Columbo (TV Series) A Friend in Deed (1974) User Reviews

Enthralling, stylishly-scripted and plotted, vintage Columbo story

[The Welsh Raging Bull · 9/10 · 17 September 2005]

In all honesty, Columbo adventures do not come much better than this one, simply because plot, script, acting, clue development and analysis, Columbo's characterisation and direction all interlink to captivating and thoroughly entertaining effect.

The plot is easily the best in the series: man kills wife after argument, rings his friend (the Deputy Police Commissioner) - he makes it look like a burglary gone wrong (taking advantage of a recent spate of burglaries in the area) and he also kills his own wife later on for her money, further capitalising on the "burglary gone wrong" theory.

In typical Ben Gazzara style, the story is carefully and deliberately developed with Columbo's meticulous appreciation of the crime scene the first hint that he is going to disagree with the prevailing burglary theory.

Falk's scenes with Kiley are well-crafted and incisive; Columbo is not afraid to be forthright about his observations in front of his boss as he subtly uncovers the truth.

The conclusion is arguably the best entrapment of a murderer in the entire series; the Deputy Police Commissioner turns to Columbo, after the latter states that he thinks that he was involved in both murders, and says "you've just lost your badge my friend!". The ensuing scenes are an absolute classic and thoroughly uphold the decisive quality that prevailed throughout the story. Watch it!

Columbo at the top of his game

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 22 November 2016]

A FRIEND IN DEED is one of the contenders for 'best episode of Columbo ever'. It has a tight and ever-evolving plot involving multiple murders, alibis, and complexity, and to add to the fun the villain is superior and proves more than a match for our wily detective. As if recognising the quality he's working with, Falk ups his game too, delivering a portrayal of Columbo at his dogged best.

The film's star is Richard Kiley, never well known in the UK but a TV personality in America. His villain is a frightening one with sociopathic tendencies and his placing at the top of the police command chain makes Columbo's life very difficult. Despite the lengthy running time, A FRIEND IN DEED is constantly engaging, with comedy that really works and some great clues building to a satisfying climax. Fans will be in their element with this one.

"A Friend in Deed" (1974)

[Wuchakk · 8/10 · 9 April 2019]

PLOT: A commissioner at the LAPD (Richard Kiley) provides an alibi for his neighbor (Michael McGuire) after he kills his wife in a fight, but the commissioner expects the same in return.

COMMENTARY: This is sort of an obscure Columbo flick, but it shouldn't be. Kiley is charismatic as the devilish villain and the plot makes interesting changes to the formula. The fact that the murderer is Columbo's boss is a nice twist. The beautifully exotic Arlene Martel shows up for a cameo. The film runs 1 hour, 38 minutes.

GRADE: A-

Columbo at his very, very best

[enochsneed · 10/10 · 27 March 2006]

I thought I knew all the classic Columbo films of the 1970's. I was surprised and happy when I bought Season 3 on DVD to find this title which I didn't recognise and don't remember seeing on TV.

Even better, this is a great episode, probably one of the finest in showing us how Columbo's mind works: picking up on the anomalies in an apparently obvious situation, the 'loose ends' that nag at him until he finds the truth. In this case it is what is *absent* from the crime scene that tells him this is not simply a robbery that went too far.

Columbo's greatness as a character lies not just in his detective skills, but the desire for truth and justice which is rooted in his basic humanity. Here he is up against very powerful forces that could cost him his career and he still won't give up on his ideas about the case.

'A Friend In Deed' breaks with the classic Columbo formula (villain carries out 'perfect' crime and is relentlessly hunted down by Lt. C) in that the plot begins by chance then develops a life of its own. This makes for a more realistic story, tighter dramatic situations and more suspense for the viewer.

You have to wonder why this particular villain thought he could get away with it, however. Surely he must have known Columbo - by reputation at least.

This is an excellent Columbo, a classic detective movie in its own right, and very well worth watching.

