MovieChat Forums > Prescription: Murder (1968) Discussion > How do you compare this to later 'Columb...

How do you compare this to later 'Columbo' episodes?

posted 19 years ago by J. Spurlin
34 replies | jump to latest

"Columbo" fans won't find their favorite detective in top form until the second pilot episode in 1971, with Lee Grant. A few problems with this one:

The very worst aspect of this TV movie is the cheesy, intrusive music. It's really godawful. When it's finally silent, you're tense, wondering if it's going to intrude again and spoil everything again.

Gene Berry isn't a bad villain. He's smooth and polished, just as the character requires. But his style is too artificial. If you see the second episode immediately afterwards (as I did when I watched both of them together on DVD), you notice that Lee Grant is a huge improvement. Grant is also smooth and polished, but she brings far more life into her character. Much, much more.

Berry's artificiality is reflected in much of the movie. The sets are phony-looking, especially the backdrop out Berry's window, which reveals his shadow at one point. Some of the dialogue is overbaked, especially in the scene where Columbo interrogates Berry's lover.

Berry's accomplice and lover is played by Katherine Justice. Her voice is remarkably similar to that of Jean Heather, who played Barbara Stanwyck's step-daughter in Double Indemnity. Both women are merely passable as actresses.

Peter Falk has one of his best scenes in the entire series. It's the one where Columbo and Berry sit in the office and play cat-and-mouse. Brilliantly written and beautifully played by both actors. Then Falk immediately has one of his worst scenes: the one where he interrogates Katherine Justice.

If anyone stumbles onto this lonely board, please let me know what you think.

... Justin

[–] Chuckles50 19 years ago

I actually like this Columbo, although Peter Falk is not as frumpy as the later episodes. I notice he carries his raincoat instead of wearing it all the time.

Gene Barry, on the other hand, is smooth and debonair. He really hasn't done much since this appearance, which is odd considering he was such a staple of the 60's with "Amos Burke" and "Bat Masterson." The one thing I found bizzare was that his character would be fishing in Mexico. He seems too uppity for such a hobby.

I noticed a continuity goof this afternoon and reported it to the imdb folks. In the apartment, Dr. Flemming uses his pocket square to keep his girlfriend from leaving fingerprints on the phone. He leaves it on top of the phone and never retrieves before they leave. Moments later, he has the hanky in his suit pocket at the airport. Oops!

[–] J. Spurlin 19 years ago

Dear Chuckles50,

Thanks for replying!

Gene Barry does retrieve that pocket square. The director moves in for an extreme close-up of the square lying on the phone. Suddenly, Barry picks it up and takes it with him. Did you see this on TV? I wouldn't be surprised if a TV editor cut out this essential bit to make room for more commercials.

I glanced at Barry's IMDb bio and saw that he had a major role on stage in the early 80s: He received a Tony nomination for "La Cage aux Folles."

I've never seen "Amos Burke" or "Bat Masterson." Have you seen the shows? Did you enjoy them?

Regards,

... Justin

[–] Chuckles50 19 years ago

Ah, so that explains it. You'd think a television editor would have more respect for the viewer than to splice out an important piece of information.

Wait a minute. The commercials pay his salary don't they? Hmmm, got make room for more ads.

Thanks for clearing that up. My guess is the script called for the hanky to be left there to tantalize the viewer, only to be retrieved by Dr. Flemming before he left for the airport.

As for "Amos Burke" and "Bat Masterson" those were great shows. In the former, Barry plays a wealthy detective in Hollywood who handles the cases of the rich and famous. I believe Aaron Spelling was behind this series, in which Amos Burke is chauffeured around in a Rolls Royce.

"Bat Masterson", on the other hand, is based on a real life figure of the old west. He carried only a cane for self-defense, no gun, and was always dressed to the nines.

[–] sevenmbaby-3 19 years ago

As far as the goof of the infamous handerchief goes...

I, too, noticed the mistake as first. But before I could boast of my keen eye to a co-viewer, the "goof" was cleared up - faster than it was made!

At the end of the scene, as a close-up of the abandoned handerchief on the telephone is taken, the audience hears the apartment door open again. Then, only the hand of the good doctor is seen, removing the incriminating evidence. Door then closes.

[–] MilesCo 19 years ago

Oh, that's bu11$#!t. I, too, noticed the handkerchief left on the phone and was a bit perplexed when nothing further was said or done about it. Now I know why.

It's bad enough when editors cut out relatively unimportant parts of shows and films. But to cut out crucial details like this? In a mystery movie? Whoever did this should be ashamed of himself.

[–] J. Spurlin 16 years ago

Infuriating, isn't it?

