Columbo
(1971–2003)
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.
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Title: By Dawn's Early Light (27 Oct 1974)
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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 / Jonathan B. Miller | |
| Karen Lamm | ... | Susan Gerard | |
| Bruno Kirby | ... | Cadet Morgan (as B. Kirby Jr.) | |
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Plot Summary
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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. Written by Kevin McCorry <mmccorry@nb.sympatico.ca>
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Of the four episodes of the series in which Patrick McGoohan appeared, this is the only one that he did not direct. See more »Goofs
During Colombo's supper in the school mess hall with the Colonel, Columbo's large serving of vegetables varies in size from large to small and back to large as he speaks to the Colonel. See more »Quotes
Lt. Columbo: You have to forgive me, it's not me, it's my mind, it's very slow, and I have to pin everything down.See more »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
27 October 1974 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Alle prime luci dell'alba See more »Filming Locations:
The Citadel - 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, South Carolina, USACompany Credits
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The episode was very good. However, the filming location of the episode is incorrect. The episode was filmed at The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. I know this because I am a cadet there. The error should be corrected.I really enjoyed this episode, even though I watched it at two in the morning. It was interesting to see how the campus looked back then.I liked it. But it was my first Columbo episode, and I am, admittedly, a little biased. The portrayal of cadet life at the school was pretty accurate. It left out the hazing and most of the Fourth Class System, which is much worse than portrayed. The acting was very well done.