One of my absolute favourites of the series

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 3 April 2012]

I love Columbo, I consider it one of the finest series of its kind. There are several gems amongst this series, and A Friend in Deed is one of them. Beautifully filmed and scored with striking locations, A Friend In Deed also benefits from some of the cleverest, wittiest and stylish writing of the series, and one of the series' most consistently absorbing stories. The scenes between Falk and Kiley are brilliantly played and genuinely tense at times. Peter Falk embodies Columbo as ever before, while Richard Kiley is a more than worthy foil, often coming across as intimidating, which I loved. The support cast are good enough with what they have, but it is the leads especially that make this episode work. Overall, a wonderful episode and one of my favourites. 10/10 Bethany Cox

A top episode of a top series

[caa821 · 10/10 · 11 November 2006]

This series - particularly the earlier episodes - is certainly one of the best ever. I missed this particular one when originally aired, but saw it several years later, and then again recently. (Like Andy Griffith's "Andy Griffith Show" and "Matlock," this is a program for which one is grateful for the reruns available on cable today.)

This particular program, though, is the one I'd probably label my all-time favorite - among many, including those with the ubiquitous Columbo "killers," Jack Cassidy, George Hamilton, etc.

One of the greatest mistakes in the entire history of film was the casting of Peter O'Toole in the lead for "Man of La Mancha," rather than Richard Kiley, whose Broadway performance in this role was among the most acclaimed, ever. Kiley was an immensely- and diversely-talented actor, who should be more prominently recognized and remembered among his peers than he is.

His portrayal as the egotistic, manipulative, greedy deputy police commissioner, and the villain of this episode, is outstanding. The "shtick" of this series, of course, included the usually smooth, urbane, well-dressed, cosmopolitan qualities of the villains - contrasted markedly with Columbo's being the opposite in all of these.

This aspect is certainly apparent here - and the only somewhat puzzling part of the story is the seeming absence of Kiley's knowledge of Columbo's abilities beneath his sloppy exterior - and he would have certainly seen the records of the department certifying the lieutenant's significant abilities.

The main paradox in the history of "Columbo" was the ease with which he seemed to be able always to remain "under the radar," both within the department (even with those with whom he was most closely associated) and on the outside - despite having had to possess a better record for detection and solution of serious crimes than Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and Sam Spade - combined.

There is no way a review of a "Columbo" episode could be a spoiler. We know from the outset that Kiley is the villain here - however, Columbo's inevitable foiling his devious, wily superior, is perhaps the most clever in the history of this long series.

One of the gems of season 3

[old_tv_guy · 10/10 · 19 April 2006]

Thanks to Universal for releasing the DVD sets. I became a Columbo fan in the 1980's when CBS was running heavily-cut versions after midnight. Edited Columbos are pretty good-- uncut, the good Columbos are the best TV detective programs of all time.

And Richard Kiley is the best Columbo villain of the third season. Donald Pleasence and Jackie Cooper also turned in emmy-quality performances that year, but Kiley brings a presence to the role that, physically, is intimidating. I don't think the Lt faced anyone quite this scary until they cast Rip Torn in the revival series in the '90's. He was the perfect choice for deputy police commissioner, in the way it makes you realize how a someone who seems to be so "in charge" can be evil penetrating the highest levels of order, and how he can pervert attempts to uncover it. The Lt's perplexity at Halperin's unwillingness to cooperate is one of the good bits on this. Big red flag, and you can see the Lt realizing it, in a turning point for the story.

This episode also has one of the best depictions of Columbo at work. As he wanders about the murder scene, it's like the camera's not even there--here's the bare intellect putting it together, and repeated viewings, when you know what he's thinking, are fun to watch.

Also, good job by Val Avery-- he was in a few other episodes, but Artie Jessup, a greasy little cat burglar just trying to make it on the outside, is his most memorable. Check out the way he tries to intimidate that fence, who isn't buying. Futility or what?

And catch Columbo's reaction when the husband hands him the major break, about the nightgown-- the case is cracked and he doesn't let on at all. Again, repeat viewing just makes it better.

