Columbo (TV Series) Candidate for Crime (1973) User Reviews

Quality scripting in this Columbo story

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 22 August 2016]

CANDIDATE FOR CRIME, an episode from season three of Columbo, is one of the best I've seen. The strengths of the episode lie not in anything out of the ordinary - because this is as typically-plotted an episode as you're likely to get - but in the quality of the script, which is very strong. Peter Falk gives possibly his best performance as the detective in this one, looking very crumpled, shuffling around, and appearing constantly humble. It's a tour-de-force performance and one that's matched by former child actor Jackie Cooper as the delightfully haunted guest villain, a sweaty individual who seems to spend half the time looking over his shoulder in fear.

The opening murder sequence is well handled and over with quickly, benefiting from Ken Swofford's fine acting as the victim. Joanne Linville is excellent as Cooper's drunken wife. There are the requisite number of clues and scenes of the detective doing what he does best, hounding his suspect and those who hold information. It's also one of those stories where the murderer compounds his crime by going on to do further actions, which makes for an excellent climax which had me laughing out loud in glee. CANDIDATE FOR CRIME is top-tier Columbo and one for the ages.

What?! A politician who is dishonest and even evil?! Say it isn't so!

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 24 August 2019]

Nelson Hayward (Jackie Cooper) is running for the Senate and it looks like he has a good chance of winning. However, he's got a few skeletons in his closet as well as a mistress. The mistress seems unlikely to talk or make his life difficult. But his campaign manager is a more serious problem...as he KNOWS all of Hayward's pecadillos. And, the manager seems to feel that because he knows so much, that Hayward is his puppet...his man to control. But Hayward has other plans....and soon murders him. Of course, he creates an alibi for himself....and he cleverly sets up the killing. Can Columbo sort all this out....as he ALWAYS seems to do?

To me, this episode is sort of like watching a documentary. In other words, the notion of a politician murdering people seems anything but farfetched! Because of this, it is fascinating to watch. Additionally, it's well written and well acted...well worth seeing.

Such folks used to be executed by monarchs

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 30 September 2012]

Murder mystery mixes with political drama as Columbo is assigned the homicide of a campaign manager of a candidate for the US Senate. This one has Jackie Cooper as the tough law and order Senate candidate who kills his tough as nails campaign manager Ken Swofford.

Truth be told neither of these guys is any great loss to public life or the human race. Swofford's an overbearing character who might be good at his job, but really sees himself as the real power behind the throne. Such folks used to be executed by monarchs when they overstepped and candidate Cooper is following in that tradition. Especially after Swofford tells him to rid himself of newly acquired mistress Tisha Sterling and be a happily wed All American husband to Joanne Linville.

Some of Cooper's intricate plans show this was something he'd been contemplating for some time. Still Peter Falk manages to put it all together as he always does.

Vito Scotti has a memorable bit as Cooper's tailor who provides a key clue. As does the fact first noted at the scene by Falk of the existence of a broken street light. Those two small items go a long way in bringing Cooper to justice.

Candidate for one of the best in the series!

[The Welsh Raging Bull · 6 December 2004]

A vintage Columbo episode that pits him against a candidate for the US senate (played by Jackie Cooper) who murders his domineering, heavy-handed campaign manager.

On reflection, this is a highly effective addition to the series. The tension is efficiently created and maintained through excellent pacing: Columbo's progressive unbalancing of all of the people involved in the love-triangle (murderer, murderer's wife and murderer's lover) is effectively interwoven with the tension evoked by a soon-to-be-decided election.

There is plenty of wonderful interplay between Columbo and murderer: the balance of power see-saws intermittently, as the murderer offers one or two sharp answers to Columbo's questions before Columbo's intuitive nature proves too difficult to overcome.

Jackie Cooper gives an excellently stern-faced performance as the murderer, perfectly exhibiting the dubious sincerity that often riddles the image of politicians. In the end, the script-writer cleverly convinces the viewer that the murderer's desire to be become a US senator has been overtaken by the need to expel Columbo's suspicions about the whole case.

