Customer Reviews

Columbo: Prescription for Murder (The Premiere Collection) [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

People forget that "Columbo" started out not as a 1970s TV series, but as a single TV movie in 1968 that pitted an arrogant genius against a streetwise bulldog of a detective. Falk is wonderful as a criminal's worst nightmare-a rumpled little man who disarms his opponents with his cheap suits and scatterbrained demeanor. In "Prescription: Murder," Columbo is considerably more polished-and aggressive-than in the TV series in his attempt to take down a psychiatrist (played regally by the always-polished Gene Barry) who's murdered his wife in what he thinks is the perfect crime. The production is sumptuous for television fare, with sets and color that rival cinema productions of the time, and even if all of the Columbo telefilms essentially copy Alfred Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder," the story is quite satisfying. As was standard for the time, the best part of "Prescription: Murder" is watching two great actors spar with each other in a plot that is more chessmatch than car chase. They just don't make them like this anymore.

The first installment of the Columbo series is an interesting look at an early version of the classic Columbo persona. Falk plays a detective a little more obviously clever than later incarnations of the character, and one a little more willing to show anger. A doctor, with the help of a struggling actress, kills his aging wife. Columbo soon finds the actress is the weak link. The doctor, played by Gene Barry, is a particularly egotistical adversary. This is one of the best. END

I don't know if this made-for-TV movie was intended as a series pilot, as it isn't obvious from the way it was put together, but whether it was or not has nothing to do with the quality of the film. It's excellent. We have been accustomed by now to expect the rumpled-looking, cigar-smoking, affable-but-apparently-ditzy detective "with just one more question, sir/ma'm..." These qualities exist in the pilot but not at all to the same degree. This earliest Columbo is a much more clever-seeming man, with less of the schtick we've come to know and love, and more of the raw power of his intellect and his relentless probing energy. Columbo badgers a reluctant witness/accomplice!!!! I don't think we ever see that again in any of the rest of the series. That scene absolutely takes one's breath away, used as we are to a much gentler, more cajoling manner-even with the miscreants [or perhaps especially with the miscreants.] Gene Barry, who plays the criminal mastermind, does an excellent job as a conniving, almost evil adulterer (...). He is a psychiatrist, and we are treated to a psychological reading of why Columbo uses his camoflague of the wrinkled raincoat, the sheepish expression, the shy and affable but continual pestering. I won't reveal what it is, but it is interesting. Columbo takes it for what it's worth, and the audience will too. If you are a Columbo fan, I highly recommend viewing it.

Most pilots of successful televsion series are in a "raw" form, i.e. the formula that subsequently works well and the chemistry between the characters in the series has not been fully developed. Therefore fans of the series are often disappointed in the pilot. That is most definitely NOT the case with this film. All the main features that made Columbo so good are present here (except for his old Peugeot 403 convertible!). Falk puts in as good a performance as any of his subsequent ones and the script is superb. We see Columbo's eye for detail and the battle of wits between the detective and the suspect. Gene Barry puts in a fine performace as the murderer. The popularity of the Columbo series proves that a program does not need a lot of "action" (fist fights, gun battles, car chases, etc) in order to be spellbinding. Incidentally, one little item to watch for is the fact that the camera usually focuses on the right side of Peter Falk's face where we see his artificial eye and the surgical scar which was a result of the operation to remove his eye when he was a child. I believe this was done deliberately because it makes him look a little "strange" which emphasizes his outwardly slovenly appearance which is a key to his character.

Dr. Ray Flemming (played by Gene Barry) has it all, he's a rich psychiatrist, has powerful friends, and has a beautiful mistress. But, with his wife threatening to pull it all down in a messy divorce, Dr. Flemming decides that it is time to kill her off in the perfect murder. But, disaster strikes when into his apartment walks a little man in a rumpled raincoat, police Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk). Now, with Columbo hot on his trail, Dr. Flemming only needs to keep everything together, but he has one weak link... [Color, released in 1968, with a running time of 1 hour, 33 minutes.]

This movie was produced in 1968, and is indeed the first Columbo show ever made! The music and fashions are definitely 1960s, with big hairdos and cat-eye glasses, and no jeans to be seen. Peter Falk looks young (about 40 years old), but other than that, all of the elements are there - the rumpled raincoat, the pretence of simplicity, the cigar, and the doggedness that marked all of Columbo's career.

My wife and I are real mystery fans, and have always loved the Columbo shows. Well, this one is just as great, and is a real joy to watch! A little more polished than subsequent Columbos, but that just helps to make this a real joy. So, what I say is, this is a great mystery - if you can buy it, then boy it! You won't regret it!

For those old enough to remember Columbo was I think one of a family of tv movies that were all part of 'The Sunday Mystery Movie'. Some of the other mystery types shows in the group were McMillan And Wife and a cowbody type detective (Dennis Weaver ?).

The Columbo series is a true classic. I don't think I've ever seen an episode of Columbo that I didn't like.

'Prescription Murder' was the premier episode for the Columbo series. The Columbo character in this first movie is a little different than the other episodes I've seen. The series creators made some adjustments to the character after this movie. They generally softenned up the character in the later episodes even including giving him a softer hair style. However that's what makes this movie interesting also.