Also I would be remiss not to mention the brief appearance by Arlene Martel as the jewelry saleslady. If I brought my crappy little watchband in, and she smiled at me like that while she turned me down, I'd consider myself blessed. By the way, Columbo picked up a bunch of people who had worked on Perry Mason-- Jackson Gillis was script editor on both shows, and some of the actors, such as Ms Martel, and the lovely and talented Jeanette Nolan, turned in memorable roles on both programs.

Finally, this episode covers the range of life in LA, from cozy clubs of the privileged to the seedy dives of the desperate. In fact, Columbo cracks it by having Halperin, a habitue of the former, be dragged into the latter.

One last comment-- I don't think Columbo did that well in seasons 2 and 3-- the episode with Julie Newmar and Martin Landau, for example, was in season 2-- the most depressing Columbo murder ever. And the cosmetics murder episode? If I had a chance to work with Vincent Price, I'd have made him the murderer if I'd had to rewrite the script from scratch. What. A. Waste. And that robot alibi in the one with Jose Ferrer-- even in 1972, they would have connected the computer with a cable, you wouldn't have had a ham-handed robot trying to type like a person. But they had Robbie the Robot available, so they had to write him and this Cute Kid into it. Completely unnecessary.

Peter Fischer (the author of this episode) came on board in season 4 as story editor, and frankly the improvement is noticeable. So, as a Columbo fan, looking at season 3-- I'm just glad they got Mr Kiley for this one, that Columbo had to fight someone within the department, and that his solution relies on the character's shortcomings like it does. Best of season 3.

One of the best Columbos ever. What twist this one has is that the killer is none other than the police commissioner himself. Columbo's boss! How can he catch his own boss?

[gleetroy · 5 October 2006]

Richard Kiley is the second best Columbo murderer of all time. Too bad he was only in one episode (Jack Cassidy was #1 on my list). The writing of this one is tight and the characters are sharply drawn and performed. Old Peter Falk-John Cassavete-Ben Gazzara (who also directed this episode) friend Val Avery is superb in the small role of Artie Jessup. His interplay with Columbo about the fake jewels is priceless. The familiarity between the two actors is marvelous.

Peter Falk was once again in top form. His scenes with Richard Kiley play like a Broadway show. The final scene where Kiley is caught is priceless. "These are my socks, my underwear, my niece, my nephew, my brother-in-law..."

It's Columbo Vs The Chief Of Police !

[ShootingShark · 6/10 · 28 October 2006]

A scheming police commissioner covers up for a friend who kills his wife during a fight then blackmails him as an alibi to his own wife's murder. To expose the truth, Columbo must risk his badge and confront two killers in cahoots.

One of the best Columbo TV-movies, well directed by Falk's acting buddy Gazzara and with an absolutely top-notch script by longtime series writer Peter S. Fischer. The story is slightly derivative of Strangers On A Train, but it twists and turns beautifully, pits our hero against one of his most deadly foes (and an intimidatingly powerful performance by Kiley), is shot through with great ideas (the nightdress under the pillow, no prints on the phone, the tell-tale soap in the autopsy, the fake address on the file) and is suspenseful and witty throughout. Aside from Falk and Kiley's enjoyable duelling, this one also has a very strong support cast, with McGuire as the nervous accomplice, Avery as the down-at-heel cat burglar, Murphy as the philanthropist wife and Finnegan as the robbery detective all memorable and well above standard for TV acting. Classic murder mystery fare.

Who you gonna call? In this case, probably NOT the cops!

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 27 August 2019]

Mark Halperin (Richard Kiley) is contacted by his frantic neighbor, Hugh (Michael McGuire). It seems Hugh and his wife were fighting (again) and this time he lost control and killed her. However, despite Mark being the Deputy Police Commissioner, he does NOT contact the police but helps Mark cover up his crime. Is this because Mark cares about his friend? No....he's a dirt-bag and envisions a scheme like the Hitchcock film "Strangers on a Train"! But with his boss being involved with murder, how can Columbo cut through the lies and find out the truth?

