How to Dial a Murder

A very good, and above average, Columbo episode. This is caused by that it makes small variations from the classic scheme. The motive of the murder isn't present at the beginning, which is something, that really improves the movie. Columbo is playing up against Dr. Eric Mason (nicely played by Nicol Williamson), who doesn't loose his temper as much as the characters that Columbo previously met.

The third main character, Joanne Nicholls, should have a special mention, since she is not only played extremely well - by Kim Cattrall, later of "Sex And The City" fame (however her role in this movie is the complete opposite, a true romantic who has her teddy bear as her true companion) - but also that her unbalanced character adds well to the movie plot.

And ad with that, some great incidental music, good directing spots (particularly in a wordless sequence with Columbo and the dog trainer), a generally good script(rarely have I laughed so much in a Columbo movie, and the many references to old movies - particularly Citizen Kane - and psychology are well-put and well used), and that Peter Falk seems in top shape makes it a great movie, and a Columbo classic.

This Columbo episode is about dogs who kill on command. British actor Nicol Williamson plays a doctor is better known for his role as Hamlet in 1968 production. Another British born actress and better known for her role as Samantha on Sex and the City, the actress Kim Cattrall in an early performance at a very young age is also in a supporting role. Anyway, St. Elsewhere's Ed Begley Jr. has a small role as a police officer. Anyway, the episode is a Columbo favorite because it has film references around. Of course, Peter Falk's Columbo has become like an old family friend with great stories and interest in anything whether psychiatry, dogs, or movies. The ending is also brilliant with a twist and of course, Columbo catches his man in this case.

Dr. Eric Mason (Nicol Williamson) is a guy who is not about to receive an award from the American Humane Association, that's for sure! As part of his VERY elaborate scheme at revenge, he's trained his Dobermans, Laurel & Hardy, to go mad and kill when they hear a trigger word! Well, his scheme DOES work....but what the psychologist didn't know is that Columbo was on the case AND Columbo never seems to lose a case!

This is a very good episode. While farfetched and too complicated, the murder was pretty cool and the plot very good. My only reservation is the character played by Kim Cattrall. Her acting was fine...that wasn't the problem. But her character seemed underwritten--like some editing occurred and much of her role was reduced. This made her being there in the first place confusing.

I must say I really liked the director approach of the movie from James Frawley. It's the second Columbo movie I've seen so far which got directed by him and it was the second one from him that I loved. He directed a total of 6 Columbo movies throughout his career, of which this one was his third. The directing is done with lots of style, which makes the movie great to watch and provides it with some good pace as well.

The movie actually knows to create a good general thriller atmosphere and style, also not in the least thanks to the musical score from Patrick Williams, who did the score for all of James Frawley's Columbo movies. It's a style which I really loved about this movie and makes it more special to watch than just the average Columbo movie entry.

It has actually a quite far fetched main plot but nevertheless you'll buy it, thanks to the skillful directing and storytelling of it all.

The movie features a 'great' killer, portrayed by Nicol Williamson. He gives away one fine performance and is a worthy opponent for the good old Lieutenant. The movie also features a still very young Kim Cattrall. Funny thing is that she also made her debut in a movie called "Rosebud", the word that plays a key element in this movie, which of course refers to the 1941 Orson Welles classic "Citizen Kane".

The movie has all of the typical great Columbo movie elements in it, including some great relieving humor at points.

Another real fine Columbo movie from James Frawley!

8/10

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Nicol Williamson stars in How to Dial a Murder, a 1978 Columbo episode.

This is one of the more gruesome ones. In the beginning we see dogs attacking a dummy on the phone command "Rosebud."

Williamson portrays Dr. Eric Mason, a behavioral psychologist. We see him giving a lecture and then talking with a colleague, a Dr. Hunter (Joel Fabiani).

Hunter sees Mason looking at a photo of his late wife (who died when her car inexplicably went over a cliff) and asks if he misses her. Mason says she was seeing someone else. He asks Hunter to meet him at his house later for tennis.

Hunter arrives, and, having a key, lets himself in. Mason is at his doctor's. From the doctor's office, Mason dials his home. His Dobermans enter through the doggy door when they hear the ring.

Hunter answers the phone. He and Mason talk, and then Mason asks him to settle a bet. What was the name of Citizen Kane's sled?

When Hunter answers Rosebud, the dogs attack and kill him.

Mason is at film buff so this episode is filled with movie references as we worry for the fate of the two dogs, Laurel and Hardy. It takes some deprogramming by trainer Tricia O'Neill to offset Mason's commands.

He doesn't fool Columbo, even if Mason wasn't home during the murder. It doesn't take him long to figure out ladies' man Hunter was Mrs. Mason's lover. Or just how Mason engineered the killing.

Look for a very young Kim Cattrell as Mason's screwed up quasi-girlfriend who knows too much.