The villain in this case is a psychiatrist who gives Columbo a psychological evaluation. This is interesting. It really defines the character as far as he lulls people into a sense of false security while constantly waiting for the suspect to get careless and reveal something.

If I recall correctly Peter Falk played a bad guy in 'Murder Incorporated' but I don't think that was a great casting job.
True greatness in a movie character I think requires perfect casting. The casting of Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo was a stroke of genius by someone. I suspect perfect casting only occurs when the character shares some personality traits with the actor in real life.

For some reason just lately I was thinking about the Columbo movies and I took out the videos and watched a lot of them again. It's probably a sign that something is good when you can watch them many times and still enjoy them.

There's usually some pretty girls in the Columbo movies and this one is no exception.

These movies are good too because they get into human nature and the good and evil in people.

The plots themselves are totally contrived and would never really happen. In real life civilians would never be allowed to interact so closely with detectives. Also many things that Columbo does to catch people are against the law in real life such as tricking people.

But that doesn't hurt the movies at all. In fact if they were more realistic they probably wouldn't be any fun to watch.

Columbo - The Complete Sixth and Seventh Seasons

The first TV pilot of COLUMBO, PRESCRIPTION: MURDER, was broadcasted on Feb. 20th, 1968, more than three years before the broadcasting of the first episode. It's also possible to see this pilot in the DVD standard by purchasing Columbo - The Complete First Season. Gene Barry, the first mean guy who ever confronted Columbo, is mostly appreciated by movie buffs because he starred in two Samuel Fuller films : Forty Guns and China Gate.

We have to accept it: there is a huge difference between this pilot and the Columbo episodes of the first season. For example, PRESCRIPTION: MURDER looks a lot more like a stage play and still belongs to the TV world of the sixties. But there are also in it a few sparkles that announce the grandness of the first episodes. I'm specially thinking here about the scene when Dr. Ray Flemming, a psychiatrist, dissects the way and the recipes Columbo uses with the suspects. This scene alone is worth the 99 minutes of this TV movie.

A VHS for the Columbo buffs.

When Peter Falk as Columbo utters the words, "Uhhh, just one more question...", we know he is on to his prime suspect. And what's more, the suspect knows it too!

"Prescription Murder" aired in 1968, was the pilot movie for the enduring and fun "Columbo" series. The audience, always knowing, right from the beginning who the murderer was of each episode, had the fun and pleasure of watching Columbo unraveling the mystery, as he made squirming paranoids out of the main suspects, who usually started out as cool and collected, with intricate plans and never thinking they left a trail.

In each episode, there was always great guest stars. The biggest star usually being the perp. In "Prescription Murder", it is Gene Barry,(who had his own hit series in the 60's, on which he was the cop, in "Burke's Law"), a prominent psychiatrist who devises and carries out what he thinks is a fool proof plan to murder his wife(she had all the money, of course). Columbo dogs him from the get go, and you begin to wonder just who is analyzing who in the Dr. Vs. Detective dialogue! At one point after being gnawed away at by Columbo's innocent little questions, Barry tells him, "You know, you are like a sly little elf, who should be sitting under a toad stool somewhere!"

It's always a wonderful cat and mouse game, and this pilot episode should get you rehooked on this fabulous series. William Windom also stars as Barry's buddy, and happens to be a D.A, that makes things just a little tougher(but of course, not impossible) for our guy Columbo.

Here is a link to another edition, so you can check for best deals and availabilityColumbo Collector's Edition (Prescription: Murder).If you really love this fabulous series, this vintage episode along with the 8 other greats of the first season, including "Murder By The Book", directed by Steven Spielberg, is sold in a beautiful DVD set, and is probably the best way to go for fans. Seasons 2 - 7 are also out now.

Get a clue...with Columbo!...enjoy...Laurie

This pilot episode is terrific. This original episode was the beginning of one of the best TV series of all time with great writing, excellent acting and a all-around quality production.

In this episode, Dr. Ray Flemming, a rich and highly intelligent psychiatrist, who seems to have it all, attempts the perfect crime. It is Columbo against Dr. Flemming in a battle of wits which is just terrific television.

This old Sunday-night drama special - based on Richard Levinson and William Link's light, commercial, conventional Broadway thriller (though it never actually made Broadway) - would lie in the shadow of Frederick Knott's theatre work and a dozen anthology shows, were it not for the appearance of a certain Mr Columbo. Seen out of context the film looks pretty routine, but the fans of the ensuing series will enjoy witnessing the establishment of the Columbo formula. As ever, a killer's beautifully thought-out plan is blown to pieces by the obsession with detail and ruthless logic of our hero, the latter trying to trip him up over his own words, making subtle insinuations at every opportunity, and flashing a cherubic smile when he suspects his adversary is too tense to give himself away. Both killers and the old boy himself would later utilise more complex and ingenious strategies when playing this game: plotwise, this is not very inventive, though there are some lovely moments and the performance of a remarkably youthful-looking, almost handsome Falk is a joy.