Fade in to Murder
- Episode aired Oct 10, 1976
- TV-PG
- 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
An egotistical but successful star of a TV detective show murders his blackmailing producer and makes it look like a robbery.An egotistical but successful star of a TV detective show murders his blackmailing producer and makes it look like a robbery.An egotistical but successful star of a TV detective show murders his blackmailing producer and makes it look like a robbery.
Timothy Carey
- Tony
- (as Timothy Agoglia Carey)
John Finnegan
- Assistant Director
- (as J.P. Finnegan)
Frank Baxter
- Walter Gray
- (as Frank Emmett Baxter)
David Armstrong
- Stage Hand
- (uncredited)
Al Beaudine
- Stage Hand
- (uncredited)
Jack Berle
- Stage Hand
- (uncredited)
Dorothy Dells
- Julia
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe picture of Ward Fowler behind the couch in his living room is a head shot of William Shatner as Captain Kirk.
- GoofsWard Fowler draws a chalk circle on the back of Columbo's raincoat. Quite a bit earlier, when beside the "Jaws" pool, Columbo could be seen with that chalk circle already on his back.
- Quotes
Lieutenant Columbo: I sometimes have a silly effect on people. You know what I mean, just being a police lieutenant. You know, uh... At least I hope that's why.
- ConnectionsFeatured in VHS Revolution (2017)
- SoundtracksThis Old Man
(uncredited)
Traditional English children's counting folk song.
[Sung without words by Columbo (Peter Falk) while walking towards Fowler's dressing room.]
Featured review
Imagine...William Shatner playing a self-absorbed crime fighter!
Ward Fowler (William Shatner) is a successful television detective. However, his producer is taking advantage of him, as she knows he has a shady past and she threatens to expose him unless he gives her half his income. Not surprisingly, Ward is not pleased with this arrangement and it becomes the motive for his killing her. Using props from the studio, he stages a phony robbery and kills the woman.
When Lieutenant Columbo arrives on the scene, Ward behaves as if he, too, is a crime fighter. Again and again, this arrogant actor tells Columbo how to handle the case and time and again Columbo defers to the actor--pretending to be in awe of Fowler's detecting skills. Not surprisingly, Columbo gives the guy enough rope that eventually he does, figuratively, hang himself.
This was a very enjoyable installment of the series. Shatner was quite good as the egomaniac and the interplay between him and Peter Falk (Columbo) was quite enjoyable and clever. Overall, a very good episode with a well-conceived crime and investigation.
When Lieutenant Columbo arrives on the scene, Ward behaves as if he, too, is a crime fighter. Again and again, this arrogant actor tells Columbo how to handle the case and time and again Columbo defers to the actor--pretending to be in awe of Fowler's detecting skills. Not surprisingly, Columbo gives the guy enough rope that eventually he does, figuratively, hang himself.
This was a very enjoyable installment of the series. Shatner was quite good as the egomaniac and the interplay between him and Peter Falk (Columbo) was quite enjoyable and clever. Overall, a very good episode with a well-conceived crime and investigation.
helpful•91
- planktonrules
- Sep 17, 2019
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Mord im Bistro
- Filming locations
- The Enchanted Hill - 1441 North Angelo Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA(Ward Fowler's house, demolished)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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