"Columbo" Dead Weight (1971)

Director:

Jack Smight

Writers:

Richard Levinson (creator) &
William Link (creator) ...
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TV Series:

"Columbo" (1971)

Original Air Date:

27 October 1971 (Season 1, Episode 3)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

A war hero shoots and kills his business partner; an easily manipulated young divorcée is the only witness.

Plot Keywords:

War Hero | General | Police | Witness | Sailboat

Cast

Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Eddie Albert	...	Maj. Gen. Martin J. Hollister
Kate Reid	...	Mrs. Walters
Suzanne Pleshette	...	Helen Stewart
John Kerr	...	Col. Roger Dutton
Val Avery	...	Harry Barnes
Timothy Carey	...	Bert
Clete Roberts	...	TV Newsman
Ron Castro	...	Officer Sanchez
Glen Vernon	...	1st Officer
Jim Pelham	...	2nd Officer (as Jimmy Pelham)
James Halferty	...	1st Marine Cadet (as Jim Halferty)

Directed by
Jack Smight

Writing credits
Richard Levinson		(creator) &
William Link		(creator)
John T. Dugan		(written by)

Produced by
Everett Chambers	....	producer
Richard Levinson	....	executive producer
William Link	....	executive producer
Robert F. O'Neill	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Gil Melle		(music score) (as Gil Mellé)

Cinematography by
Russell Metty		(director of photography) (as Russell L. Metty)

Film Editing by
Richard M. Sprague

Art Direction by
Archie J. Bacon		(as Arch Bacon)

Set Decoration by
Richard Friedman		(set decorations)

Production Management
Henry Kline	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jack Barry	....	assistant director
Lou Watt	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Sound Department
David H. Moriarty	....	sound

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Burton Miller	....	costumes

Editorial Department
Richard Belding	....	editorial supervisor
Steve Johnson	....	colorist (uncredited)

Music Department
Henry Mancini	....	composer: theme music
Billy Goldenberg	....	musical cues (uncredited)

Other crew
Steven Bochco	....	story editor
Wayne Fitzgerald	....	main title design

Production Companies

• Universal TV (from Universal City, California) (as Universal® Studios)

Distributors

• MCA-TV (1971) (USA) (TV) (as MCA-TV Exclusive Distributor)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1971) (USA) (TV)
• DeAgostini Japan (2007) (Japan) (DVD)
• TV2 (2005) (Hungary) (TV)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Finland Oy (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Universal Title  titles & optical effects

Also Known As:

Runtime:

USA:76 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-7 (2004) | UK:PG (video rating) (1999) | Australia:M (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Balboa Island, Newport Beach, California, USA

Company:

Universal TV

Trivia:

When Columbo flashes his badge in this episode, his first name can be seen, alongside his photo (it's Frank).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The German swastika at the war display is backwards.

Quotes:

Helen Stewart:There are some men, Lieutenant, that do not want to look like an unmade bed!

Not great, but has its interest points

As a fan of Columbo, I did sort of like this episode but it was also disappointing as well. I do have to agree that the witness was much more interesting and likable than the murderer, and that is probably the first time I felt that since watching Columbo. The pacing is also rather slow and the story is a little uneven, while it is compelling in spots due to the pacing some of it is a little dull as well. The script has its moments, like with Columbo and Albert's character, but it lacks the sophistication and humour that makes other episodes enjoyable. However, it is striking to look at, the direction is good and the score is very nice. Peter Falk is exceptional as usual, while Suzanne Pleshette gives a wholly sympathetic performance and Kate Reid is good too. Only Eddie Albert disappoints, his performance I never quite warmed to, but I think the way the character was written and the fact the murderer isn't as interesting has a lot to do with it. So overall, it is good but it isn't great. 6/10 Bethany Cox