Undoubtedly, Columbo is handed to the case by a a somewhat impetuous act, but this a credible resolution given the desperation that the murderer feels, in order to revitalise the theory that he has been the murder target all along.

In conclusion, a decisively scripted, superlative Columbo story which is strong in all departments and is certainly one of the best in the long-running series.

One of the best

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 18 March 2012]

Columbo has always been one of my favourites, and while Candidate for Crime is not quite in my top 10 favourite episodes of the series, but it is for me in the top end. Like with all Columbos it is beautifully filmed with striking locations and slick photography, with an atmospheric score. The writing is witty and intelligent, with the comedy well-judged and delivered without feeling too padded out, and Candidate for Crime has one of the cleverest and most interesting story- lines of any Columbo episode. The pacing is fine, it is not fast-paced strictly speaking but the quality of the story made that not matter at all. Peter Falk is exceptional as Columbo, the role that I will always remember him most for, and Jackie Cooper is wonderfully stern and smarmy. The two of them work really well together. The support cast are solid, and the ending left me satisfied. Overall, one of the better episodes of one of the best detective series of all time. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Too good!

[blanche-2 · 9/10 · 25 November 2017]

This terrific episode stars Jackie Cooper as Nelson Hayward, a candidate for the California Senate.

He's a worm. He has a very tough campaign manager, Harry Stone (Ken Swofford) who demands that Nelson dump his mistress (Tisha Sterling), and if he doesn't, the manager promises to make good on a couple of threats.

Harry has invented anonymous threats to gain sympathetic publicity for his candidate, and Harry uses these by murdering Harry and blaming an anonymous killer. He sets up a clever alibi for himself, a birthday party for his alcoholic wife (Joanna Linville).

Lesser minds might have bought into his deception, but Nelson hasn't counted on Columbo heading up the investigation.

This was one of the best episodes of the series. Columbo's visit to a custom tailor is hilarious - imagine having him walk into your store!

First-Rate Columbo Mystery Pits Him Against A Slimy Self-Serving Senator

[ShootingShark · 6/10 · 12 February 2006]

Senatorial candidate Hayward has planted a fake story in the papers that there are death threats against him. He uses this as a cover to kill his manipulative campaign manager and make it look like the killer was out to get him. Columbo however is unconvinced ...

A solid Columbo murder mystery, with a typically brilliant yet effortless performance by Falk; his affinity for the character even in this comparatively early teleplay is seamless and dazzling. Check out the scene where the Deputy Police Commissioner has taken charge in a high-profile murder case. While his wastes his time getting dull reports from his top men, Columbo wanders carefully around, ascertains all the important facts from the crime scene (a cold car engine, an incongruous watch, a light left on) and has the case virtually solved. The supporting cast are a bit more straight-laced than usual here, but Cooper does a nice job as the smarmy politico (this was made during the heyday of American political dirty-tricks) and Scotti has a nice bit as a Beverly Hills tailor. The detail of the investigation is fascinating and there are several scenes which are great little comic asides on their own (the mafia-obsessed dentist, the police vehicle roadworthiness check, etc). An excellent Columbo TV movie, from a great story by Larry Cohen.

Columbo catching the murderer at the end was awesome.

[reb-warrior · 10/10 · 28 May 2021]

I thought this episode was well done. The murderer, Hayward, despite being a mild-mannered type of fella was actually pretty good as the politician that everyone loves but is really quite devious. I wonder what Harry Stone had on him? He implied he had things on him. I guess it doesn't matter to the mystery, although it does in a way, for motive, but the focus here for Columbo was the "how," and how to catch him.

A couple of weak spots, the lighting issue in the driveway. Another way the murderer could have seen the victim was by using a flashlight. But no one thought to bring this up. The phone call Hayward made to the police didn't seem very well disguised.