The handkerchief scene reminds me of two other movies. In Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, it appears that Norman Bates is going to leave the newspaper in which all the money is folded inside--then he picks it up and (to the audience's consternation) throws it in Marion's trunk, not realizing what's in it.

Steven Spielberg stole the handkerchief moment, to excellent effect, when he directed Columbo: Murder by the Book. Jack Cassidy looks as if he's going to forget his cigarette lighter--just before he picks it up.

... Justin

[–] wendysamuelson 13 years ago

yes and also the doctor uses the same 'almost forgotten' handkerchief to turn out the light thus no fingerprints!!!!

[–] cujokay 9 years ago

I've never seen "Amos Burke" or "Bat Masterson." Have you seen the shows? Did you enjoy them?

I loved Burke's Law; never saw Bat Masterson.

[–] ciphoid_9 19 years ago

My first impression was that it simply wasn't Columbo. I mean the basic element (reversed whodunnit) was there, but not Columbo's trademark method of solving the mystery. This time, when he came to a point where he couldn't solve the crime by logic and putting together the little pieces, he started a rude, psychological attack against the killer's accomplice, hoping to break her defense (which eventually succeeded). IMHO that was a weak, cheap, and totally unworthy "solution"! Columbo came across as an unsympathetic, spiteful little jerk, and his wooden antagonist Dr. Flemming (Gene Berry) didn't do any better, unfortunately. You couldn't identify with or root for either side, and the atmosphere was much too chilly and lifeless.

The murder story itself was okay, but some plot twists didn't pay off at all and looked artificial and constructed. For instance, the victim who initially survived (unconscious), awoke in hospital, repeatedly called her husband's name and... died instantly! What an obtuse way of inserting a clue - or desperately trying to create suspense? Anyway, it did absolutely nothing for the story, and neither did the failed setup with the retard who "confessed" the crime. BTW did you recognize that it was the guy from In the Heat of the Night?! And now check out his final scene from that movie compared to this one, LOL!

[–] J. Spurlin 16 years ago

I agree. I was amazed at how weak the solution was, compared to later episodes. I mean, this is the movie that was so popular, the network insisted on making a TV series out of it.

Still, it's easy to criticize it in hindsight. When it was made, no one had any other "Columbos" to compare it to. And it does have a lot of great stuff in it.

... Justin

[–] nitratestock35 12 years ago

Wow, this discussion started in 2005. It is certainly "spread out".

My first impression was: This definitely is not your typical Culumbo episode. Peter Falk looks much younger here, with shorter hair, well kempt and not wearing his raincoat all the time. There is also clearly a 60s vibe to this movie. It is impressive how everything looks already decidedly 70s in the second pilot - and Peter Falk and the overall vibe almost doesn't seem to change at all up until the last episode of the original series in 1978.

I agree: that one interrogation scene where Columbo raises his voice and threatens to break down the Doctor's lover is out of place. I can think of two reasons: 1)Coumbo's over politeness and seeming incompetence are clearly being established as just an act, he can get nasty and hard boiled if needed; 2) these still were the 60s: women still could be treated like that. Fortunately this changes immediately in the second pilot. I also can see that Peter Falk still didn't have his act 100% together (neither had the director).

The one really great thing is the long dialog between Columbo and the Psychiatrist - where a LOT is explained and provides the key to fully understanding the entire series and what makes Columbo tick and also why even average-witted police investigators do have an advantage over an intelligent and clever murderer (very well explained by Columbo). Great writing!

Ant yep: I agree Dave Grusin's music is horrible, annoying and intrusive. But that's late 60s film music for you. In the series the music was just great: not too much, not too dramatic, just misteriously, suble parts for the string section, with that beautiful, ominous low percussion instrument playing an ascending scale(I never figured out if it was a belltree or some sort of glass harp)and nice atonal piano parts - and even sometimes a little charming in places hinting at british crime stories by using the harpsichord Mrs. Maple style (but more subtle).

[–] phillipsdan83 (99) 4 years ago

PRESCRIPTION: MURDER wasn't meant to be a pilot: It simply was so successful that people wanted more of Columbo. As a stand alone, it's a compelling clash of wits between two highly intelligent, manipulative bastards. Bastard Number One conceals his sociopathic nature under a veneer of smooth charm, and Bastard Number Two hides a bulldog tenacity under a fumbling facade. As a COLUMBO episode, you can see why they softened Columbo's agressiveness and played up the folksy eccentricity...the bastard in PRESCRIPTION: MURDER isn't someone to center a series around.

[–] cujokay 9 years ago

I was amazed at how weak the solution was, compared to later episodes.

Baby steps. It took time for Columbo to develop into the Lt. we know and love. I especially like this episode BECAUSE of that reason.

We get to see Columbo before he had his stuff down pat. It shows how much he grew from the pilot episode to the Columbo we know and love today.

