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
Columbo learns about movies
A very good, and above average, Columbo episode. This is caused by that it makes small variations from the classic scheme. The motive of the murder isn't present at the beginning, which is something, that really improves the movie. Columbo is playing up against Dr. Eric Mason (nicely played by Nicol Williamson), who doesn't loose his temper as much as the characters that Columbo previously met.
The third main character, Joanne Nicholls, should have a special mention, since she is not only played extremely well - by Kim Cattrall, later of "Sex And The City" fame (however her role in this movie is the complete opposite, a true romantic who has her teddy bear as her true companion) - but also that her unbalanced character adds well to the movie plot.
And ad with that, some great incidental music, good directing spots (particularly in a wordless sequence with Columbo and the dog trainer), a generally good script(rarely have I laughed so much in a Columbo movie, and the many references to old movies - particularly Citizen Kane - and psychology are well-put and well used), and that Peter Falk seems in top shape makes it a great movie, and a Columbo classic.
The third main character, Joanne Nicholls, should have a special mention, since she is not only played extremely well - by Kim Cattrall, later of "Sex And The City" fame (however her role in this movie is the complete opposite, a true romantic who has her teddy bear as her true companion) - but also that her unbalanced character adds well to the movie plot.
And ad with that, some great incidental music, good directing spots (particularly in a wordless sequence with Columbo and the dog trainer), a generally good script(rarely have I laughed so much in a Columbo movie, and the many references to old movies - particularly Citizen Kane - and psychology are well-put and well used), and that Peter Falk seems in top shape makes it a great movie, and a Columbo classic.
helpful•102
- mortenwebstar2
- Apr 8, 2005
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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