The NBC Mystery Movie was the 'umbrella' title for one of many mystery series shown on a rotating basis (known as a 'wheel series'), in the same time slot on Sunday nights on NBC. The original 3 series featured,
Columbo (1971),
McMillan & Wife (1971) and
McCloud (1970). Later, several other (often short-lived) series were added to the rotation including
Hec Ramsey (1972),
Amy Prentiss (1974),
McCoy (1975),
Quincy M.E. (1976), and
Lanigan's Rabbi (1976). The "wheel" concept proved so popular that NBC started a second night on Wednesdays, featuring
Banacek (1972),
Cool Million (1972),
Madigan (1972),
Faraday and Company (1973),
Tenafly (1973), and
The Snoop Sisters (1972). Low ratings forced NBC to move the second wheel to Tuesdays, but it was still canceled in 1974. The Sunday wheel ran its course in 1978.
—Gislef