I thought it was much easier to follow Columbo's path of thinking in this episode. For example, Hayward just happens to be throwing a surprise birthday at the same time the murder supposedly takes place. To top this off, Harry Stone just happens to dress like Hayward during the time of this same event and is killed. I'm guessing this is where Columbo first begins to think Hayward "did it."

Later we see as more clues are unraveled, such as the new jacket being ordered 10 days before. And Columbo timing the drive to see if a person had enough time to get to a phone to call the police, which they didn't especially to Columbo's good luck when he finds out the only gas station around was closed.

But the ending was the absolute best part. Hayward knows Columbo is suspicious of him and cooks up this whole scenario of a shooting using the same gun used to kill Stone. It was so awesome how Columbo caught him here. Great for the audience too, as they are not "in" on what Columbo is doing here during the poll watch, and so it was a surprise for the viewers. Columbo going in before Hayward set off the firecracker, and digging out the bullet, and matching it to the other bullet, and the revelation of what he did was just such an "oh snap" moment. Loved it! 10/10.

FLAWED!

[skarylarry-93400 · 7/10 · 19 May 2021]

When Jackie Cooper disguises his voice to tell the police that they can find the candidate dead at the beachhouse, it sounds just like himself, the same way Ray Milland sounded exactly like himself in the episode where he was breaking the trust fund for $300,000.00. These flaws are amateur and would never happen that way! And...wouldn't the firecracker Jackie lit in the office leave the paper from the firecracker on the floor? Ridiculous!

Simply Columbo

[Sylviastel · 10/10 · 26 June 2002]

This Columbo episode is one of the best episodes of this popular long running series. It is based on a California Senate campaign. I loved to watch this one to see Katey Sagal as the candidate's secretary, years before her Married with Children fame. I enjoy watching Joanna Linville's performance as the drunken candidate's wife. Columbo is at his greatest in these classic episodes. The plot is well written and sensible to understanding the motives and actions of the murder. One of the best scenes is when Columbo goes to an exclusive tailor in Beverly Hills and ask about buying a suit. They recommend Sears or some mainstream department store. After all, Columbo can't afford a tailor made suit on a detective's salary.

Candidate for Crime

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 28 October 2018]

Made during the Watergate scandal. Nelson Hayward (Jackie Cooper) is running for a special senate election on a tough on organised crime platform

Hayward is not as compliant with any family values agenda. He is having an affair with his secretary. His campaign manager Harry Stone (Ken Swofford) in order to boost his poll ratings has invented threats against Hayward from organised crime. Stone also demands that he stops seeing his secretary full stop and make out that he is happily married.

The arrogant Hayward sets up Stone's death. He makes out that hired killers got rid off him due to mistaken identity while he threw his wife a surprise birthday party.

Candidate for Crime is a solid Columbo story. The detective's shuffling about makes the suspect Hayward irate. There is levity with an extended scene as Columbo gets fined for driving an unroadworthy car or when he is being treated by a dentist who complains the Italian mafia gets blamed for everything.

The biggest issue I had with this one there was no reason for Hayward to play a cat and mouse game with Columbo. There was no need to for him to endlessly speculate how the crime was committed and the set up at the end was only introduced by the writers as a means of nailing the suspect.

Entertaining episode that just leaves a couple of question marks

[pssc6 · 8/10 · 22 January 2011]

An entertaining episode, though it left me with a couple of questions that are now bothering me, as the great man himself would say.

What is Hayward's motive for killing his campaign manager? Stone insists that the politician's affair with Linda, his wife's secretary, has to end but never threatens to blackmail Hayward over it. One also wonders how devoted Hayward is to Linda. They have few scenes together, and the affection Hayward shows her is unconvincing - especially towards the end, when he finagles her into claiming that she found the fake death threat that he planted. Could the real motive have something to do with the "bodies" that Stone claims to have buried for Hayward? Or is this just a curious figure of speech? The meaning of this reference is unclear to me, but it leaves me wondering whether some kind of blackmail threat is implied. Surely not, as Stone claims to want Hayward to be a "happily married senator" after he is elected. Stone's controlling, rude nature encourages sympathy with Hayward, though the smirk of enjoyment on Hayward's face as he shoots Stone keeps this sympathy in check somewhat.

