Double Shock (25 Mar. 1973)

A smarmy TV chef and his identical twin brother, a rigidly proper banker, are suspects in the electrocution of their rich uncle.

Director:

Robert Butler

Writers:

Steven Bochco (teleplay), Jackson Gillis (story),

Stars:

Peter Falk, Martin Landau, Jeanette Nolan

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Martin Landau	...	Dexter Paris / Norman Paris
Jeanette Nolan	...	Mrs. Peck
Tim O'Connor	...	Michael Hatheway
Julie Newmar	...	Lisa Chambers
Paul Stewart	...	Clifford Paris
Dabney Coleman	...	Detective Murray
Kate Hawley	...	Mrs. Johnson
Michael Richardson	...	Young Lawyer
Robert Rothwell	...	2nd Detective
Gregory Morton	...	Older Lawyer
Tony Cristino	...	Stickman

Storyline

Flamboyant television chef Dexter Paris and his twin brother, Norman, a conservative banker, are supposedly not talking to one another. But both disapprove of their wealthy uncle Clifford's impending marriage to a young woman. One of them enters Clifford's bathroom and drops an electric mixer with a frayed power cable into Clifford's bath water. Clifford is electrocuted, and the murderer takes Clifford's body to an exercise room to make it appear that Clifford died of a coronary. But Lieutenant Columbo, the infallible, cunning detective in a rumpled raincoat, suspects foul play and believes that the Paris twins, both heirs to their uncle's estate provided he didn't marry, had a motive for murder. But which one did the deed? Columbo pursues both with incessant questions as he tries to determine which of the two brothers killed their uncle Clifford.

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Plot Keywords:

uncle | twins | banker | identical twins | electrocution | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 1973 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dabney Coleman is the only actor to play both an arresting officer (in this episode) and the murderer (in Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star 1991).

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Goofs

When Dexter puts the new mixers on the counter, Columbo is holding his jacket and raincoat on his arm with the raincoat on top. Dexter puts the mixers away, and the jacket is now on top.

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Quotes

Columbo: Mrs. Peck? Mrs. Peck, I made a very poor introduction of myself to you, I know that. I'm a stranger in your house that you love and I'm here to do something that's not very pleasant, so I don't expect you to like me but I have feelings too, Mrs. Peck. Now, I'm sorry about being untidy. That's something that I can't control. That's a fault of mine that I-I, I don't know, I just can't correct that, and I've tried many years. I'm just very untidy. That's my nature, but I've never been un... ...

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Connections

Featured in Pioneers of Television: Crime Dramas (2011)

User Reviews

Falk vs. Landau vs. Landau

Double Shock was neither one of the best or one of the worst of the Columbo series but it was still very solid. I do think some of the story takes a while to get going and that the tension between the two brothers wasn't quite as tense or effective as it could've been, mainly because Dexter was a far more interesting character than Norman. However, it is filmed and edited beautifully, and the music is suitably atmospheric. Apart from some sluggish pacing and some scenes that feel padded, the story is a good change of pace and remains interesting with a genuinely surprising ending, and the writing is arch and witty often. Peter Falk looks very comfortable as Columbo and is a joy to watch. Julie Newmar is a pleasant surprise as the fiancée, but in support the standout was Jeanette Nolan, whose rapport with Columbo is hilarious. Double Shock is notable mostly for Martin Landau playing twins, and he does a very good job in both roles, especially as Dexter. Overall, interesting and very solid. 8/10 Bethany Cox