How to Dial a Murder
- Episode aired Apr 5, 1978
- TV-PG
- 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
A behavioral psychologist whose wife died under suspicious circumstances trains his dogs to kill on command using a telephone.A behavioral psychologist whose wife died under suspicious circumstances trains his dogs to kill on command using a telephone.A behavioral psychologist whose wife died under suspicious circumstances trains his dogs to kill on command using a telephone.
Fred Jay Gordon
- Technician
- (as Fred J. Gordon)
Henry
- Columbo's Dog
- (uncredited)
Paul LeClair
- Audience Member
- (uncredited)
Richard Niehaus
- Audience Member
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOne of the many movie posters on display in Dr. Mason's house is for the thriller, The Suspect (1944), starring Charles Laughton. This is significant, as the structure of "The Suspect" prefigures the formula for "Columbo", presenting the viewer not only with a killer whose identity is known from the outset, but also a seemingly mild-mannered and polite police detective who befriends the killer and knowingly uses him as a sounding-board for his various theories about the crime. It is the close relationship between killer and detective thus formed that leads to the resolution of the story. It is not known if William Link and Richard Levinson, creators of "Columbo", ever saw this film.
- GoofsDr. Mason addresses Columbo as "Lieutenant" when they first see each other at the crime scene, even though they hadn't met yet. Then the detective introduces himself as Lieutenant Columbo.
However, the psychologist is seen exiting his own house where he can have asked a police officer who was in charge and where to find them.
- Quotes
Lt. Columbo: [trying to trigger the attack word for the dogs] Kill! Kiss! Diamonds! Rubies! Sneakers!
- ConnectionsReferenced in The Simpsons: Smoke on the Daughter (2008)
- SoundtracksThis Old Man
(uncredited)
Traditional English children's marching song
Whistled by Peter Falk
Featured review
Quintessential Columbo
My only complaints of this otherwise brilliant episode are the ending, which felt rather rushed for my liking though I loved the twist involving the dogs, and while she plays her part very well Kim Catrall's character does drag the episode down a tad.
However, How to Dial a Murder is evident proof of why I love Columbo so much. It has an ingenious premise that is done justice by a story that is clever and compelling. It has strong writing, with great interaction between Columbo and Mason and I cannot think of rosebud the same way now now that I have seen this episode. It is well shot, with striking locations and lovely photography. It also has one of the most haunting and most effective music scores I have heard in a Columbo episode.
The acting is great, and the direction is solid. Kim Catrall is good, but it is Columbo and Mason that make the episode work along with the premise. Peter Falk is exceptional once again, while Nicol Williamson does a wonderful job playing one of the most ruthless and most strongly written murderers in the Columbo line.
All in all, if you love Columbo, you'll love this. 9/10 Bethany Cox
However, How to Dial a Murder is evident proof of why I love Columbo so much. It has an ingenious premise that is done justice by a story that is clever and compelling. It has strong writing, with great interaction between Columbo and Mason and I cannot think of rosebud the same way now now that I have seen this episode. It is well shot, with striking locations and lovely photography. It also has one of the most haunting and most effective music scores I have heard in a Columbo episode.
The acting is great, and the direction is solid. Kim Catrall is good, but it is Columbo and Mason that make the episode work along with the premise. Peter Falk is exceptional once again, while Nicol Williamson does a wonderful job playing one of the most ruthless and most strongly written murderers in the Columbo line.
All in all, if you love Columbo, you'll love this. 9/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•223
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 24, 2011
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Mord per Telefon
- Filming locations
- Colonial Street, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA(N side, E of Elm St, Laramie Western Street as Callaghan Film Ranch, demolished)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 13 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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