From the Book - Regular Print
On being nominated for an academy award 1 --
You have you stories and I have eye stories 5 --
Thinking about faye dunaway while driving 13 --
On being a young man who has no idea what he wants to do with his life (p.s. and he is in no hurry to find out) 17 --
I graduate college-next day Paris 23 --
On working to get a master's degree in a field you have no interest in and no aptitude for 29 --
On the thin line dividing naivete from stupidity, or why it took 12 years to become an actor 35 --
On the four words that broke the camel's back 39 --
Big apple and my first play 41 --
Jason Robards tells a good story 47 --
On being an actor with one eye 49 --
Marjorie morningstar 53 --
I have never been arrested in the United States but I have been arrested in... 71 --
On my first meeting with Frank Capra 81 --
On wanting to kiss Frank Capra 83 --
On the role overcoats can play in an actor's career 87 --
Making a movie in Russia-why?! 91 --
It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world 97 --
Robin and the seven hoods 101 --
Arthur Miller tells a good story 111 --
On what I had and you didn't-a Lou Lilly in my life 113 --
Getting arrested in Genoa 121 --
How did the Columbo character evolve? 135 --
Columbo odds and ends-to play Columbo-makeup not required-unlike some other actors 143 --
"This old man, he played one-he played knickknack on my thumb" 145 --
Columbo odds and ends-god never designed any one human to be recognized by two billion other humans 149 --
Columbo odds and ends-descriptions 151 --
What's the toughest thing about creating a Columbo? 153 --
Early days-the fights-the disputes-the distrust 165 --
In summit meetings called to settle disputes, where the star of a tv series sits can be decisive 167 --
Peter Falk's ad-lib 171 --
First meeting with John 185 --
A woman under the influence 193 --
What is a Cassavetes set like? 195 --
Cassavetes-a tribute 201 --
Drawing art students' league 213 --
A message to the people of Romania 221 --
Can movie directors help movie actors? if so, how? 225 --
On why I wasn't in The Godfather 231 --
Why Marlon Brando wears an earplug 233 --
How the in-laws began 247 --
In-laws: years later, Alan and I share a joyous moment 251 --