NBC’s “Mystery Movie” Turns 40: Midweek Murders, Misdeeds, and Malfeasance

When The NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie debuted in September 1972, the U.S. television schedule was a great deal different--and certainly less expansive--than what we’ve come to expect in the cable-dominated 21st century. The three original Mystery Movie segments--Columbo, McCloud, and McMillan & Wife--were relocated to Sunday nights, 8:30-10 p.m. ET/PT (following The Wonderful World of Disney), and joined there in rotation by Hec Ramsey. On Wednesdays, the new, second 90-minute Mystery Movie “wheel”--comprising Banacek, Madigan, and Cool Million--began at 8:30 p.m. as well, following the police drama Adam-12. The prime-time grid below comes from the September 9, 1972, Fall Preview edition of TV Guide.