The way Columbo works out this crime and proves the killers' actions is truly unusual and I liked the novelty of the episode and solution. Overall, very well written and one of the better episodes.

A Twist in Old Formula

[Sylviastel · 7/10 · 19 May 2006]

Richard Kiley plays a Los Angeles commander who lives well with his wealthy wife in an unidentified part of Los Angeles. His friend and neighbor admit to killing his wife. Kiley's character helps his friend out of his crime in exchange for him killing his wife. It's kind of like Patricia Highsmith's book, "Strangers on the Train." Of course, Kiley's character has been planning it better and with more thought than his friend. Anyway, jewelry is stolen and it the crime is set to look like a robbery gone awry. Anyway, I love the scene with Columbo and a paroled experienced Jewel thief exchanging barbs. He looks at him after Columbo hands him a cheap piece of jewelry and laughs and says that he would get laughed at in prison for being caught with something so obvious. Anyway, I love how Columbo catches Kiley in the end.

One of the more original Columbo movies.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 8/10 · 18 July 2008]

Plotwise and the way the story is build up from its beginning till end, every Columbo movie is basically the same. It's the reason why most of the Columbo movies are of the same high quality. There however are a few Columbo movies that stand out. Often a Columbo movie can distinct itself from the others and the usual quality, through its directing style, plot or acting. This is a Columbo movie that knows to distinct itself through its plot.

Storywise this is simply one fine movie. It on top of that is also quite original for a Columbo movie, thanks to some nice little touches that makes the story and its storytelling different from the usual Columbo formula. For instance we don't get to see the first murder being committed at all and there is not one murderer but two, of which one is the deputy police commissioner and Columbo's boss. In the long run the story isn't at all about the first murder in fact. The story on top of that has some small side-plots, which isn't something common for a Columbo movie, also due to its normal short running times. It's a story that develops nicely and has plenty of twists and surprises in it. It's the kind of script that would had also worked out for a good cop thriller movie.

But it's still a typical Columbo movie alright with most of its usual ingredients. The character of Columbo himself can be seen as a real police investigator this time, interrogating and looking for clues, while in most other Columbo movies he doesn't really feel and act like a police-man but more like a noisy, smart, observing private detective, like for instance Agatha Christie's Poirot or Miss Marple.

Perhaps it's true that the movie focuses more on the perpetrators than on the Columbo character, even more than usual but I see this as a part of the reason why this movie is different and more original from other Columbo movies, rather than as something that is bad about the movie.

The movie also really benefits from Richard Kiley, who plays a fine role, as Columbo's main suspect. His character carries the movie for quite a large part.

A movie that doesn't follow all of the usual Columbo movie rules but works out fine anyhow thanks to its well written script, that helps to make the movie one of the more original Columbo movies out there.

8/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Soap gets in your lungs

[sol-kay · 6/10 · 19 November 2006]

**SPOILER ALERT** Police Commissioner and Lt. Columbo's, Peter Falk, boss Mark Halperin, Richard Kiley, at first tries to do the right thing, in his confused mind, by covering up a messy homicide on the part of his friend Hugh Caldwell,Michael McGuire. Hugh had a big fight with his wife Janet over her going out with other men behind his back and accidentally killed her by ringing her neck.

Scared and afraid that he'll have to face the music for what he did Hugh gets in touch with his friends ,L.A Police Commissioner Mark Halperin, wife Margaret (Rosemary Murphy). Margaret tells him that Mark is playing craps at the local country club. Calling Mark the panicky Hugh is told by Mark to keep his cool and come over to the club and stay there so he can then provide an air-tight alibi for him. Going to Hugh's place Mark covers up his fiends killing by making it look like it was a murder/robbery. Mark has Hugh call him and make it sound like, with witnesses at he club listening in, that he's having a talk with his old lady whom, unknowing to those at the country club, he killed and has been dead for some two hours.

