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Columbo
S3.E5
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IMDbPro

Publish or Perish

  • Episode aired Jan 18, 1974
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
Mariette Hartley in Publish or Perish (1974)
CrimeDramaMysteryThriller

A publisher hires a bomb enthusiast to murder a bestselling author of detective novels. Lt. Columbo is on the case.A publisher hires a bomb enthusiast to murder a bestselling author of detective novels. Lt. Columbo is on the case.A publisher hires a bomb enthusiast to murder a bestselling author of detective novels. Lt. Columbo is on the case.

  • Director
    • Robert Butler
  • Writer
    • Peter S. Fischer
  • Stars
    • Peter Falk
    • Jack Cassidy
    • Mickey Spillane
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    2.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Butler
    • Writer
      • Peter S. Fischer
    • Stars
      • Peter Falk
      • Jack Cassidy
      • Mickey Spillane
    • 31User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos10

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    Top Cast25

    Edit
    Peter Falk
    Peter Falk
    • Columbo
    Jack Cassidy
    Jack Cassidy
    • Riley Greenleaf
    Mickey Spillane
    Mickey Spillane
    • Alan Mallory
    Mariette Hartley
    Mariette Hartley
    • Eileen McRae
    Jacques Aubuchon
    Jacques Aubuchon
    • Jeffrey Neal
    John Davis Chandler
    John Davis Chandler
    • Eddie Kane
    • (as John Chandler)
    Gregory Sierra
    Gregory Sierra
    • Lou D'Allessandro
    Alan Fudge
    Alan Fudge
    • David Chase
    Paul Shenar
    Paul Shenar
    • Sgt. Young
    Jack Bender
    Jack Bender
    • Wolpert
    Ted Gehring
    Ted Gehring
    • Security Guard
    Vern Rowe
    • Restaurant Manager
    Lew Palter
    Lew Palter
    • Lab Technician
    George Brenlin
    George Brenlin
    • Locksmith
    J.S. Johnson
    • Palmer
    Maurice Marsac
    Maurice Marsac
    • Waiter
    James Millhollin
    James Millhollin
    • Elderly Man
    Maryesther Denver
    • Elderly Woman
    • Director
      • Robert Butler
    • Writer
      • Peter S. Fischer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews31

    7.62.9K
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    Featured reviews

    7AaronCapenBanner

    The Publisher

    Jack Cassidy returns as another killer, this time a publisher called Riley Greenleaf who is about to lose one of his top authors to a rival firm, so concocts an elaborate scheme to give himself a drunken alibi, ending in jail after a forced auto accident, that brings in Lt. Columbo(Peter Falk) who first believes it to be a frame-up, but the later murder of the actual, bomb-making assassin(and would-be author) puts the case in a whole new direction. Mariette Hartley guest stars. Exciting episode with Cassidy playing a character not unlike the one he played before('Murder By The Book') A shame some plot connection couldn't have been made from that...
    Atschmid5322

    an annoying inconsistency

    I love Columbo. Have almost all of them on DVD.

    But Publish or PErish strikes me as one of the more poorly written episodes.

    In particular, one giant inconsistency. Riley Grrenleaf has an alcoholic blackout, he claims, and has no alibi for the time his best selling author was murdered. Riley greenleaf is the authors long-time publisher and is being dumped.

    He is examining his car with Lt Columbo, noting a great deal of damage. The phone rings and Greenleaf's attorney goes in to answer the phone. When he returns he gloats to both Columbo and Greenleaf, that the latter has an ironclad alibi even he doesn't know about. He was in Encino the night before, getting drunk. HE had an accident with his car, was eventually arrested and spent the night int he drunk tank until he, the lawyer, bailed him out that morning.

    So my question is, if Columbo is there asking all these questions about where Riley Greenleaf was at the time of the murder, why didn't the lawyer pipe up with this information at THAT time? Instead he lets Greenleaf squirm. He just told us he, the lawyer bailed greenleaf out of the drunk tank that morning.

    Makes me nuts every single time I see this episode.
    8blanche-2

    Jack Cassidy again comes up against Columbo

    And again, Cassidy is involved with the publishing world.

    Allen Mallory (Mickey Spillane), a prolific and successful author, wants to leave his current publisher, Riley Greenleaf. Unfortunately Riley is played by Jack Cassidy, a repeat offender on Columbo.

    Riley hires a crazed demolitions expert Eddie Kane to kill Mallory, with a promise to publish Eddie's how to make a bomb missive. This way, Riley receives a large life insurance policy the company has on Allen and keeps him from writing for anyone else.

    Riley has a convenient alibi, but it takes more than that to fool Columbo. Mariette Hartley is Mallory's agent, and Jacques Aubuchon the publisher who wants Mallory. Of course there is a hilarious restaurant scene between them and Columbo.

    There are a few problems with the episode. For instance, Allen's agent says Riley doesn't know about the new book he's writing, but it's obvious that Riley does. His alibi at the time of the murder is a red flag. Also, he's very blunt about having a motive to kill Allen, and even threatens him in public.

    Still, the personalities of Columbo and Greenleaf sell this. A most enjoyable Columbo.
    10fadba

    It's Really About Jack Cassidy

    There are Columbo episodes, and there are Columbo episodes. For the most part, Peter Falk is consistent as the consummate Lt. Columbo, so what makes certain episodes shine are those who play in the role of his adversary. Robert Culp and Patrick McGoohan readily come to mind, as does Jack Cassidy, in his several (I believe three) appearances in various episodes, including this one. Cassidy never disappoints. He is cool and sly, often paying "left-handed" compliments to the good Lieutenant as the cat and mouse game ensues. Add to Cassidy's performance this great story and script, and you've got one of the classic episodes.
    10TheLittleSongbird

    Another Columbo great

    Columbo is one of my all-time favourites, and Publish and Perish epitomises everything about why I love the series so much in the first place. It is slickly filmed and very well made, and the electronic score adds much to the atmosphere. The script is tightly written with enough to tense and humorous moments to delight even the fussiest of all Columbo fans, and never lets go even at the conclusion, which is wholly satisfying and tense, and the story is clever and compelling. Peter Falk is the embodiment of the iconic detective, and Jack Cassidy in a suitably gritty proves to be one of the series' most memorable guest stars. John Chandler is also great as Kane, and Mickey Spillane's appearance is interesting(if not necessarily for the quality of his acting) Overall, Pulish and Perish is wonderful, a Columbo great. 10/10 Bethany Cox

    Related interests

    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
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    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
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    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Columbo questions Eileen and Neal in Chasen's Restaurant and provides horrified amusement to everyone by ordering chili. Chasen's, which closed in 1995, was renowned for its chili.
    • Goofs
      The lawyer, David Chase, scolds Columbo for suspecting Riley Greenleaf without evidence. There was evidence: the murder weapon registered to Greenleaf and bearing his fingerprints.
    • Quotes

      Restaurant Manager: Your check, Lt.

      Lieutenant Columbo: Six dollars! Excuse me, err... no I think there's a mistake, I had the chili and the iced tea.

      Restaurant Manager: Oh.

      [makes alterations on check]

      Lieutenant Columbo: Six seventy-five?

      Restaurant Manager: I forgot to add the iced tea.

    • Connections
      References Columbo: Candidate for Crime (1973)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 18, 1974 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Schreib oder stirb
    • Filming locations
      • Chasen's Restaurant - 9039 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 13m(73 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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