[–] feodoric 12 years ago

I just viewed that episode and I completely agree with ciphoid-9: Columbo does come out as a total jerk when he pushes the psychiatrist's lover to the brink of a nervous breakdown, screaming at her at some point (the little shy detective angry as hell? How totally un-Columboesque!!!). And what can I say of the final set-up with the false suicide as a tactic to make the psychiatrist speak? The writer(s) lacked imagination for this one, to say the least. There is no such thing as the perfect crime according to everything Columbo showed us during all the following years. Really bizarre to start a series with such an atypical, grotesque script (was it meant that way? was this an actual pilot?). However, regardless of the rest, it has its moments, so it is not unpleasant to watch after all...

[–] cujokay 9 years ago

I mean the basic element (reversed whodunnit) was there, but not Columbo's trademark method of solving the mystery.

I know what you mean but to be fair it is the pilot episode so Columbo didn't really have a "trademark method of solving the mystery"

As the show continued, they fleshed out his character and became the show we now love. I have two sons in their 30s and there's certain episodes they love. When one records, I call and they'll come watch with me.

[–] joenscott 7 years ago

"he started a rude" I hate it when I'm an accomplice to murder and then someone's rude.

[–] moffieboi 18 years ago

I liked it quite a lot. Less of the typical "Colombo" cliches and a remarkable young and fresh Colombo.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] J. Spurlin 16 years ago

That's true that the series is a very artificial construct. And Barry does have a great voice.

... Justin

[–] J. Spurlin 16 years ago

His youth almost cost him the part. Columbo was supposed to be an old guy, and was played on stage by an old guy (the great character actor, Thomas Mitchell: that is, Uncle Billy from It's a Wonderful Life and Scarlett's father in Gone with the Wind).

... Justin

[–] tsrts 17 years ago

This was a fun episode.
I agree about the music, it wasn't too good.
The hanky on the phone scene was well done and Hitchcock like.
My only beef was the scene where the guy confessed to the killing.
It just seemed odd.

[–] Rita314 17 years ago

I have the first and second seasons on DVD but this episode is the last of the 1st season so I think it's just because it's an european editon and they probably messed it up.

This is one of my favourite episodes. I really liked Columbo being agressive and all the psychological thing he did to the killer's accomplice. And the phone scene and the talking about Columbo's character. And I also liked the fact that his wife (who died) was still alive when he arrived. And the fact that he used a double to commit the crime and then Columbo used a double against him to make him talk and then because of what he said when he thought she was dead, she confessed.

I really don't understand why people didn't like this episode. It made me think of Hitchcocks's Vertigo because of the doubles. Really nice.

[–] J. Spurlin 16 years ago

I hadn't thought of the doubling theme, or the similarity to Vertigo (my favorite movie).

... Justin

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] J. Spurlin 16 years ago

I do like Columbo's rare outbursts of anger--not so much in this episode as in later ones, such as "A Stitch in Crime" with Leonard Nimoy. And I like that they're rare; it makes them all the more enjoyable when they happen.

... Justin

[–] chandler-47 15 years ago

Imo this movie was terrible. There was no logic at at all in this flick, f.e. the time when the murder happened was before the plane took off. Stupid.

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[–] J. Spurlin 15 years ago

"... the time when the murder happened was before the plane took off." I don't remember that being an issue. I haven't seen Prescription: Murder since I posted this three years ago. I remember liking the story, even though the trick ending is less clever than the endings in the best episodes. I disliked the cheesy, overbearing music.

...Justin

[–] carryall 15 years ago

While I like the post-91 entries a lot, this Columbo film was a quintessential one and offers great turnarounds and acting. I think the worst Columbo episodes are the early ones in the first season, like "Death Lends a Hand" or "Dead Weight". I also don't care for Steven Spielberg's episode, it's a bit overrated IMHO.

[–] J. Spurlin 15 years ago

I have to say, I thoroughly enjoy Spielberg's episode. I've re-watched it more than any other. I also enjoyed Death Lends a Hand with Robert Culp. Dead Weight was okay; but Suzanne Pleshette and Kate Reid (as the witness and her mother) were more interesting than the villain (Eddie Albert).

...Justin

[–] AaronCapenBanner 12 years ago

I thought this compares quite well with the subsequent series,which follows the second pilot. Though this is technically a film,I put it in my top 5 episodes.

Watch out when Columbo gets mad,because it reveals just how crafty and sly he really is.

Peter Falk was indelible in his signature role.

[–] im2cool4 10 years ago

Not much comedy in this one as supposed to later in the series but it is a GREAT episode. This is in my top 5 columbo episodes as well.

prescription murder
murder by the book
A stitch in crime
any old port in a storm
try and catch me

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