Unshot Columbo: Cracking the Cases That Never Got Filmed

by David Koenig

Overview

Can't get your fill of Columbo? Then sink your teeth into 19 adventures that the show almost filmed.

From the author of the best-selling Shooting Columbo comes this unique, behind-the-scenes peek at the unmaking of episodes that were shot down-and why.

Discover the early 1970s tales by "murder consultant" Larry Cohen and by a young, pre-Carrie Brian De Palma... the aborted pilot for Mrs. Columbo that was reimagined for Columbo... as well as the unmade masterpiece that Peter Falk desperately wanted to close out the series with as his final case. Find out why he never got the chance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781937878238
Publisher:	Bonaventure Press
Publication date:	05/01/2024
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.46(d)

About the Author

David Koenig is editorial director for 526 Media Group, Costa Mesa, Ca. He received his degree in journalism from California State University, Fullerton. His books include Shooting Columbo: The Lives and Deaths of TV's Rumpled Detective, Danny Kaye: King of Jesters, Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World, and Mouse Tales: A Behind-the-Ears Look at Disneyland.

Editorial Reviews

05/24/2024

Koenig follows up his outstanding Shooting "Columbo"—which detailed the making of the long-running TV series Columbo—with another behind-the-scenes book on the numerous scripts pitched, ultimately rejected, and never shot. The ruffled TV detective appeared in 69 mysteries—spread out over 35 years. The most episodes filmed in one season was eight. That was back when most TV series filmed more than 20 episodes per season, and good scripts were difficult to come by. Koenig focuses on 19 murder mysteries that were submitted and often moved down the pipeline of rewrites but were ultimately rejected. These synopses usually run over a dozen pages, giving the book a feeling of reading a clever and brand-new collection of Columbo short stories. These highly detailed stories are followed by explanations of why the scripts were rejected. The reasons range from plot holes and inconsistencies to scripts using elements from previous episodes. Among the authors of some of these unshot scripts are film director/screenwriter Brian De Palma, former Time magazine film critic Jay Cocks, and cult film auteur Larry Cohen. VERDICT A treat for Columbo fans, this well-written, well-researched book will also appeal to lovers of murder mystery short stories.—Kevin Howell

Library Journal