Back home Mark in bed with Margaret fakes that he heard some noise at his next door neighbors house, the Cardwells, and tell her that he just saw someone flee from the premises. Frantically calling his boys, the L.A Police, to come over and catch the perpetrator they and Lt. Columbo show up finding that Janet was murdered and her jewelry stolen.

As your trying to get your bearings straight in what Mark is up to in covering up his friends, Hugh Cardwell, wife death we then see him coming home for supper and finding his wife Margaret in the bathtub, filled with bubble bath. In the middle of what seems like a friendly conversation as Mark Mark suddenly grabs Margaret by the head pushes her down into the water drowning her!

I had to wonder what kind of police department the LAPD was with it's big cheese the "Commish" himself being a total nut-job. Not only risking his career and possibly spending a stay behind bars by covering up Hugh's killing his wife Janet but this, murdering his wife Margaret! Mark seemed to be mad at Margaret for spending her inheritance, four million dollars, on ex-convicts who she felt weren't given a chance to have a second chance in life by an uncaring and vindictive society. It was normal for Mark to be upset that he was left out in his wife's philanthropic plans but to murder her and risk getting a one way ticket to the San Quentin gas chamber was simply mind-blowing!

Again working in tandem with his fellow wife killer Hugh Mark has Hugh, with a woman's nylon stocking over his head, act as if he's burglarizing Mark's home. Hugh in full view of Mark and the pilot on a police helicopter, takes his already dead wife's, Margaret, body out of the house and dumps her into the swimming pool to make it look like he beat and forcibly drowned her. What the not so smart Mark didn't realize is that when he earlier drowned Margaret in her bathtub.

Mark trying to cover his, and Hughs, tracks targets this local burglar Artie Jessup, Val Avry, as a perfect pasty to frame the two Bel Air killings, Janet & Margaret, on. Things don't go as smoothly as Mark thought when his boy, the top homicide detective on the force, Lt. Columbo start cracking open the case. That leads a hysteric Mark to overplay his hand and plant a number of pieces of jewelery in Artie's skid row hotel room. What Mark did't know is that that Artie checked out of the dive three weeks ago and guess who's now the new tenant?

What I liked most about this Columbo episode is that it has the boss police commissioner Halperin get screwed by his lowly employee Lt. Columbo and not, as it usually would be, the other way around. Mark acted like a real schmuck in not only murdering Margaret but by not having the common sense in knowing that the clever Lt. Columbo would see through his brainless attempt to cover up his crime. We the audience and Lt. Columbo almost forgot about the original killing in the movie the accidental death of Janet Cardwell until that jerk Mark Halperin tried to frame the innocent Jessup in both Hugh and his wife's deaths.

Using Hugh as a go between in getting the pay-off money, secretly concocted by both Columbo & Jessup, Mark then tried to double-cross and set up Jessup in Janet's as well as his wife Margarets deaths. He didn't realize that Lt. Columbo tricked him into believing that he was staying at the address that was on Jessep's rap sheet. The creep fell for it lock stock and barrel implicating himself in both killings, one actively and the other as a willing accomplice.

I Live Here!

[thejcowboy22 · 5/10 · 24 September 2021]

