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Post by Prime etc. on Jan 31, 2021 18:17:45 GMT
THE GREENHOUSE JUNGLE Never seen this one before. His eager partner--that was amusing. Bradford Dillman looks like Henry Winkler with the long hair. I wonder if that was deliberate so it seemed like he was trying to resemble William Smith? No way that was his real hair! Columbo's reaction to the wife having a boyfriend. He seemed shocked--embarrassed. And later, after talking to the secretary--which was also interesting because he did not act quirky at all--he was totally serious, he tells the wife that her husband was going to give William Smith the $50 000 he asked for to buzz off. Why did he tell her? We never really know if William Smith was a golddigger or Dillman just said that because he hoped he could win her back? I dont remember him mentioning it before he gets shot--he mentions buying a car for her doesn't he? Milland then says why waste money on that no good wife... I am just wondering if William Smith was a goldigger. It seemed she was being educated by Columbo--in fact, another interesting thing--her sleeping was so erratic when Milland plants the gun! For suspense reasons ok, but did she have a troubled conscience?
Milland fixing the plant was a funny addition.
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Post by novastar6 on Feb 1, 2021 0:13:23 GMT
Can't pick a favorite, but least favorite is No Time to Die, points for Columbo actually pulling a gun, but the writing was just too different. The first time my mom and I saw it she said 'This is an Ed McBain book'.
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Post by Nalkarj on Mar 1, 2021 3:43:20 GMT
Spoilers for “Last Salute to the Commodore” (S5:E6).
I rewatched this episode tonight. It’s many Columbo fans’ least-favorite episode of the original run, mostly because of its drastic changes to formula. I used to rate it highly for exactly that reason: About halfway through, apparent killer Robert Vaughn is murdered, and in the end we find out that he never actually killed anyone. His ingenious alibi was just an attempt to divert suspicion away from his wife, who he thought committed the crime. (But she didn’t either.)
It’s directed by the great Patrick McGoohan (a.k.a. my avatar), a frequent Columbo killer himself who is best known for his amazing, surrealistic show The Prisoner. He directs this Columbo as if he were still directing The Prisoner—with lots of humor and some truly bizarre camera angles. The scene in which hammy, hysterical Diane Baker tells Columbo what she remembers on the night of the murder is a directorial tour de force—something you rarely see on TV, at least post-’60s, non-British TV.
So, I like the McGoohanesque weirdness. And I like the idea of changing Columbo into a whodunit at least once.
But the execution doesn’t work. The identity of the real murderer isn’t a big surprise; it’s anticlimax. The problem with doing this as a whodunit is that it would’ve been more fun with Robert Vaughn as the real murderer. His alibi really is ingenious in this one, and the way Columbo breaks it down equally so. And Columbo’s clue to the killer’s identity is a disappointment, especially coming after a lovely, Last of Sheila-esque clue that I’m not sure has any relevance to the plot. The episode feels as if the writer had all these brilliant ideas and couldn’t make any of them cohere.
Ultimately, “Last Salute to the Commodore” is a failure, but what a fascinating failure.
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Post by Nalkarj on Mar 1, 2021 4:02:46 GMT
Oh, and new Top 10, very subject to change based on rewatch (some of these I haven’t seen in years):
1. “A Stitch in Crime” (S2:E6)
2. “Try and Catch Me” (S7:E1)
3. Prescription: Murder (TV movie)
4. “By Dawn’s Early Light” (S4:E3)
5. “Any Old Port in a Storm” (S3:E2)
6. “Columbo Goes to the Guillotine” (S8:E1)
7. “Forgotten Lady” (S5:E1)
8. “Double Shock” (S2:E8)
9. “Murder Under Glass” (S7:E2)
10. “Death Lends a Hand” (S1:E2)
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Post by Prime etc. on Mar 1, 2021 5:05:56 GMT
Mrs. Columbo, a spin-off TV series starring Kate Mulgrew, aired in 1979 and was canceled after only thirteen episodes. Lt. Columbo was never seen on Mrs. Columbo; each episode featured the resourceful Mrs. Columbo solving a murder mystery she encountered in her work as a newspaper reporter. Connections with the original Columbo series were made obvious: the glaring presence of Columbo's car in the driveway, Dog, and Mrs. Columbo emptying ashtrays containing the famous green cigar butts—all featured in the show's opening sequence. References were also made to Kate's husband being a police lieutenant.
The show received poor ratings, however, and as part of efforts to revamp it, the linkage between this Kate Columbo and the Mrs. Columbo of the original television series was reduced. The name of the character was changed to Kate Callahan after an off-screen divorce, and the series was renamed Kate the Detective, followed by Kate Loves a Mystery.
In this ultimate incarnation, the producers completed their retreat from the show's original premise, and Kate Callahan was then regarded as being a completely different character from Mrs. Columbo of Columbo, Kate's ex-husband now named Philip. None of the changes aided the new show's ratings, however, and it was pulled from the air in 1980, after 13 episodes.
