Columbo

[I-chi]

Oh hell yeah, a delightful surprise this got a thread!

I've been working through the series with a good friend maybe once or twice a week for a few months now, though I initially got hooked through a combination of following the memes and confronting an inexplicable fascination with noir and police procedurals that has latched on midway through my 30s. We're both absolutely hooked, enough to where the charm is us fixating on the intricate psychologies of every perp and also figuring out the exact moments Columbo begins to suspect them whether by a carelessly left clue or something in their demeanor. We've hit Season 5 and I honestly couldn't say any particular episode has suffered in quality or come across as phoned in for me yet; it's honestly lead me to follow the careers of some actors who catch my eye down other films I wouldn't have otherwise thought about, the ones I don't recognize at least.

My current absolute favorite was one of our more recent ones, 'Forgotten Lady'. Genuinely didn't expect the twist, but there was a wholly eerie vibe about the whole episode that I haven't found in any others through a combination of who plays the killer and their career informing it. No more spoilers than that, and I got no shame in admitting the final shot broke my heart.

 

[linda james bugler 1899]

We've hit Season 5 and I honestly couldn't say any particular episode has suffered in quality or come across as phoned in for me yet

The dip in quality doesn't really happen until the revival series, which I think starts with season 8, but even then it takes a while for it to hit. I didn't really feel like any episodes sucked until well into season 10, and even then there have only been two. There are some things they start doing that aren't good changes, like using contemporary pop music nondiegetically, actual effects for the violence, and more sex, but the core of it remains intact for the entire run from what I've seen, with occasional inconsistencies. There are two or three that totally destroy the format of the show in that last run of episodes though and one of them is actually just a terrible episode of television. I've heard often that Falk loses something at the very end because he's in the early stages of dementia, but I'm on the third to last episode and don't really feel that. He feels like himself. There are a couple with some pretty bad performances beyond that though. Don't think it ever fully loses itself. You've got lots of good ahead.

they basically shrugged their shoulders when Columbo caught them. He busts them, they share a drink or dinner or whatever and no one ever tries to make a run for it or jump out a window

It's a civilized ideal I think, these people might be psycho murderers but they're not so uncivilized as to fight when they've been beat. Does feel weird that all these people who kill, usually for material or reputational gain, don't fight at all though. Worst one is in that Undercover episode in the police station at the end, he's giving such a weird and flippant delivery it almost feels like a satire of a Columbo killer, he's practically whining that he was caught while filling in the blanks.

 

[William Murderface]

The top surgeon, how can we forget Leonard "Spock" Nimoy for his performance as the top surgeon? Let's also remember the one starring Martin Landau who portrayed twin brothers who accuse each other to be the murderer but Columbo founded they worked together.

That episode was also one of the few times Columbo loses his cool. He's in the surgeon's office doing his own "I'm a bumbling idiot" act and Nimoy starts laughing starts laughing at him and Columbo explodes in anger.

 

[Lurkerish Kandor]

I'm 2 episodes in to Season 2 and holy shit this show suddenly has a very different tone.
The weird manic conductor in episode 1 and now this random catty scene at the start of episode 2.
Not complaining, but shit like this is taking me by surprise.

EDIT: clip didn't wanna play as an insert so I'm leaving it just an attachment

 

[make_it_so]

That episode was also one of the few times Columbo loses his cool. He's in the surgeon's office doing his own "I'm a bumbling idiot" act and Nimoy starts laughing starts laughing at him and Columbo explodes in anger.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=rBh9P_SbkL8:159

I don't know if it was because he was playing an extremely cold and calculated killer who thinks he's gotten away with it, or if it was because it was just weird seeing the guy who's mainly known for playing Spock emote like that, but I thought Nimoy's laughter in that episode was very unsettling.

 

[Zeftax]

Watching S10E7 for the first time and I can't believe my eyes.

Spoiler

What the fuck? Never saw the 10th series before. What is this? Doesn't he have a loving wife? I get that it's for the purpose of investigating that woman but COME ON. This is not the Columbo I know. Is the character supposed to have dementia as well? This is simply too much.

 

[strumpets exeunt]

Anyone ever watch Quincy? I'm such a sucker for shows about people with professions that should absolutely forbid them for personally involving themselves in crime solving shenanigans, but doing so anyways.