Profiling can be hazardous to one's own self. Judging someone by their appearance or speech without really knowing that person can end up biting you in the blank. One night back in my teen years I was involved with some mischief with my two friends who decided to shoot bottle rockets at a neighbor's front door. We fired the missiles. The rockets exploded on the front porch as we ran for safety in my friend's home a few doors down. We entered his home from the rear entrance. Meanwhile, at the front entrance, which opened to the huge living room, my friend's parents were simultaneously throwing a party. We settled in my friend's bedroom for cover. A few minutes passed and to our surprise, my friend's father opened his door. He asked his son if we shot fireworks at the neighbor's front porch and my friend quickly confessed. My personal contact or experience with my friend's father was basically that he seemed affable, laid back basically mild-mannered. He told us that the neighbors rang the bell and knocked on the front door in anger. They began to yell and complained that they saw three teens running toward our home after they fired fireworks on their front porch. The father's response started as usual, where he actually started to laugh about the prank when actually he was baiting us. We laughed along with him and then his demeanor changed one hundred and eighty degrees to anger as he personally degraded each of us for our stupid act. The detective series Columbo starring Peter Falk is about a disheveled wrinkly Los Angeles Police lieutenant who solves murders without the use of guns or brut force. Instead, he uses relentless questioning and cerebral methods to solve his cases. Each episode shows how the murder was performed in detail. Most of these murders are elaborately done using electronic devices. Columbo, situated in the Los Angeles area has our slovenly looking detective involved in solving murders. At first impression, you would assume he would be hunting criminals in Skid row or East L. A., but instead, he deals mostly with the elites in showbusiness, wine connoisseur, architects, college professors, and even iconic movie stars. Because of his non-threatening appearance, his suspects do not take him seriously This episode which in my opinion is very unique. As he is trying to solve a double murder in the posh Bel-Aire section. The problem Columbo has is that he's up against his boss. As the episode moves along, all the leads point to his boss the Deputy Police commissioner Mark Halperin played by Richard Kiley. Even in the early stages, our ruffled detective is Stymied as he questions his boss about the irregularities in how these murders were performed. Columbo asked his boss how soap and lather were found in his dead wife's lungs when she supposedly drowned in their swimming pool? During the entire episode, the arrogant Commissioner would berate Columbo threatening his job, but our detective also has one more trick up his wrinkled sleeve. This personally is my favorite ending in the entire Columbo series but you have to watch this unfold in its entirety. Fine script by Paul Fischler and a fine performance by Val Avery. I was also surprised that the episode was directed by Ben Gazzara. The point I was making earlier was that I never took my Friend's father seriously figuring he was a softy. His reaction was pretty hard.

#2 all time Columbo

[louiss · 9/10 · 26 January 1999]

My #2 all time Columbo favorite. Great premise with Columbo investigating murder of two cops wives in a twist along the line of Strangers On A Train. The scene with Columbo discussing lack of finger prints on first deceased wife's phone with collaborating chief Kiley is a masterpiece. Set up conclusion is also one of the best.

A strong story delivered well by strong performances aided by a director with an eye for helping the actors

[bob the moo · 11 August 2005]

When Hugh Caldwell has yet another fight with his wife it ends in tragedy as he accidentally kills her in a struggle. His first call is to his friend and neighbour Mark Halperin, who also happens to be a senior policeman. Halperin advises covering it all up and helps Hugh set up an alibi in a bar, while he goes to his house and covers up the crime before "spotting" a man in the Caldwell property from his own bedroom window. The police find Mrs Caldwell dead and investigate the crime, believing it to be the work of a burglar who has been working in the area recently. Columbo doesn't totally accept this though because of a couple of small things that don't ring true and sets out to try and prove what he thinks he knows.

As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula – we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Saying this is not a spoiler – it is simply what happens in all the films. With this strict adherence to formula it is usually down to several factors whether or not the Columbo film stands out or if it is just average. Here the "deed" of the title is a murder and the friend involved in the "deed" is none other that the Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Halperin. This sets up quite a good story early on that only has a few weaknesses – specifically the steps that Halperin takes later in the film, they seem unlikely, too impulsive and risky for such a powerful man. It might have worked if he had been written as arrogant or cocky but he isn't, he is smart and scheming. Once you get past these though the film is strong mainly because it gets the cat'n'mouse stuff spot on.

The attempts at comedy fall flat, nor do they manage to add to the character of Columbo – the broken car and the desire for a cheap watch strap aren't funny and don't add anything to the story. However what director Gazzara does do well is frame a shot and he gives the series a gritty feel of the streets at times that was a fresh addition. More than that though, he gives the cast plenty of close ups and nobody takes more advantage of that than Falk himself. He is Columbo through and through but the close ups put him under pressure to show a lot in little things on his face, and he does it well. We can see his doubts, his thought process and even see it in his eyes as he sets and then springs the trap. It is a fine performance and it is these shots, rather than the broken cheap goods he owns, that tell us about the character. Kiley is a good match for him and plays his character well – a worthy accomplice who doesn't play with Columbo but does think he has played the player. The film is at its best when the two men are on screen together. The support cast are less able; Murphy and McGuire are OK but they are never more than passable and I kept wanting them to step aside for the main event.

