(This is actually a review for the Columbo episode Murder by the Book, which was the very first episode once it became a series in 1971. This is the best way for me to talk about this topic in the future, as TV shows can’t be reviewed on this platform… yet. I stumbled upon some random person on Twitter proclaiming that this will change “soon”, but who knows if that’s even true.)
Last June I reviewed 1968’s Prescription: Murder, which was the first pilot movie that introduced Peter Falk as the Columbo character. People here and elsewhere gave me suggestions for episodes to see; about time I went to Tubi to finally watch an episode once in awhile, right? To do some copying and pasting of what I wrote in the Murder review:
“To clarify, this and another movie of similar length were pilots to a TV show that had a few episodes per year for most of the 70's. It and a few other shows of the same format were on NBC on a program known as The NBC Mystery Movie. Episodes were 90 minutes and they alternated between Columbo and a few other similar detective programs. That format is so alien now it had to be elaborated upon.
Anyhow, it was nice to see Peter Falk in his iconic role… he looked & dressed shabby, was forgetful, disarmed people by later revealing his intelligence, etc. The format of each Columbo episode itself was also different: instead of the viewer attempting to solve the crime along with the detective, we get to see the crime happen then our favorite Lieutenant attempting to crack the case despite the best efforts of the perpetrator or perpetrators.”
It wasn’t until the end credits that I realized… oh yeah, it was SPIELBERG who directed Murder by the Book, a delicious tale (and 4 star affair) where one half of a famous mystery writing duo murders the other shortly after the partnership ends. How couldn’t you be enticed by the idea of Columbo attempting to solve a killing perpetrated by a haughty writer who thinks he committed “the perfect murder”? The trademarks are already present: shabby raincoat, cigar, Peugeot 403 car, and the catchphrases “There’s something that bothers me” & “Just one more thing.” It was great seeing him outwit the criminal, although the most likeable aspect was seeing him comfort the wife of the murder victim by taking her away from the crime scene then making her an omelette at her house.
A tragic epilogue was the fate of Barbara Colby, the actor who portrayed the most entertaining character: the nosy store owner Lilly La Sanka. She and a friend were murdered one night in 1975 after leaving acting class; it was either a hit or a random killing. Either way, the case is still unsolved today so talk about the tragic loss of life where two young people were senselessly killed. As I don’t want the last words to be a total bummer… this was a well-directed episode where the story should satisfy many mystery fans.
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