Prescription: Murder (1968) (TV)

Director:

Richard Irving

Writers:

Richard Levinson (teleplay) &
William Link (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

20 February 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Psychiatrist | Alibi | Investigation | Detective

Cast

Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Gene Barry	...	Dr. Ray Flemming
Katherine Justice	...	Joan Hudson
William Windom	...	Burt Gordon
Nina Foch	...	Carol Flemming
Virginia Gregg	...	Miss Petrie
Andrea King	...	Cynthia Gordon
Susanne Benton	...	The Blonde
Ena Hartman	...	Nurse
Sherry Boucher	...	Air Hostess
Anthony James	...	Tommy

Also Known As:

Columbo: Prescription Murder

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-7 (2004) | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills Police Department - 464 N Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Universal TV

Trivia:

This is the first of two pilot movies made before Columbo became part of the Mystery Movie wheel that played on television for most of the 1970s.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Dr. Flemming is talking with Lt. Colombo in his office, the doctor's glass swaps from his left hand to his right between shots.

Quotes:

Dr. Ray Flemming: I didn't think you'd be up.
Carol Flemming: Don't bother to undress. You're sleeping in the guest room. I've turned down the bed.
Dr. Ray Flemming: Carol...
Carol Flemming: I think you should know I'm calling my lawyers in the morning.
Dr. Ray Flemming: It's been a long day. Do we have to start on that again?
Carol Flemming: You'll have to indulge me just this one last time, dearie. It's lucky for you I'm too well-bred to throw a tantrum.
Dr. Ray Flemming: All right. Fire away.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Have I Got News for You: (#34.8)" (2007)

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.