It has been speculated that an additional reason for the character revision is the fact that Mulgrew was aged only 23 when the first season was broadcast (and perhaps younger still when it was filmed), meaning that when Columbo originally premiered in 1968, the detective was married to a 12 year old who immediately conceived a daughter.
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Post by cooly44 on Mar 10, 2021 23:12:59 GMT
I love Try And Catch Me. It was different from most formulaic Columbo shows and Ruth Gordon was the best killer ever. I rooted for her the whole show.
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Post by Prime etc. on Mar 13, 2021 5:04:55 GMT
BLUEPRINT FOR MURDER -- the scene with him getting the building permit was hilarious. But it seemed way too convenient for the killer to go back to get the body.
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Post by Prime etc. on Mar 13, 2021 6:45:55 GMT
THE MOST CRUCIAL GAME - I like when ice is used as a murder weapon--there's a giallo where ice is used to cause a door to lock after it melts. One thing about the ending, we never actually see Culp confess to the murder right? He stares at the tape and the clock--but maybe he would come up with some excuse in another minute? He seemed rather good at talking his way out of things. I think the part that doesn't make sense is if he knew the office was bugged then there would be no record of the second phone call.
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Post by dirtypillows on Mar 29, 2021 4:18:35 GMT
"Try and Catch Me" The comic chemistry between Ruth Gordon as the wisecracking 'mystery writer' and Columbo is just great. And a sweet moment at the end too, as they toy with the audience because they know you wanted to let the old girl off - one of the most sympathetic killers in the series history. Abigail: "Your dog seems to be scraping bottom..." Columbo: "Yes Ma'am, they made them that way." "Stay dog, STAY!" (the dog wanders off) Columbo: "He's trained, you know." I can't imagine a show like Columbo succeeding today. Think of it: No violence (that we see) No pointless gratuitous sex scenes to titillate the teenyboppers, No gunfights (in fact in one episode it was revealed Columbo doesn't carry a gun because he doesn't like them! (LOL) And he had to get another policeman to take his qualifying test at the shooting range because he never goes!) No car chases! No real action to speak of, of ANY KIND. And a so-called "Murder Mystery" (NBC Mystery Movie) where you know who THE KILLER IS RIGHT FROM THE START! That's no mystery! So then, what the hell is the show about? Try to sell that to today's audience. I love everything you said about "Try and Catch Me". It might just be my favorite episode along with my favorite murderer. After all, it's Ruth Gordon! I love Columbo's doggie! The villain I most loved to hate was undoubtedly the reptilian Leonard Nimoy in "A Stitch in Crime". Not to mention the fact that I liked both of his victims so much. My favorite twist off the top of my head might be the ending from "A Friend in Deed".
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Post by dirtypillows on Mar 29, 2021 4:21:44 GMT
1. Favorite episode? I have only seen the first two seasons but my favorite was the first one I saw, which you mentioned as Murder by the Book. I was thinking how it felt more like a feature film at times than a tv movie and then at the end was shocked to see Steve Spielberg as the director. Jack Cassidy was a great villain. 2. Favorite killer? In A Stitch in Crime I loved seeing Leonard Nimoy as the bad doctor, also had a great moment when Columbo lost his temper and slammed a water pitcher on the doctor's desk. 3. Favorite "gotcha"? Also the episode where Robert Conrad was the killer and I really loved how Columbo was able to catch him with the audio, the shoes on the dead man and the written statement. I also thoroughly enjoyed that moment. Columbo did NOT like him and he made sure the jerk doctor knew it.
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Post by Prime etc. on May 8, 2021 7:32:57 GMT
SWAN SONG - Finally watched the whole episode. I missed the start. He seemed to have good reason to commit the murders. What was up with the girl-was she the daughter of his wife? Or just a religious groupie she recruited to entrap him?
The brother reminded me of Dubya Bush.
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Post by Prime etc. on Dec 15, 2022 2:44:25 GMT
I watched a tv movie a while back A Step Out of Line 1971 starring Peter Falk, Vic Morrow, Peter Lawford as three men in desperate need of money so they plan a robbery. It's a good movie--feels more like a cinema film than tv but what's fascinating about this is that it came right before Columbo the regular series and Falk has the raincoat on. Tom Bosley plays a "Keyes-Edward G Robinson" kind of boss character to Falk who gets annoyed by his messy cigar. I assume this inspired Falk to use it on the series? Also, people joke that maybe Columbo killed his wife, well if he did--the final scene in this would be perfect for a fan edit of Columbo getting arrested. The scene in the squad room at the end of this is really something. A must for Columbo fans.
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Post by MCDemuth on Dec 15, 2022 3:37:16 GMT
Big fan of Columbo, but I haven't seen most of them in a long time, and can't remember them all.
I don't think I can pick "2. Favorite killer?" & "3. Favorite "gotcha"?" at this time...
But, I think My Favorite Episode would have to be: "Double Shock" (1973) from Season 2...
