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Columbo
S4.E3
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By Dawn's Early Light

  • Episode aired Oct 27, 1974
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
By Dawn's Early Light (1974)
CrimeDramaMystery

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.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.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.

  • Director
    • Harvey Hart
  • Writers
    • Howard Berk
    • Richard Levinson
    • William Link
  • Stars
    • Peter Falk
    • Patrick McGoohan
    • Burr DeBenning
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    2.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Harvey Hart
    • Writers
      • Howard Berk
      • Richard Levinson
      • William Link
    • Stars
      • Peter Falk
      • Patrick McGoohan
      • Burr DeBenning
    • 42User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos8

    Peter Falk and Bruce Kirby in By Dawn's Early Light (1974)
    Sidney Armus in By Dawn's Early Light (1974)
    Patrick McGoohan in By Dawn's Early Light (1974)
    By Dawn's Early Light (1974)
    By Dawn's Early Light (1974)
    Peter Falk and Patrick McGoohan in By Dawn's Early Light (1974)
    Peter Falk and Patrick McGoohan in By Dawn's Early Light (1974)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Peter Falk
    Peter Falk
    • Columbo
    Patrick McGoohan
    Patrick McGoohan
    • Col. Lyle C. Rumford
    Burr DeBenning
    Burr DeBenning
    • Capt. Loomis
    Madeleine Sherwood
    Madeleine Sherwood
    • Miss Brady
    • (as Madeleine Thornton-Sherwood)
    Tom Simcox
    Tom Simcox
    • William Haynes
    Mark Wheeler
    Mark Wheeler
    • Cadet Roy Springer
    Bruce Kirby
    Bruce Kirby
    • Sergeant George Kramer
    • (as Bruce Kirby Sr.)
    Sidney Armus
    • Officer Corso
    Robert Clotworthy
    Robert Clotworthy
    • Boodle Boy…
    Karen Lamm
    Karen Lamm
    • Susan Gerard
    Bruno Kirby
    Bruno Kirby
    • Cadet Morgan
    • (as B. Kirby Jr.)
    Mike Lally
    • Detective
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Harvey Hart
    • Writers
      • Howard Berk
      • Richard Levinson
      • William Link
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Patrick McGoohan won an Emmy for his performance as Colonel Lyle C. Rumford in this episode.
    • Goofs
      Col. Rumford wears his cover (hat) indoors several times in the episode. Military hats are not to be worn indoors except in very special circumstances.
    • Quotes

      Col. Lyle C. Rumford: Do you have a first name?

      Lt. Columbo: I do. My wife is about the only one that uses it.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 27th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1975)
    • Soundtracks
      The Thunderer
      (uncredited)

      Written by John Philip Sousa

    User reviews42

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    A great way to remember Patrick McGoohan
    I totally agree with another post which suggests this episode and the episode "Any Old Port In A Storm" are two of the best Colombo shows made.

    The great thing about the Colombo character is that he is very human and as such he understands humanity. He doesn't seem to judge or moralise unless the killer hurts a woman. The best Colombo stories focus on the relationship that grows between the detective and the killer and this is one of those episodes.

    Just as in "Any Old Port In A Storm" the killer's way of life is about to be taken away from him, everything he holds dear is is in the hands of someone who just doesn't care. I suspect Col Rumsford (McGoohan) doesn't murder the victim just for his own sake but for the sake of the academy and the boys who attend there.

    Patrick McGoohan's performance in this show is exceptional, on the surface Col Rumsford is an un-sympathetic character, he is rigid, he reveals little of himself and he is very strict. But this isn't a two dimensional bad guy, we somehow sense that he is torn between blaming a cadet for the murder and succumbing to his instinct to protect the boy. McGoohan achieves this inner conflict with amazing subtlety and nuance. To be honest I didn't think he was capable of this level of acting, but I was quite moved by his performance.

    This episode is a great way to remember Patrick McGoohan, highly recommended.

    Be seeing you
    helpful•67
    3
    • buzzbomb-3
    • Jan 19, 2009

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 27, 1974 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Des Teufels Corporal
    • Filming locations
      • The Citadel - 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, South Carolina, USA(As Haynes Military Academy)
    • Production company
      • Universal Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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