COLUMBO: PRESCRIPTION MURDER is a 1968 TV movie that acted as a failed pilot for the future TV series. In this one, Columbo is a less developed character than he would be in the second pilot, 1971's RANSOM FOR A DEAD MAN; he's about 80% of the way towards the character we all know and love here, whereas in RANSOM he was 95% of the way there.
Still, PRESCRIPTION MURDER has much for the viewer to enjoy, not least Peter Falk's youthful appearance as the detective. He's very young-looking here, with short hair and smarter clothes, and his personality is different too: more steely, less laid-back, a little bit aggressive if I'm honest.
Where the storyline is familiar is in the spousal murder, perpetrated by guest star Gene Barry. It's an elaborate set-up and an enjoyable one too, with lots of clues and complexity for Columbo to delve into. Barry does well in a complex part, some of him likable and some of him completely ruthless and alien. The '60s stylistics and fashions are a lot of fun as well. PRESCRIPTION MURDER isn't quite COLUMBO as we all know and love it, but fans will enjoy it anyway.
Still, PRESCRIPTION MURDER has much for the viewer to enjoy, not least Peter Falk's youthful appearance as the detective. He's very young-looking here, with short hair and smarter clothes, and his personality is different too: more steely, less laid-back, a little bit aggressive if I'm honest.
Where the storyline is familiar is in the spousal murder, perpetrated by guest star Gene Barry. It's an elaborate set-up and an enjoyable one too, with lots of clues and complexity for Columbo to delve into. Barry does well in a complex part, some of him likable and some of him completely ruthless and alien. The '60s stylistics and fashions are a lot of fun as well. PRESCRIPTION MURDER isn't quite COLUMBO as we all know and love it, but fans will enjoy it anyway.