Pilot 1: Columbo, Prescription Murder (1968)

Pilot 1, Columbo - Prescription Murder (1968)
 
This was the original first pilot Columbo TV Movie. It was directed by Richard Irving, and written by William Link and Richard Levinson. 
 
From the very opening scene with women in a rainbow palette of sparkling and fluffy gowns, this pilot movie is heavy on the spectacular clothes and light on the comedy, so we will roll with it.

 
The three best outfits in this episode are: 

1) Joan Hudson's goddess gown
 
 
 
This is a full length pink ancient Greek or Roman gown with gold trim
 

It matches Columbo's ice cream.

2) Carol Flemming's sailor nightgown and sunglasses: 


She's in a full length ivory velvet nightgown with a dark brown sailor scarf tied in front



Inexplicably she wears her sunglasses at night until she takes them off to tell her husband he is sleeping in the guest room



3) Joan Hudson's lime green knit racerback cut-out tank dress: 



She's accessorized with some light yellow hoop earrings


Honorable mention for fashion goes out to Joan's purple cowl neck dress: 



And to the anniversary party buffet guest's acorn print dress: 



And to Joan's gold, black, orange, and brown chevron stripe belted dress: 

 
And to Joan's green pinstripe tank and pants set: 
 

 
And to Joan's outfit in the final scene, in particular the back of her purple dress next to the outrageous flower arrangement: 
 
 

 
Final bonus points for fashion awarded to one of the only tee shirts worn throughout the entire series - Ray Flemming in a thin stripe mock turtleneck ringer tee tossing evidence overboard in Mexico: 
 


 Bonus points for accessories go out to Joan's cat eye sunglasses




Bonus points for decor awarded to the interior of the airplane: 
 


And the Flemming's shag carpeted bathroom:

 

 
The funniest lines in this episode are Ray Flemming calling Columbo a "sly little elf" 

 
That  should be sitting under his own private little toadstool: 



Also when Columbo says his wife tells him he ought to have string on all 10 fingers. Remember before cellphones, when people tied strings around their fingers to help them remember things?


Also when Columbo talks about his sister's kidney shaped coffee table


 
 
 And finally when Columbo is eating a popsicle: 


This series was bound for greatness! 
 
 
 
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