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Columbo
S1.E7
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IMDbPro

Blueprint for Murder

  • Episode aired Feb 9, 1972
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 1h 15m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
Pamela Austin in Blueprint for Murder (1972)
CrimeDramaMystery
Elliot Markham, a brilliant architect and con-man, murders a Texas millionaire and hides his body in order to keep his visionary construction project financed.Elliot Markham, a brilliant architect and con-man, murders a Texas millionaire and hides his body in order to keep his visionary construction project financed.Elliot Markham, a brilliant architect and con-man, murders a Texas millionaire and hides his body in order to keep his visionary construction project financed.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
    • Peter Falk
  • Writers
    • Steven Bochco(teleplay by)
    • William Kelley(story by)
    • Richard Levinson
  • Stars
    • Peter Falk
    • Patrick O'Neal
    • Janis Paige
    • Peter Falk
  • Writers
    • Steven Bochco(teleplay by)
    • William Kelley(story by)
    • Richard Levinson
  • Stars
    • Peter Falk
    • Patrick O'Neal
    • Janis Paige
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 25User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    John Finnegan and Patrick O'Neal in Blueprint for Murder (1972)
    Blueprint for Murder (1972)
    Peter Falk and Patrick O'Neal in Blueprint for Murder (1972)
    Peter Falk and Patrick O'Neal in Blueprint for Murder (1972)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Peter Falk
    Peter Falk
    • Columbo
    Patrick O'Neal
    Patrick O'Neal
    • Elliot Markham
    Janis Paige
    Janis Paige
    • Goldie Williamson
    Pamela Austin
    Pamela Austin
    • Jennifer Williamson
    John Fiedler
    John Fiedler
    • Doctor
    Forrest Tucker
    Forrest Tucker
    • Bo Williamson
    Bettye Ackerman
    Bettye Ackerman
    • Miss Sherman
    John Finnegan
    John Finnegan
    • Carl
    Nick Dennis
    Nick Dennis
    • Guard
    Robert Gibbons
    • Clerk
    Cliff Carnell
    Cliff Carnell
    • Officer Wilson
    Jimmy Joyce
    • Workman
    Ella Mae Brown
    Ella Mae Brown
    • Dedication Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Cole
    • Photographer at Dedication
    • (uncredited)
    Ken DuMain
    • Man in Line
    • (uncredited)
    Len Felber
    • Dedication Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Bart Greene
    • Workman
    • (uncredited)
    Bob Harks
    Bob Harks
    • Dedication Guest
    • (uncredited)
      • Peter Falk
    • Writers
      • Steven Bochco(teleplay by)
      • William Kelley(story by)
      • Richard Levinson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The only Columbo episode directed by Peter Falk.
    • Goofs
      When a motorcycle cop asks Elliot Markham for his license and registration, Markham gives the cop Lt. Columbo's police ID. Apparently, the ID with Peter Falk's photo was just reused as a prop license, rather than having one specifically made with Elliot Markham's photo and details on it.
    • Quotes

      Columbo: Ya see, I figured you had the body somewhere, but what you really wanted was a fool-proof hiding place. Now what's better than a place that's already been searched - and at considerable cost and my embarrassment?

    • Connections
      Featured in La Une est à vous: Episode #1.16 (1973)

    User reviews25

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    One of my favourite Columbo episodes, and hits all the right buttons
    I have been a big Columbo fan for a while now, and Blueprint for Murder is one of my favourites. The episode is a little slow-moving, my only minor complaint, other than that for me this is quintessential Columbo and hits all the right buttons.

    The episode looks striking, what a vast majority of the Columbo episodes have in common is that they are great to look at and Blueprint for Murder is no exception. The photography is very good, while the locations and costumes are very pleasing to the eye. The music is great, fits right into the 70s and doesn't interfere too much with any crucial scenes. Blueprint for Murder is for me one of the more cleverly written episodes, it has a great mix of being funny and suspenseful, and the story is always interesting and crafty.

    The acting is very well done. Peter Falk is brilliant in the lead, as he always was, and he directs very well too. Patrick O'Neal is a perfect foil for him, Elliot Markham is one of the most memorable and craftiest culprits in the Columbo line in my view, and O'Neal's performance and how he interacts with Falk is part of the reason why.

    All in all, great Columbo mystery. 9/10 Bethany Cox
    helpful•34
    2
    • TheLittleSongbird
    • Feb 25, 2011

    Details

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    • Release date
      • February 9, 1972 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • California Institute of Technology - 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 15 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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