Apparently this episode is in the public domain, and is available on the columbophile's website[0]

[0] https://columbophile.com/2018/03/25/full-episode-columbo-mur...

I wonder, are these episodes really part of the public domain, or are they just misusing that term to describe being allowed to embed them?

Respectfully disagree on Spielberg. Many episodes from the early series show exceptional visual flair. Watch the opening sequence of Publish or Perish or the post murder cover up from Death Lends a Hand.

Spielberg was young and had enormous talent obviously but I think a blind taste test wouldn't show the difference.

You beat me to mentioning Death Lends a Hand.

“How do we trump split screen? Let’s do it on sunglasses” (which always seems to get cut in syndication)

> Watch [...] the post murder cover up from Death Lends a Hand.

Personally, I find the projection on the sunglasses a bit kitschy.

My feeling is that if it was used in the context of cinema/feature film then yes it would be kitsch. But for the medium of TV of the era it strikes me as a bit of intelligent fun.

I was introduced to Columbo by a housemate a few years ago and was instantly hooked. The episode you mentioned is excellent, as are all the Jack Cassidy ones.

For me the standout episode is 'Any Old Port in a Storm' (1973) with Donald Pleasance.

I think there are 4 things that make a Columbo episode enjoyable:

1) Peter Falk 2) Creative murder ideas 3) Great plot 4) Supporting performances

In "Any Old Port in a Storm" the acting by both Falk and Pleasence is outstanding. Regarding 2), I always adored "Now You See Him" (the magician episode, also with Cassidy) and "Swan Song" (the airplane murder with Johnny Cash).

I think what makes Columbo good is how out he is of his element. The perpetrators are always from a higher social class and he always takes advantage of their hubris, lulling them into a false sense of security, agitating them until they give up clues. All that while being polite and sympathetic. There is no shoehorned social commentary in Columbo. It's pure entertainment, which is hard to find these days.

Kinda a lot of episodes were like that. The more interesting episodes I think it was more of a he was 'a sly little elf perched on his toadstool'. He was unassuming. He disguised himself to be invisible and would pick apart everything usually very methodically. He 'took a defect and used it as a tool'. Even the way he would blow people off was to be unassuming 'oh my boss he is a very exacting man', 'oh just a routine question'. When it was usually him looking for that information. He would many times make the perp 'self own' themselves by their own lies.

The writers were also very good on making sure motive, means and opportunity were clearly picked apart in all ways. Apparently the whole crew was in on it and would make sure that the story stayed true. Making sure things were filmed so they did not contradict later or past actions.

The 90s series was a bit less tight and more of the 'stick it to the rich'. They were enjoyable enough. But something was missing.

I would add great pacing, with long, slow shots. I counted random modern film scene switches, it is average 2 seconds per switch.

Other is adding atmospheric elements that serve no purpose to the plot, just paint scenes of life. In modern films, most things shown will have to compulsively have some utility later.

I have been buying a lot of laserdiscs lately, and this is what I enjoy most about 70s-early 80s movies. Really long, interesting shots and way less music.

Jack Cassidy is amazing in all three? of the episodes he's in.

The show oozes genuine charisma, and the slow 1970's pacing is an absolute joy.

"Murder by the Book" was also an early writing credit for writer/producer Steven Bochco.

Wow, driving from downtown LA (Broadway), up 110 to I-5 towards Palmdale, using that unique connecting ramp where you turn left at the end of the tunnel.

I've driven these recently and remember the horrible smog-belching cars from my youth. Also, nice to see the freeways without tagging everywhere.

The shot choices in that opening are spectacular. One of my favourite episodes.