The way the guard backs down so easily when persuaded to go and buy Hayward some cigars, leaving him unprotected after threats have supposedly been made on his life, is just a little difficult to believe, though perhaps it is an indication of Hayward's charm and skill in manipulating people.

Also, why does Columbo not ask Hayward directly why he didn't invite Stone to his wife's birthday party? That could have been an awkward question. Instead, he puts this question to Linda, who isn't even Hayward's secretary.

Jackie Cooper is on fine form as the charming, no-nonsense senatorial candidate. Unlike many Columbo murderers, Hayward manages to conceal his irritation right up until the end and the interaction between the murderer and the detective is highly engaging, with Hayward offering several good ripostes to Columbo's questions.

Michael Lally puts in a customary appearance as a member of Hayward's entourage as the candidate is about to record a political broadcast. There is a reminder of an early Columbo episode: the piano music playing in the background at Mrs Hayward's birthday party is the same piece that features in the opening scene of "Prescription: Murder" at Dr and Mrs Fleming's anniversary party. One of the two police officers who flags Columbo down for a car inspection also appears in An Exercise in Fatality as the janitor who cleans the gym floor that the victim was killed on.

"Candidate for Crime" (1973)

[Wuchakk · 7/10 · 4 April 2019]

PLOT: A senatorial candidate (Jackie Cooper) shoots his dictatorial campaign manager (Ken Swofford) and makes it look like a mob hit on himself via mistaken identity. Joanne Linville plays his wife and Tisha Sterling his mistress.

COMMENTARY: This 'political campaign episode' is a longer Columbo, running 1 hour, 38 minutes. Linville was perhaps best known as the Romulan Commander in the Star Trek segment "The Enterprise Incident" (1968); it's nice to see her again. Tisha was best known for "Village of the Giants" (1965) and "Coogan's Bluff" (1968) and is still attractive in that innocent-looking way. This is a solid, if unspectacular, Columbo flick.

GRADE: B

The Last Refuge of Scoundrels.

[rmax304823 · 5/10 · 28 April 2009]

One of the less interesting episodes in the otherwise splendidly amusing early series. I don't know why it doesn't quite work. If the plot were described here, in print, it would sound typically promising.

Jackie Cooper is a candidate for the US Senate. He's received a couple of death threats which have prompted police protection. His bloviating campaign manager tells him he must get rid of the skeleton in his closet because Cooper is supposed to be a happily married man. The skeleton is in the form of Tish Sterling, which is a very nice skeleton indeed. With her pale face, gracile form, and big blue eyes, she looks like a kind of kewpie doll. If you lay her gently on her back, her eyes might close.

Well, Cooper understandably doesn't want to jettison Sterling, but on the other hand his bossy, loud-mouthed campaign manager is getting to be a pain in the neck, so Cooper lures the guy outside of police protection and shoots him three times and -- well, then it gets complicated. Cooper starts staging phony attempts on his own life that seem completely adventitious. He doesn't need to do it. It's over-reaching and it undoes him in the end, with Columbo the instrument of the undoing.

The writers must have had a slight block in putting this together. There are a couple of attempts at humor -- Columbo goes to a tony Beverley Hills tailor and is treated like the idiot he is, Columbo is stopped for a spot auto inspection by the state police, Columbo stumbles and fumbles more than usual, more than balance demands. And Jackie Cooper as the heavy is no help. There are only one or two notes on his instrument. The one we see most of is authoritative bluster and shouting. His character doesn't really seem to love Tish Sterling enough to kill for her. He manipulates her throughout.

Well, the golf course of life is filled with sand traps. It's still worth watching if you enjoy Columbo, just a bit disappointing in its serial context.

