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Steven Spielberg has consistently been a dedicated and tireless worker in the world of cinema. The influential figure of New Hollywood didn’t reach the title of highest-grossing director through mere chance. His films often leave audiences in awe, which makes it somewhat unexpected that he has only received three Academy Awards. Nevertheless, he has garnered numerous other accolades, such as the AFI Life Achievement Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Additionally, seven of his movies have been recognized by the Library of Congress and inducted into the National Film Registry.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but share my fascination with the early career of Steven Spielberg. Before he became a household name in Hollywood, his passion for storytelling was evident in short films and television episodes. Pieces like “The Last Gun,” “Fighter Squad,” “Escape to Nowhere,” “Slipstream,” “Unfinished,” and “Amblin” from the ’60s are must-sees if you haven’t already.

On the small screen, Spielberg honed his craft on anthology series like “Night Gallery,” medical dramas such as “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” and legal dramas including “Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law.” His big break came with the TV movie “Duel,” a massive success that paved the way for his future achievements. Interestingly, he also had the privilege of directing the first episode of the timeless detective series “Columbo,” one of the greatest detective shows ever made.

Columbo’s Episode “Murder by the Book” Is a Tale of Two Authors and Two Stevens

Steven Bochco, famed for his many cop and legal drama series such as L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, and Hill Street Blues, penned the novel ‘Murder by the Book’. In an interview with On Small Screen, Spielberg shared that he was incredibly impressed by Bochco’s script for this book, promising to bring something extraordinary to life on screen.

He said:

I approached each episode as if it was a small-scale film, using the mindset of a cinematic director rather than a TV one. My goal was to make this production look expensive, despite the budget constraints – turning the $130,000 allotted for an hour’s time into something that appears to cost a million dollars.

As a film enthusiast, let me tell you, Spielberg wove an enchanting tale with “Murder by the Book.” The story revolves around two mystery novel authors, Ken Franklin (Jack Cassidy) and Jim Ferris (Martin Milner), who have jointly penned numerous bestsellers. However, Ferris, who has been the driving force behind their collaborations, now desires to work independently without Franklin’s input. This leaves Franklin in a bind because he has grown accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle due to their literary success, and the prospect of losing that is not sitting well with him.

In a turn of events, an ominous thought arises in Franklin’s mind. Since they have a shared insurance policy that would benefit Franklin if Ferris perishes during their partnership, the extravagant author devises a plan to entice Ferris to a secluded cabin and ends his life. However, the matter doesn’t stop there; Franklin fabricates a story about Ferris investigating dangerous gangsters for a potential story, which leads to his untimely demise. But as things seldom go smoothly, complications arise when a store owner in the area discovers the truth and attempts to extort Franklin. I’ll refrain from revealing how this scenario unfolds.

Bochco continued penning a few more Columbo episodes, but Spielberg pursued the vibrant world of Hollywood instead. The tale unfolds from there, as history often does. A subtle acknowledgement to Spielberg can be spotted in another episode scripted by Bochco, titled “Mind Over Mayhem.” In this story, Lt. Columbo investigates a murder case surrounding scientists and an articulate robot. One of the key suspects in the probe is a brilliant boy named “Steve Spelberg.

Peter Falk Was Wowed by Spielberg’s Style

For Peter Falk, the role of Columbo felt like life itself. He garnered three Emmys and one Golden Globe for his portrayal of the detective, an accomplishment seldom seen among stars from other well-known police procedurals. Famous for his catchphrase, “Just one more thing,” Falk’s character captivated audiences not just with his dialogue but also with his exceptional performance, all while being forgetful and driving a slow Peugeot 403 most of the time.

On the show, Falk collaborated with numerous directors, yet none left a greater impact than Steven Spielberg did at the tender age of 24 when he directed the episode.

During Steven Spielberg’s production, it was the first instance in my acting journey where I found myself oblivious about the camera’s position. Normally, cameras are quite close by in TV work. We performed a scene, and he called ‘Action,’ then we began shooting. Midway through the scene, I exclaimed, ‘Where on earth is the camera?’

Through Spielberg’s work, Falk came to appreciate that the director was extraordinary. He even foresaw great success for him. In a conversation with biographer Joseph McBride regarding this incident, Falk reminisced:

“Spielberg’s work made me understand what a special individual he was. I could see his future was bright.

It’s clear to see that our start was blessed with luck. Our inaugural episode, back in 1971, was orchestrated by none other than a promising young director named Steven Spielberg. I remember telling the producers, Link and Levinson: “This talent is beyond what Columbo needs.

Falk noted that the future “Jaws” director was utilizing a long lens from a position across the street, which was quite unusual back then. This setup, however, surprisingly provided him with a sense of ease he hadn’t anticipated, and the self-assurance he gained during the first episode persisted throughout the series.

Spielberg Captured the Little Details Beautifully in “Murder by the Book”

In the series Columbo, the storytelling style differs from traditional crime shows. Instead of gradually revealing the murderer, viewers are introduced to the killer initially. Each episode typically lasts for 72 minutes and the early scenes provide insight into the circumstances leading up to the crime. As a result, instead of being intrigued by discovering the identity of the criminal, audiences find themselves wondering how Lt. Columbo will unravel the mystery. This is not your typical “whodunit” but rather an inverted detective story known as ‘howcatchem’.

It’s almost impossible not to be impressed by how meticulously Spielberg portrays the events in “Murder by the Book.” In the very first shot, we are given a glimpse into the sights and sounds that will help us grasp the story more easily. A Mercedes, going against the traffic flow, catches our eye, while an electric typewriter clatters away, setting the scene. The camera then glides over a shelf filled with books by the window, suggesting the tireless efforts of these writers. Additionally, there’s a framed Newsweek cover on the wall, hinting at the prominence of the man typing at it. The Mercedes reappears in the parking lot, reinforcing his significance.

In these brief moments, Spielberg subtly reveals that the character of the driver and the writer are intertwined. It’s unveiled that the supposed driver is actually a lazy, freeloading writer who exploits his friend’s abilities. His disregard for rules is evident as he enters through the exit zone. Interestingly, during this unfolding drama, there is no dialogue or background music; instead, the only sound is the rhythmic clatter of a typewriter. Later, there’s an argument about separating paths and eventually a murder takes place. However, Columbo remains unaware of these events throughout the episode, which is why he appears to be working diligently all along.

In some instances, these scenes would leave Hitchcock impressed, and it’s acknowledged that this was a deliberate choice. Steven Spielberg, the director of Saving Private Ryan, revealed during an interview with Edgar Wright in 2018 that he treated each television episode he directed as a stepping stone towards directing a feature film. He intentionally utilized these opportunities to showcase his abilities and convince others that he was capable of handling feature-length films.

Spielberg reminisces that initially, his methods earned scorn instead of praise from TV producers. He explained, “They were taken aback by my camera placement and how my episode bore no resemblance to the successful series they had been producing.” Fortunately for him, the creators of Columbo, Richard Levinson and William Link, desired something unique for their production, allowing him a degree of creative freedom. “This was my first taste of episodic television where the producers supported my innovative shots, unlike other TV producers who would discourage me from doing so,” he recounted.

Due to his contributions on the episode and the subsequent popularity of the series, Spielberg had a strong demonstration of his abilities to showcase during job negotiations. It’s no wonder he was chosen for the project of Duel, and it’s also no wonder he made a significant breakthrough in Hollywood.

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2025-05-25 00:04