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Prescription: Murder

  • TV Movie
  • 1968
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
6.1K
YOUR RATING
Prescription: Murder (1968)
CrimeDramaMysteryThriller

A psychiatrist uses a patient he is having an affair with to help him kill his wife, but his perfect alibi may come apart at the hands of a seemingly befuddled LAPD lieutenant.A psychiatrist uses a patient he is having an affair with to help him kill his wife, but his perfect alibi may come apart at the hands of a seemingly befuddled LAPD lieutenant.A psychiatrist uses a patient he is having an affair with to help him kill his wife, but his perfect alibi may come apart at the hands of a seemingly befuddled LAPD lieutenant.

  • Director
    • Richard Irving
  • Writers
    • Richard Levinson
    • William Link
  • Stars
    • Peter Falk
    • Gene Barry
    • Katherine Justice
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    6.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Richard Irving
    • Writers
      • Richard Levinson
      • William Link
    • Stars
      • Peter Falk
      • Gene Barry
      • Katherine Justice
    • 65User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos30

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    Top cast22

    Edit
    Peter Falk
    Peter Falk
    • Lt. Columbo
    Gene Barry
    Gene Barry
    • Dr. Ray Flemming
    Katherine Justice
    Katherine Justice
    • Joan Hudson
    William Windom
    William Windom
    • Burt Gordon
    Nina Foch
    Nina Foch
    • Carol Flemming
    Virginia Gregg
    Virginia Gregg
    • Miss Petrie
    Andrea King
    Andrea King
    • Cynthia Gordon
    Susanne Benton
    Susanne Benton
    • The Blonde
    Ena Hartman
    • Nurse
    Sherry Boucher
    Sherry Boucher
    • Air Hostess
    Anthony James
    Anthony James
    • Tommy
    Frank Baker
    Frank Baker
    • Man in Park
    • (uncredited)
    Michelle Breeze
    Michelle Breeze
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Jim Creech
    Jim Creech
    • Policeman in Hospital
    • (uncredited)
    Ed Haskett
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Hitchcock
    • Pilot
    • (uncredited)
    Clark Howat
    Clark Howat
    • Doctor
    • (uncredited)
    Jeff Lawrence
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Richard Irving
    • Writers
      • Richard Levinson
      • William Link
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Columbo establishes two of his most famous trademarks by needing to borrow a pencil and, just before leaving the psychiatrist's office, by saying, "There's one more thing . . . ".
    • Goofs
      The outline of Carol Flemming's 'body' is on the floor, but since she survived the attack and died later in the hospital, (unless that was a ruse to trip-up the suspect) there would not have been a reason to mark off where the first responders found her, since injured people are removed and transported quickly to save their lives, and not subject to being traced before they are moved. Additionally, the location of the tape was not a match to where she was initially on the floor.
    • Quotes

      Lt. Columbo: But one thing bothers me, Doctor. This man that we're talking about has taken a human life. Now wouldn't you say that he was insane?

      Dr. Ray Flemming: Why? Because he committed an immoral act? Morals are conditioned, Lieutenant. They're relative, like everything else is today. Our murderer may be as sane as you and me. Killing may be repugnant to him, but if it's his only solution, he uses it. That pragmatism, my friend, not insanity.

      Lt. Columbo: Tell me, Doctor, how do you catch a man like that?

      Dr. Ray Flemming: You don't.

      Lt. Columbo: You're probably right. He sounds just too clever for us. What I mean is, you know, cops, we're not the brightest guys in the world. Of course, we got one thing going for us: we're professionals. I mean, you take our friend here, the murderer. He's very smart, but he's an amateur. I mean, he's got just one time to learn. Just one. And with us, well, with us, it's - it's a business. You see, we do this a hundred times a year. I'll tell ya, Doc. That's a lot of practice.

    • Crazy credits
      The beginning credits feature a series of brightly colored animated splotches. The splotches were meant to resemble the ink blots used in a Rorschach test, as the villain in this movie was a psychiatrist.
    • Connections
      Featured in Peter Falk versus Columbo (2019)

    User reviews65

    Featured review
    9/10

    original Columbo pilot film--a must-see for fans

    Now that the original 1967 pilot film for the Columbo character, PRESCRIPTION:MURDER (based on Levinson and Link's play), is available as part of the new Columbo DVD set, I hope that many more Columbo fans will be able to see the original interpretation of the character. I had never seen this before, and I was quite impressed. About 85% of the elements that comprised the Columbo "formula" are there, but Mr. Falk's hair is shorter and neater, the overcoat is not rumpled (as much), and Columbo is a bit more aggressive than we are used to based on the later shows. It took a second pilot film three years later for Columbo to get picked up as a series, but the magic was there in 1967 for this film. Don't miss it. Gene Barry is a fine sparring partner for Peter Falk, and no fan will be disappointed.
    • django-1
    • Sep 21, 2004
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 20, 1968 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Uporni detektiv
    • Filming locations
      • Stahl House, Case House 22 - 1635 Woods Drive, West Hollywood, California, USA(Home of character "Joan Hudson")
    • Production company
      • Universal Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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