 

[William Murderface]

Quincey was good, but meandered at times, a flaw shared by a lot of those shows when the network is pushing for 30 episodes for 5 or more seasons. Columbo, at least his older episodes, avoided that bey just having a few episodes per season. Quality versus quantity I guess. That said, I did like those 70s cop procedurals like Quincey, Cannon, Starkey and Hutch, Hawaii 5-0, Rockford Files, Mannix, Ironside, Kojak, Streets of San Francisco, McCloud, and CHiPs.

 

[Caesare]

My current absolute favorite was one of our more recent ones, 'Forgotten Lady'. Genuinely didn't expect the twist, but there was a wholly eerie vibe about the whole episode that I haven't found in any others through a combination of who plays the killer and their career informing it. No more spoilers than that, and I got no shame in admitting the final shot broke my heart.

That's one of the standout episodes, I think. Such a great, sad ending.

Another thing I've noticed is that they often use some big lighters,

They have those giant lighters placed on desks like they're a permanent fixture of the room. It looks like they could hold enough fluid to keep them working for a lifetime. Well, maybe a lifetime for a current year smoker, they probably lasted a few months or so for 60s/70s smokers.


Columbo rules, I'm so happy to find out that we have a Columbo thread on the forum. I liked when they'd occasionally film artsy, experimental sequences. This one is my favorite, Robert Culp's glasses being used as film projectors:

All three of Culp's appearances as the killer are very entertaining even if the episode's writing wasn't necessarily phenomenal. They're just fun to watch on screen together.

Isn't Columbo like the only time Dick Van Dyke ever played a baddie?

As far as I know, it is. Not only was he the baddie, he was a real creep in that episode. So pompous and full of himself, making his downfall all the more satisfying. Especially great in that he screwed himself in the end.

Dick Van Dyke's wife has a great line in that episode before he shoots her. She says something along the lines of- "Is this some newfound masculinity meant to intimidate me? Because it really is quite pitiful."

 

[KeepHopeAlive]

I love this show and like a few here used to watch it with my mom long ago. But my husband is a true connoisseur. He has the whole series on dvd, several books, including the cookbook (a big disappointment) and I've gotten him some t-shirts too. We even pay for a channel on cable that shows it. I also have an insulated pewter ice bucket I got from my parents after they passed. The good ole days.

Columbo and the guest actors were not the only stars in the show; the expensive homes/estates, clothing, art, cars and food were all prominent elements in the show. It was all about style. You may not like the style but that's what is was in the time periods filmed.

The Cat and Mouse strategy is a lot of fun but it's the hubris of the murderers and what it eventually gets them in the end is my fav part. They all think they are smarter than everyone in the room so their gotcha is especially delicious. My fav example of this is in "The Bye-Bye Sky High I.Q. Murder Case" (Season 6, Episode 3) That dude's need to prove how smart he is and how he gets Got was glorious!

The pilot Prescription : Murder presents a darker, edgier Columbo, and while I liked it a lot, I think the better choice was the bumbling detective persona. That persona really underscores the hubris of the killers.

I really don't care for most the newer episodes and I'm not exactly sure why. I just don't like them as much. My husband absolutely hates the episode with Columbo's niece because it threw the tried and true recipe out the door. I haven't ever watched it, I trust his judgement.

Spoiler: There were persistent rumors...

That Peter Falk had propositioned Charles Manson and he was in fact photographed at the trial. For those that think it's impossible just remember Manson was in LA pimping himself and others a full decade before the murders. Hollywood is a sleazy place.

https://www.mansonblog.com/2016/02/peter-falk-at-trial.html

 

[XYZpdq Jr.]

propositioned

Now just one more thing...

 

[UnKillFill]

Now just one more thing...

 

[make_it_so]

The pilot Prescription : Murder presents a darker, edgier Columbo, and while I liked it a lot, I think the better choice was the bumbling detective persona. That persona really underscores the hubris of the killers.

The impression I got with Prescription Murder was that it was a younger Columbo earlier in his career. You'll note that in that pilot he is carrying that famous coat and that it looks brand new.

He was a bit darker, particularly with his questioning of the killer's mistress, increasingly leaning into her and trying to make her break under questioning, and was one of the few instances where we see Columbo get visibly angry and aggressive with someone. But there were still elements of his bumbling "Aw shucks" persona that he would put on to try to get the suspect to lower their guard.