Jack Cassidy in Murder by the Book (1971)
    Jack Cassidy in Murder by the Book (1971)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Peter Falk
    Peter Falk
    • Columbo
    Jack Cassidy
    Jack Cassidy
    • Ken Franklin
    Rosemary Forsyth
    Rosemary Forsyth
    • Joanna Ferris
    Martin Milner
    Martin Milner
    • Jim Ferris
    Barbara Colby
    Barbara Colby
    • Lilly La Sanka
    Lynnette Mettey
    Lynnette Mettey
    • Gloria Jr.
    Bernie Kuby
    Bernie Kuby
    • Mike Tucker
    Hoke Howell
    Hoke Howell
    • Sergeant
    Marcia Wallace
    Marcia Wallace
    • Woman
    Haven Earle Haley
    • 2nd Reporter
    Leon Alton
    Leon Alton
    • Theatre Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Baker
    Frank Baker
    • Theatre Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Buckingham
    • Theatre Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Anitra Ford
    Anitra Ford
    • Woman at Theatre
    • (uncredited)
    Ralph Gambina
    • Hot Dog Vendor
    • (uncredited)
    Bobby Gilbert
    • Theatre Patron
    • (uncredited)
    George Golden
    • Theatre Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Griffin
    Jack Griffin
    • Delivery Driver
    • (uncredited)
      • Steven Spielberg
      • Steven Bochco
      • Richard Levinson
      • William Link
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The inscribed mystery novel that Ken Franklin gives to Miss LaSanka is titled "Prescription: Murder", the same title as the first Columbo movie, Prescription: Murder (1968).
    • Goofs
      When 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.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 24th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1972)
    • Soundtracks
      Love Theme from 'Red Sky At Morning'
      Composed by Billy Goldenberg

      Heard during the bar scene

    User reviews46

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    First "Columbo" series episode
    Peter Falk's third appearance as Columbo (after a pair of two-hour NBC World Premiere Movies) officially kicked off the "Columbo" series, as well as the "NBC Mystery Movie" in September 1971.

    Filmed after the superior "Death Lends a Hand," but aired first, it has the distinction of having been directed by Steven Spielberg in those days before "Jaws" when he was still cranking out episodic television on the backlot of Universal. There are some smart directorial touches, particularly in the opening scenes where the sound of Martin Milner's typewriter serves as the sole soundtrack, but this a disappointing episode overall.

    As the less talented half of a famous mystery writing team (not unlike Richard Levinson and William Link, "Columbo"'s creators), Jack Cassidy makes a classy villain, one who would be invited to square off against Peter Falk on two more occasions (including season three's "Publish or Perish" which was also set against a publishing background). Unfortunately, Steven Bochco's script drags along, making this a frequently dull episode. Worse, the denouement finds Columbo wrapping things up based on flimsier than usual evidence. Had the killer not confessed, he could have walked away from his crime.

    Still, Peter Falk is terrific, and makes it worth watching.

    Brian W. Fairbanks
    helpful•26
    6
    • bwaynef
    • Apr 21, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 15, 1971 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Deer Trail Lane, Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Television
      • Universal Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 16 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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