IMDb > "Columbo" Murder by the Book (1971)
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"Columbo" Murder by the Book (1971)


Photos (see all 11 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
Columbo: Seasons 1 - 7: Season 1: Episode 1 -- US Home Video Trailer from Universal TV
"Columbo" (1971): Season 1: Episode 1 -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   1,225 votes
Director:
Writers:
Steven Bochco (written by)
Richard Levinson (creator) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Murder by the Book on IMDbPro.
TV Series:
Original Air Date:
15 September 1971 (Season 1, Episode 1)
Plot:
Ken Franklin is a rich socialite living in a luxurious coastal mansion bought from his years of writing crime and mystery books... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Falk's Daughter Makes Her Case For Conservatorship In Court
 (From WENN. 28 May 2009, 12:15 PM, PDT)

Bullitt And Knight Rider's Autos Rev Up On Top Car List
 (From WENN. 4 February 2009, 11:45 PM, PST)

User Reviews:
Not prime Columbo. more (20 total)

Cast

 (Episode Cast) (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

Peter Falk ... Columbo
Jack Cassidy ... Ken Franklin
Rosemary Forsyth ... Joanna Ferris
Martin Milner ... Jim Ferris
Barbara Colby ... Lilly La Sanka
Lynette Mettey ... Gloria Jr. (as Lynnette Mettey)
Bernie Kuby ... Mike Tucker
Hoke Howell ... Sergeant

Marcia Wallace ... Woman (credit only)
Haven Earle Haley ... 2nd Reporter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Anitra Ford ... Woman at Theater (uncredited)
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Episode Crew
Directed by
Steven Spielberg 
 
Writing credits
Steven Bochco (written by)

Richard Levinson (creator) &
William Link (creator)

Produced by
Richard Levinson .... producer
William Link .... producer
Robert F. O'Neill .... associate producer
 
Original Music by
Billy Goldenberg 
 
Cinematography by
Russell Metty (director of photography) (as Russell L. Metty)
 
Film Editing by
John Kaufman  (as John Kaufman, Jr.)
 
Art Direction by
Archie J. Bacon  (as Arch Bacon)
 
Set Decoration by
Richard Friedman 
 
Production Management
Henry Kline .... unit manager
Henry Kline .... production manager (uncredited)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ralph Ferrin .... assistant director
 
Sound Department
David H. Moriarty .... sound
 
Stunts
Hubie Kerns Jr. .... stunts (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Burton Miller .... costumes
 
Editorial Department
Richard Belding .... editorial supervisor
Steve Johnson .... colorist (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Henry Mancini .... composer: theme
James D. Young .... music editor (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Steven Bochco .... story editor
Attila De Lado .... main title design (as Attila de Lado)
 
Crew believed to be complete


Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies
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Additional Details

Runtime:
73 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Finland:K-7 (2004) | Denmark:11 (2004) | Sweden:15 (2004) | Norway:15 (2004)
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The inscribed mystery novel that Ken Franklin gives to Miss LaSanka is titled "Prescription: Murder", the same title as the first Columbo movie, Prescription: Murder (1968) (TV). more
Goofs:
Continuity: Position of Ken Franklin's hands and arms whilst being interviewed by the female reporter at his home. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
[Jim works in his office]
Jim Ferris: [knock on the door] Who is it?
[another knock on the door]
Jim Ferris: [He opens the door - Ken is aiming a gun at his face. Jim laughs]
Ken Franklin: Oh, you're not intimidated.
Jim Ferris: Oh, come on, Ken. You're forgetting that I'm one-half of the world's greatest mystery-writing team? You, ah, don't have gloves on, your finger's not on the trigger, and there are no bullets in the cylinder.
Ken Franklin: [smiling] You're right. I'm a lousy practical joker.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Jeopardy!: (#22.52)" (2005) more
Soundtrack:
Love Theme from 'Red Sky At Morning' more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
6 out of 14 people found the following review useful.
Not prime Columbo., 28 February 2002
Author: yarborough from northridge, ca

While I do enjoy a lot of the Columbo episodes I have seen, I find this early one to be a poor entry and probably the worst one of the entire series. It wasn't that the series needed to adjust itself; the first Columbo, 1967s "Prescription Murder," is one of the best. In "Murder By the Book," the story is slow, terribly predictable, and the damning piece of evidence that proves the killer's guilt is a clue thrown in at the last minute, as if the writers couldn't figure out how to finish the episode. In addition, young Steven Speilberg's rookie directing here tries to create a sort of suspenseful intensity throughout Columbo's entire investigation, instead of building intensity as the episode goes. "Prescription Murder" builds intensity wonderfully. Also, here the killer works annoying close with Columbo, making it obvious to anyone that he is guilty. A poor entry.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Columbo" (1971)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Deja vu? (SPOILER) Senzaltro
Location of the cabin..... Senzaltro
Two things that bothers me dinandwoesthof
Dissapointed in the ending easmax
The parking on the roof (opening sequence) is as it was in 1971 octopusmagnificens
Columbo's Manner PatrickHarper
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