Martin Landau plays twin brothers involved in the murder of their rich uncle... That was OK, but what I love most about the episode was the role of Mrs. Peck, played by Jeanette Nolan...
Mrs. Peck was the housekeeper who constantly confronted Columbo about his inconsideration's and dirty habits... And with Columbo usually being "in control" of his investigations... His reactions to Mrs. Peck enlightening him about how he was doing everything wrong as a guest in their home, and Columbo realizing that he should be ashamed of himself, was a unique and enjoyable experience for viewers to see...
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Post by novastar6 on Dec 15, 2022 16:14:10 GMT
Best gotcha. Of course there are several, but gotta love this one.
"He doesn't live here, *I* live here. These are my shirts, this is *my* underwear."
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Post by Richard Kimble on Dec 15, 2022 20:26:23 GMT
Oh, and new Top 10, very subject to change based on rewatch (some of these I haven’t seen in years): 1. “A Stitch in Crime” (S2:E6) 2. “Try and Catch Me” (S7:E1) 3. Prescription: Murder (TV movie) 4. “By Dawn’s Early Light” (S4:E3) 5. “Any Old Port in a Storm” (S3:E2) 6. “Columbo Goes to the Guillotine” (S8:E1) 7. “Forgotten Lady” (S5:E1) 8. “Double Shock” (S2:E8) 9. “Murder Under Glass” (S7:E2) 10. “Death Lends a Hand” (S1:E2) A top 10 list w/o "Suitable For Framing"? tsk tsk
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Post by Richard Kimble on Dec 15, 2022 20:28:36 GMT
"My fingerprints are all over those paintings. They're COVERED with my prints!" Not only the greatest Columbo moment, but one of the great moments in mystery fiction.
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Post by Nalkarj on Dec 19, 2022 18:18:19 GMT
Oh, and new Top 10, very subject to change based on rewatch (some of these I haven’t seen in years): 1. “A Stitch in Crime” (S2:E6) 2. “Try and Catch Me” (S7:E1) 3. Prescription: Murder (TV movie) 4. “By Dawn’s Early Light” (S4:E3) 5. “Any Old Port in a Storm” (S3:E2) 6. “Columbo Goes to the Guillotine” (S8:E1) 7. “Forgotten Lady” (S5:E1) 8. “Double Shock” (S2:E8) 9. “Murder Under Glass” (S7:E2) 10. “Death Lends a Hand” (S1:E2) A top 10 list w/o "Suitable For Framing"? tsk tsk I’ve seen it… but I haven’t seen it in a while. So I’ve got to take another look. Also, while my top five are unlikely to change much, 6-10 are, as I wrote in Feb. 2021, very subject to change.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2022 18:17:30 GMT
Huge Columbo fan, I know every episode backwards.
Best episode is hands down 'Any Old Port in a Storm"
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Post by Prime etc. on Apr 15, 2023 20:35:07 GMT
Big fan of Columbo, but I haven't seen most of them in a long time, and can't remember them all. I don't think I can pick "2. Favorite killer?" & "3. Favorite "gotcha"?" at this time... But, I think My Favorite Episode would have to be: "Double Shock" (1973) from Season 2... Martin Landau plays twin brothers involved in the murder of their rich uncle... That was OK, but what I love most about the episode was the role of Mrs. Peck, played by Jeanette Nolan... Mrs. Peck was the housekeeper who constantly confronted Columbo about his inconsideration's and dirty habits... And with Columbo usually being "in control" of his investigations... His reactions to Mrs. Peck enlightening him about how he was doing everything wrong as a guest in their home, and Columbo realizing that he should be ashamed of himself, was a unique and enjoyable experience for viewers to see... I really like that one too. Also Columbo hesitates by the tv repair van when he is going back to the house--he checks himself over to make sure he might be presentable enough.
Her outrage at him is hilarious but I love a few other things.
"I don;t have flat feet. I've got terrific arches..." Also Landau is very savvy -- he knows what Columbo is up to. And Dabney Coleman makes a good partner for him actually.
But the cooking scene is my favorite scene.
I watched Suitable For Framing and An Exercise in Fatality. I had seen them before at least in part. I notice in the latter, Columbo gets mad at the suspect--in a public place.
I am not sure what my favorite gotcha is. I remember the George Hamilton blind man one in particular.
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Post by Prime etc. on Aug 21, 2023 0:00:19 GMT
Recently I watched the R Conrad-R Martin episodes. Columbo gets the most annoyed with the former suspect--the only other one where he seemed to really dislike the suspect was A Stitch in Time.
I rewatched By Dawn's Early Light which may be the first Columbo I remember seeing.
I see people mentioning it alongside Any Port in a Storm as the best episodes--it's interesting that in both stories, the killers aren't motivated by greed, it's losing their professional lives.
Suitable For Framing has a cute joke where Ross Martin says at a party "the artist's work may be abstract, but he made sure his signature was representational."
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