Super Tuesday

[stones78 · 4 March 2016]

It was only a coincidence that I watched this great episode on the same night as Super Tuesday, when politicians won or lost crucial states for the big upcoming election. Anyway, Jackie Cooper is excellent as the ambitious Nelson Hayward, who's running for office, and is as cocky as they come. Some of the other familiar faces include Ken Swofford(equally solid), Joanne Linville, Tisha Sterling, and Vito Scotti; pay close attention and you may also recognize Sandy Kenyon, whom I remember from a few All in the Family episodes. Other than a rather silly murder motive, add in another silly moment using firecrackers, and the fact that Hayward himself commits the crime, rather than hire someone else to do it, this is still a pretty entertaining episode, especially Cooper's smug portrayal. Something else I enjoy is the many outdoor scenes, instead of inside the typical boring mansion many stories revolve around. We get to see Hayward's swimming pool, a gas station where Columbo's getting his car fixed, and a funny scene where Columbo gets fitted for a suit. All in all, this is a mostly entertaining episode worth seeing.

A classic Columbo moment revealed here - no spoilers

[CoastalCruiser · 9/10 · 11 July 2012]

This is a quintessential Columbo episode in that the cat and mouse game played out for over an hour between Columbo and his prey, in this case the great Jackie Cooper as a politician willing to kill in order to win, comes to a climax in one single moment. One solitary sentence, uttered by Columbo at the end of the show, makes it more then apparent to the bad guy that the trap he been slowly backed into throughout the episode has just been sprung.

And there is no way out! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

It's worth watching the entire episode just for that one priceless moment. And as usual, the antagonist, through his own words, places the noose around his neck. Classic Columbo!

One of the best Columbos

[Apalerwuss · 10/10 · 19 May 2021]

Currently wading through all the old Columbos in order, and of the first 20, this probably shades it as the best.

The main issue I have with most of the episodes up to this one is that the "smoking gun gotcha" moment at the end is usually incredibly weak. Candidate for Crime is the first one that is totally solid, though I did kinda see it coming. There is pretty much no way the perpetrator can explain away the evidence he's presented with, and a jury would likely convict too. I really wish other writers in the Columbo series would've taken as much care with the ending as they did with this one.

Nonsensical! ..but good

[johnluckwood · 6/10 · 6 October 2021]

The acting is great in this one from top to bottom. Jackie Cooper is a believable and almost likeable politician and it is entertaining to watch his struggle with Columbo.

Unfortunately, as is the case with many Columbo episodes, the storyline is pretty nonsensical, and it really detracts from the experience.

A few examples- 1: The "assassination attempts" are weak. For instance, who supposedly put the newspaper letter on his desk? There are police, surveillance cameras, journalists, and staff present there because it's election day. So who put it there? Seriously.

And who initially reported that there was a threat to begin with? Where did the threat come from (phone?) And of course, why did Hayward infamously bring the freaking murder weapon into his office and incriminate himself. Yes, it was a good twist, but with such a nonsensical buildup... (I get that he was fearful and trying to 'win' and get Columbo off his trail, but taking that into consideration, he still brought the MURDER WEAPON into his office. Doesn't make sense)

2. Columbo asks Hayward's wife if "This is the type of watch Stone would wear" instead of just looking at pictures to see if its the same watch. They are presumably on TV constantly. Stone's character also changed clothes to pretend to be Hayward, so it's weak evidence, anyway.

3: Hayward's supposed motivation for murder does not really fit his character and doesn't feel real. Is he really that angry about his manager suggesting he end his affair? What is the manager going to do? Quit? Leave his life's work behind? Ridiculous. Politicians generally come off as manipulators - yes - but not murderers. They love fake adoration too much to risk their names.

Again, Jackie Cooper is amazing in this role. The twist is fun. But the episode has one too many plot holes.

Nepotism at its best

[cpotato1010 · 9/10 · 17 August 2020]

This is the third on-screen role for Katey Sagal, and the second in something directed by her father, Boris Sagal. She plays Hayward's secretary. A bit part, but she makes the best of it, snapping off her lines like a pro. I am wondering if some of it was improvised, based on the look on Jackie Cooper's face at the end of her recitation.

