On March 1, 1971, the official "Columbo" pilot "Ransom for a Dead Man" first aired.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Lee Grant Retweeted

The official #Columbo pilot ‘Ransom for a Dead Man’ first aired 52 years ago, on March 1, 1971. Co-starring Lee Grant, Harold Gould and Patricia Mattick, it’s a big-budget spectacular that wowed audiences 👏🏼👏🏽👏🏾 Plus the chemistry between Peter Falk and
@TheLeeGrant
was🔥🔥🔥

Link to tweet

[mucifer]

1. Actually there was a pilot before the pilot

“Prescription Murder” in 1968



https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0061496/

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Which I've seen. That's going way back for "Columbo."

I saw both of them a few weeks back. "Columbo" runs a few times over the weekend.

Thanks.

And good morning.

[Polly Hennessey]

3. Watched the episode with Theodore Bikel and Samantha

Eggar last night. Peter Falk had chemistry with most of his villains, especially the women. He was such a gentleman.

[Auggie]

4. First episode of Season One was directed by Steven Spielberg

“Murder by the Book,” starring Jack Cassidy.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. It is an excellent episode too.

Jack Cassidy was in three episodes of "Columbo." He is regarded by many as the best of all the "Columbo" villains.

[Auggie]

6. Yes. Cassidy was the original choice to play Ted Baxter, BTW ...

He turned it down and the part went to Ted Knight.