Fade in to Murder
- Episode aired Oct 10, 1976
- TV-PG
- 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
2.5K
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
A curious, patchily enjoyable Columbo yarn
Decently plotted and reasonably originally conceived Columbo Season 6 opener, which sees him square-off, rather interestingly, against an actor renowned for his portrayal of the television detective Lt. Lucerne (played by William Shatner) who murders his blackmailing ex-lover (the show's producer) in a made-to-look-like robbery.
The most noticeable thing about this episode is the inordinate amount of screen time between Columbo and murderer, which therefore places a heavier emphasis than normal on having a quality script. In this respect, the scenes are carefully drawn and many of them are executed in a pleasing style, particularly as we get more information on the murderer's motives behind his crime. Nevertheless, the playful style of Columbo's interfacing with his rival (which may be too strong a word) is not a particularly rewarding approach by the script-writer, who almost airs on the side of caution to maintain a lighter atmosphere than is often the case in Columbo adventures. This style also renders a lack of build-up to the conclusion, which with all the open-mindedness in the world, is very inauspicious and unsatisfying.
Shatner's performance is carefully executed but overly hammy; although he probably does everything he is asked of in the script, particularly in conveying his character's deep-rooted insecurity, which is rather heavily portrayed at the end as he tries to seek sympathy for his crime.
I especially liked the final piece of dialogue after Columbo collars the murderer: Lt. Lucerne to Columbo - "...you would do me a enormous favour if you would stop calling me sir...."
It's a very curious episode with positives and negatives in equal measure; perhaps the script-writer could have allowed Lt. Lucerne's character to possess more self-assuredness, particularly as he gifts Columbo evidence off and on during this adventure.
The most noticeable thing about this episode is the inordinate amount of screen time between Columbo and murderer, which therefore places a heavier emphasis than normal on having a quality script. In this respect, the scenes are carefully drawn and many of them are executed in a pleasing style, particularly as we get more information on the murderer's motives behind his crime. Nevertheless, the playful style of Columbo's interfacing with his rival (which may be too strong a word) is not a particularly rewarding approach by the script-writer, who almost airs on the side of caution to maintain a lighter atmosphere than is often the case in Columbo adventures. This style also renders a lack of build-up to the conclusion, which with all the open-mindedness in the world, is very inauspicious and unsatisfying.
Shatner's performance is carefully executed but overly hammy; although he probably does everything he is asked of in the script, particularly in conveying his character's deep-rooted insecurity, which is rather heavily portrayed at the end as he tries to seek sympathy for his crime.
I especially liked the final piece of dialogue after Columbo collars the murderer: Lt. Lucerne to Columbo - "...you would do me a enormous favour if you would stop calling me sir...."
It's a very curious episode with positives and negatives in equal measure; perhaps the script-writer could have allowed Lt. Lucerne's character to possess more self-assuredness, particularly as he gifts Columbo evidence off and on during this adventure.
helpful•303
- The Welsh Raging Bull
- Jul 13, 2005
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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