Some others seem confused as to the motivation for the last charade by Hayward. It was not to get sympathy, but a vain attempt to throw Columbo off his scent. It is no spoiler to say it failed big time. Checkmate, Columbo.

btw, the key part of unraveling this red herring is dependent on old technology. Today, Hayward would have used a cell phone, and there would be no waiting for an extension button to light. Of course, Columbo may still have decided to examine the room after Hayward left, so it may be a moot point.

The same possibly for the phone call to the police from Hayward's house. Today that would be traced and the ruse over almost before it began.

Unfortunately, MeTV cut the dentist appointment, and Columbo having his car cited. I was slightly confused when Columbo showed up at the beach house in a tow truck. Compounding this was that the road where Columbo stopped to read the final time of the stop watch was on the other side of highway from the ocean as the first two segments.

Not the fastest or most clever Columbo movie but its writing makes this a solid one.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 7/10 · 21 July 2008]

It's not the best Columbo movie out of the series but it's just as good and perfectly watchable as most other Columbo series from the long running series of fine movies.

The movie features some very long sequences, of which some are really too long. Some sequences just go on and on without getting swiftly to its point, while it easily could. Also not all of the sequences seem to be relevant for the actual movie and its main plot. The movie is also one of the longest Columbo movies made, with its 98 minutes. It doesn't make this the fastest or best flowing Columbo movie but its story still keeps the movie interesting throughout.

It also isn't the most clever Columbo movie in terms of the killer his plot and it isn't a Columbo movie with many twists to the story but it simply is a well written solid story that remains interesting throughout its characters and settings.

Having a candidate for senator as the movie its killer works out fine. It provides the movie with some tense sequences between the killer and Lt. Columbo, since Columbo is obviously somewhat reluctant at first of making accusations against such an highly respected man, that also above all things is his wives favorite candidate. And of course the senatorial candidate is underestimating the lieutenant.

The movie also features all of the other usual Columbo movie ingredients, including some good relieving humor. Perhaps a tad bit more humor than the usual Columbo movie but it's welcome.

The movie is also made great to watch thanks to its fine performances. Peter Falk is great in his role and he fits the part like a glove. Can you just imaging any other actor portraying the iconic figure? In this movie he is playing opposite Jackie Cooper, who is best known to the main public as Perry White from the Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve. He is really great and charismatic in his part and a worthy 'important' opponent for the lieutenant.

Simply another fine Columbo movie entry, of the usual high standards.

7/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

One of Pegg Bundy's first acting gigs

[inanname · 10/10 · 25 April 2019]

Love this episode for a lot of reasons but most of all is the first glimpse we really get of Katey Sagal. Is it just a coincidence that her father is Boris Sagal the director for this episode?

Candidate for crime

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 11 December 2023]

A Senate Candidate running for office kills his campaign manager by making it look like he was the target for the killer's bullet. He is convincing but Columbo isn't so easy to convince ...

And he does his usual stalking of the "suspect, raising his hand and saying "one more thing", or "somethings bothering me", and is a general nuisance, and to be honest, I do find him annoying, especially these days. But it's the tight-plot, a clever murderer in Jackie Cooper as the senatorial candidate and his clever plan to convince Columbo that he's a target from a hitman. There's some tension here - it's not the best Columbo but it's good enough to keep you watching.

Rather late dental appointment

[hipchecker20 · 9/10 · 14 August 2018]

Does your dentist see you at 8 o'clock at night?

Also, does a little firecracker really sound like a gunshot?

Despite these small complaints this was a good Columbo. His detective work is extraordinary.

Notices the broken streetlight. No light for the murderer. Catches the visit by Tisha Sterling, who comes out empty handed. Wonders why a jacket was tailored in advance. Finds out there was no telephone in the area. Realizes that a man with the personality of the dead man would not have the watch which was on his wrist.

