Murder by the Book
- Episode aired Sep 15, 1971
- TV-PG
- 1h 16m
When one member of a mystery writing team wants to break from his less talented partner, he becomes the victim in a real-life murder mystery.When one member of a mystery writing team wants to break from his less talented partner, he becomes the victim in a real-life murder mystery.When one member of a mystery writing team wants to break from his less talented partner, he becomes the victim in a real-life murder mystery.
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Woman at Theatre
- (uncredited)
- Hot Dog Vendor
- (uncredited)
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Delivery Driver
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSteven Spielberg was just 24 when he helmed this episode. He had to be approved by Peter Falk before being allowed to direct. The two had a meeting beforehand and Falk was immediately won over by the young director's enthusiasm.
- GoofsWhen Columbo makes Joanna Ferris an omelet, he says: "I'll tell you what the secret is to a good omelet -- no eggs, just milk." She laughs at Columbo's mistake. [In the original script, the line is: "The secret is just eggs, no milk."]
- Quotes
Lieutenant Columbo: Suddenly I thought of something. How clever that first murder was. The phone gimmick, working late in the office - brilliant.
Ken Franklin: Are you awarding gold medals today?
Lieutenant Columbo: Yes. For the first one. Not for the second one. That was sloppy. Mrs. Melville, she'd have been very disappointed.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 24th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1972)
COMMENTARY: This was the first episode of the series after the two pilot movies and therefore has a shorter runtime of 75 minutes. It was directed & co-written by Steven Spielberg when he only 24 years-old, just a few years before his great success with "Jaws" (1975).
This is one of my favorite episodes of the series, highlighted by the conniving Cassidy, who would reappear in two future installments, the problematic "Publish or Perish" (1974) and the excellent "Now You See Him" (1976). He made for such a sly antagonist, but perished prematurely at the age of 49 in late 1976 from a house fire.
GRADE: A-
- Wuchakk
- Jan 18, 2019
Details
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- Also known as
- Tödliche Trennung
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