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The Columbo Phile: A Casebook

by Mark Dawidziak

Behind the making of Columbo

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AlbakiReads Editorial

Behind the making of Columbo

This casebook traces the creation of Lieutenant Columbo and the construction of the series’ mystery plots, alongside the production tensions between Peter Falk and Universal Studios. The anniversary edition adds a new preface, an account of developments after the book’s original 1989 publication—including 24 later ABC mysteries—and a remembrance of Falk. Its subject is both the detective as a television character and the creative and studio decisions behind the long-running series.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Columbo fans interested in how the character and mystery plots were developed
  • Readers exploring television history and production
  • Those seeking a reference on the series, including developments covered in the anniversary edition

Themes

Television historyCharacter creationMystery writingActor-studio relationships

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

When Columbo hit the airwaves in 1971, in quickly became the hottest TV detective series of the decade. Series creators Richard Levinson and William Link received an Emmy Award for their work; Peter Falk received three. The Columbo Phile offers fascinating behind-the-scenes information about the creation of the character, the writing of the devious mystery plots, and the altercations between perfectionist Peter Falk and the bottom-line concerns of Universal Studios. Originally published in 1989 and long out-of-print, this 30th Anniversary Edition of the essential Columbo book features a new preface by author Mark Dawidziak, an overview of post-1989 Columbo developments, including the twenty-four new ABC mysteries, and a personal remembrance of Peter Falk. It remains today the definitive guide to the rumpled Lieutenant Columbo and his career.

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