Étude in Black

Episode aired Sep 17, 1972
Not Rated
1h 38m

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

3.8K

YOUR RATING

Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, Blythe Danner, Myrna Loy, Anjanette Comer, and James Olson in Étude in Black (1972)

Cop Drama Police Procedural Crime Drama Mystery Thriller

A ruthless conductor murders the gifted pianist with whom he is having an affair. Lt. Columbo is on the case.A ruthless conductor murders the gifted pianist with whom he is having an affair. Lt. Columbo is on the case.A ruthless conductor murders the gifted pianist with whom he is having an affair. Lt. Columbo is on the case.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

3.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
This is the debut of Dog, Columbo's pet basset hound.

Goofs
Just before she accompanies Columbo and Alex into the screening room to watch the incriminating video, Janice Benedict's hair is swept up in a bun behind her head. When she enters the room, her hair is in a long ponytail.

Quotes
Lieutenant Columbo: [presenting his car to Mike the mechanic] What do you think of this?
Mike Alexander: Have you ever thought of getting a new car?
Lieutenant Columbo: No, you see, I already have two cars. Of course, my wife's car is nothing special. That's just for transportation. You understand.
Mike Alexander: I only work on foreign cars.
Lieutenant Columbo: Oh, it's a foreign car.
Mike Alexander: Oh, I know, but... there are limits, mate, you know?

Alternate versions
This 90 min episode is out of sequence and is seen as S2E2 on Tubi in 2024.

Connections
Featured in The 25th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1973)

Soundtracks
6th Symphony, 4th Movement
(uncredited)
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven

User reviews48

Review

Featured review

8/10

Orchestrating more than just a concert.

Alex (John Cassavetes) is a very rich and successful conductor. However, he is in a difficult situation....his mistress insists he must marry her and make an honest woman of her or else. But Alex is married and likes his current life, so he decides to kill her. His plan is excellent and well executed and initially it looks like the victim committed suicide. But Columbo is doggedly determined to investigate the likelihood it was murder....after all, he read the script and it IS the "Columbo" show!

I liked the intricate way the murder was orchestrated....it was the highlight of the show. I also liked the introduction of Columbo's new dog....and it's the first glimpse viewers get of a look at Columbo's family (he always talks about his wife but you never see her). Overall, quite good and a pretty typical story for the series.