The Senator

[AaronCapenBanner · 7/10 · 22 February 2016]

Jackie Cooper stars as Senatorial candidate Nelson Hayward, who has decided to murder his domineering campaign manager(played by Ken Swafford) because he doesn't want to break off his affair with his mistress(played by Tisha Sterling) despite the upset this would cause to both his wife(played by Joanna Linville) and career. Nelson tries to make it look like a mistaken hit meant for him, but Lt. Columbo(Peter Falk) has his doubts, despite his wife's admiration for him. How can the good Lt. prove his case against the powerful would-be-senator? Intriguing episode wisely avoids partisan jabs, even if this does ramble on more than it should.

I know where all the bodies are buried cause I buried them!

[sol1218 · 5/10 · 4 November 2005]

(Some Spoilers) "Candidate for Crime" is one of the most over-plotted of the Columbo series of TV movies that really doesn't make any sense after you realize how paradoxical it is.

A candidate for senator in the state of California Nelson Hayward, Jackie Cooper, is so desperate to get elected in a special election that he concocts a scheme making the public believe that he's being targeted by organize crime for death because he's such a great crime fighter. It actually turns out that candidate Heyward is far better qualified to be a member of the Mafia then of the United States Senate. Hayward is also cheating on his wife Joanna, Joanne Liville,by having an affair with her private secretary Linda Johnson, Tisha Sterling. That greatly upsets Haywards campaign manager Harry Stone, Ken Swofford, who feels it would destroy his chances of getting elected if found out by by the media and his opponent in the race for the senate.

Hayward thinks that the best way to get elected is to show the public that "The Mob" is out to get him and uses the excuse to check out of his hotel room, that's heavily protected by the police, by going to his wife's surprise birthday party. At the same Hayward has Harry impersonate him and end up at his, Hayward, beach house where he's secretly there and shoots him dead. Hayward does all this in order to makes it look like the person who murdered Harry, who's made to think that he's Hayward, was a Mafia hit-man.

It looks like Hayward had Harry killed more out of him wanting to break up his relationship with Linda then anything else which was really foolish, and criminal, on Haywards part. Couldn't he wait until after the election, which was a week away, that he was projected to win by almost every political poll and then continue his affair with Linda? Why murder his campaign manager and risk ending up not only losing the election but ending up in the San Quinten death house?

Let. Columbo, Peter Falk, who assigned to Harry's murder realizes that something just is't right in Hayward's whereabouts when Harry was murdered. It seems just too perfect for him to be at a birthday party for his wife Joanna at the exact time that Harry was killed. Also with Harry being such a good friend of the Hayward's why wasn't he not only invited to the birthday party but why didn't he even know about it, according to his personal diary. All these inconsistencies struck Let. Columbo odd and made him think that his murder was planned well in advance. It in fact wasn't a hit and run rubout by the mob who didn't know that the person that they whacked wasn't the person that they thought he was: Nelson Hayward "Champion Crime Fighter". Columbo puts all the loose ends together and sets up the murderous and wife cheating Hayward but it's his very schemings, and paranoid, self that in the end seals candidate Haywards fate.

It made no sense at all to me for Hayward to try to have himself get assassinated, by himself of course, at the end of the movie in order to gain sympathy from the public. At the time it happened the people of Califronia were already well on their way, according to the TV news reports,to electing him senator. Even if Hayward was behind in the vote it was already too late , with the majority of the vote already in, to swing the election in his favor anyway.

Hayward was far to driven to get himself elected senator then having an affair with Linda. It made no sense at all for him to go as far as murder in killing his campaign manager Harry Stone, who was totally dedicated in getting Hayward elected to the senate, in order to continue his affair with her! Peter Falk as Det Columbo had to keep himself more from cracking up then in getting the goods on Hayward. Which was as easy as pie for him in how ridicules Hayward was in single-handedly destroying not only his political career but his marriage freedom and Harry Stone's life as well.