"Columbo" Double Exposure (1973)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Richard Quine

Writers:

Stephen J. Cannell (written by)
Richard Levinson (creator) ...
(more)

TV Series:

"Columbo" (1971)

Original Air Date:

16 December 1973 (Season 3, Episode 4)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

A self-styled "motivation research specialist" uses subliminal cues to commit a murder. Lt. Columbo is on the case.

Plot Keywords:

Alibi | Murder | Police Detective | Crime Investigation | Investigation

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Robert Culp	...	Dr. Bart Keppel
Robert Middleton	...	Vic Norris
Chuck McCann	...	Roger White
Louise Latham	...	Mrs. Norris
Arlene Martel	...	Tanya (as Arlene Martell)
Danny Goldman	...	Press photographer
John Milford	...	1st Detective
George Wyner	...	Film Editor
Richard Stahl	...	Ballistics man
Francis De Sales	...	Patterson (as Francis DeSales)
Alma Beltran	...	Housekeeper
Dennis Robertson	...	Detective Marley
Harry Hickox	...	2nd Detective
Ann Driscoll	...	Mrs. Halstead
E.A. Sirianni	...	Norbert
Manuel DePina	...	1st Detective
Thomas Bellin	...	Technician
Peter Walker	...	Narrator
Mary Beth Sikorski	...	Receptionist
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mike Lally	...	Parking lot guard (uncredited)

Directed by
Richard Quine

Writing credits
Stephen J. Cannell		(written by)
Richard Levinson		(creator) &
William Link		(creator)

Produced by
Edward K. Dodds	....	associate producer
Dean Hargrove	....	executive producer
Roland Kibbee	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Dick DeBenedictis		(as Dick De Benedictis)

Cinematography by
William Cronjager		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Ronald LaVine

Art Direction by
John W. Corso

Set Decoration by
Bill McLaughlin		(as William McLaughlin)

Production Management
Brad H. Aronson	....	unit manager (as Brad Aronson)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Phil Cook	....	assistant director (as Phillip Cook)

Sound Department
Wallace R. Bearden	....	sound (as Wallace Bearden)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Grady Hunt	....	costumes

Editorial Department
Richard Belding	....	editorial supervisor
Steve Johnson	....	colorist

Music Department
Henry Mancini	....	composer: "Mystery Movie" theme
Hal Mooney	....	music supervisor

Other crew
Wayne Fitzgerald	....	title designer: main titles

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Richard Levinson		creator
William Link		creator

Production Companies

• Universal TV (as Universal)

Distributors

• Universal Pictures Finland Oy (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
• Viasat3 (2008) (Hungary) (TV) (re-release)

Other Companies

• Universal Title  titles & optical effects

Runtime:

70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-18 (2005) (DVD) (self applied)

Company:

Universal TV

Trivia:

The mysterious "Tanya Baker" figures into this case while Columbo and Keppel talk on the golf course. The same exact name was used "The Rockford Files: The Kirkoff Case (#1.1)" (1974), where Jim addresses the lady at the tennis club. This is no surprise as Stephen Cannell wrote both episodes.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Columbo arrives at a back office with monitors, he's being tracked by a videocamera. He arrives and sees himself live on the monitor, filmed from behind. What he sees doesn't match with his actual position, judging by a hand resting against a wall.

Quotes:

Dr. Bart Keppel: [at an intersection] Which way?
Lt. Columbo: Beg your pardon?
Dr. Bart Keppel: Right or left? You didn't tell me where the murder was committed, Liuetenant, so I couldn't possibly know how to get there, could I?
Lt. Columbo: Turn right.
Dr. Bart Keppel: Nice try, though.
Lt. Columbo: Can't win 'em all!

Movie Connections:

References High Plains Drifter (1973)

Double Exposed!

Columbo has to match wits with Robert Culp again in this episode. I don't know offhand how many episodes that featured Robert Culp but I remember this one. He is a scientist who specializes in mental manipulation. I couldn't think of another way to explain it. Anyway, Columbo has met his match in this episode. Robert Culp's character kills somebody who wants to destroy his professional reputation as a top scientist who helps improves sales in grocery stores and other ways. Anyway, you have to watch how Columbo catches him. Like a typical episode, he becomes interested in his line of work but does not forget the victim or the crime. It's worth noting that it's pretty sophisticated in 1973 and I would watch it again if I have too but it's not my favorite episode of his or with Robert Culp.