How to Dial a Murder
- Episode aired Apr 5, 1978
- TV-PG
- 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
2.7K
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
One for animal lovers
Made in 1978, HOW TO DIAL A MURDER is one of the best of the Columbo series and features one of the most memorable methods of murder that the show had to offer. Guest villain Nicol Williamson plays a psychologist who has trained his dogs to kill on command and figures out a way to get them to take out a rival who he discovered had an affair with Williamson's late wife.
It's a gruesome way to die and HOW TO DIAL A MURDER makes no bones about yet. And yet...when the murder weapon is a pair of lovable Dobermans called Laurel and Hardy, it's difficult to dislike or even be frightened of the dogs. Columbo, who we know has an affinity with man's best friend, is of the same mindset and his interactions with the animals are the best bit of this story.
Williamson also makes for an imposing villain and I particularly liked the way he is depicted as a fan of classic cinema, allowing for some great off-topic talks about W. C. Fields and the like. Kim Cattrall plays in support in one of her early performances while Falk himself is on strong form, acting much like a dog himself in refusing to drop the case or let Williamson rest for a moment.
It's a gruesome way to die and HOW TO DIAL A MURDER makes no bones about yet. And yet...when the murder weapon is a pair of lovable Dobermans called Laurel and Hardy, it's difficult to dislike or even be frightened of the dogs. Columbo, who we know has an affinity with man's best friend, is of the same mindset and his interactions with the animals are the best bit of this story.
Williamson also makes for an imposing villain and I particularly liked the way he is depicted as a fan of classic cinema, allowing for some great off-topic talks about W. C. Fields and the like. Kim Cattrall plays in support in one of her early performances while Falk himself is on strong form, acting much like a dog himself in refusing to drop the case or let Williamson rest for a moment.
- Leofwine_draca
- Jul 11, 2016
- Permalink
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
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content