Overall this is an enjoyable Columbo film that is built on a typically strong story. The actors rise to this and produce some good interplay and director Gazzara helps them out a great deal by directing with an actor's eye, dishing out close-ups and clever shots that add to the performances. A strong film in the generally strong series.

One of the best plots ever

[clodax2002 · 10/10 · 27 July 2007]

What I particularly like of this episode is Columbo's calmness and self-confidence while unveiling his own boss' faults. "Commissioner ... I think you killed your wife" - Magnificent! And how he takes advantage of the Commissioner's "advice" to drop his theory and to check out burglars, in order to go on investigating - he's apparently obeying but he's secretly preparing his trap instead. Even if the Commissioner knows Columbo very well, he seems to underestimate him, or better, to overestimate himself! After all, there must be a reason why he's the Commissioner and Columbo is just a lieutenant! The Commissioner is sure he can commit the perfect crime. He's sort of challenging Columbo. I wonder why the lieutenant didn't become Commissioner at his place after solving this case. 10/10

The best twist at the end of ANY Columbo Episode

[supermuch · 10/10 · 22 September 2007]

The twist at the end when they all go to Jessup's "apartment" led by The Killer, the Deputy Commissioner, is the best twist I ever saw.. This was really a great episode, and Richard Kiley was outstanding.

When Columbo turns to Jessup and says "They say that they found these jewels in your apartment" You expect one of 2 things to happen.. For Jessup to say: "I wouldn't steal those, they're fake!" For the officer Columbo called in with him to say:"I saw you come in here and plant them Commissioner" But you do NOT expect Columbo to reveal it is HIS apartment... That was perfect... I love when he says "These are My underwear" and holding up a picture "This is MY brother-in-law"

The Twist also about the Jewelery being sold for fakes was a good plot twist.

The only "Bug" was, that they didn't check the phone companies records to see what number Caldwell called after killing his wife..

Second-to-none ending...

[ntvnyr30 · 10/10 · 28 May 2003]

...as Columbo has done in other episodes, both before and after (i.e. the car in "Columbo Goes to College"), as he succeeds in trapping his suspect.

Furthermore, although Columbo is seen by most as a bumbling, absent-minded detective, he is masterful at diplomacy, as he gingerly attempts to snag his boss. Again, the ending is magnificent. Great job by actor Ben Gazzara, a paisan.

The Guts of a burglar

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 14 October 2012]

Peter Falk really put himself on the line to get his man in this Columbo episode. One of two perpetrators is one of the civilian police commissioners of the LAPD so he'd better get this one right.

There are two murders in this episode, one a crime of passion, the other a crime of opportunity. Michael McGuire kills his wife right at the beginning of the episode. He runs to the house of his neighbor Commissioner Richard Kiley, maybe Kiley will get him a lawyer, maybe a fix will be put in for leniency.

But Kiley has another scheme in mind. In their Bel Air neighborhood there have been a series burglaries and it could easily be made to look like this was the work of the burglar. And maybe another murder could fit the pattern as well, that of Kiley's wife Rosemary Murphy who apparently he's been contemplating murder for some time about.

So Murphy is done away with and the police are looking to pin this on a burglar. That is every cop except Columbo who has his own ideas.

Kudos have to go to Val Avery who plays a professional burglar who Columbo gets for some professional advice. The two make quite a team in taking down Kiley and McGuire.

Avery in his own way is a mirror image of Columbo, a working guy who happens to be on the other side of the law. One of the best performances from that under-appreciated character actor.

If you don't like this Columbo, you don't like Columbo...

[stamp-587-149747 · 10/10 · 12 November 2017]

Just to echo what lots of other reviewers have said, this is one of the best Columbo episodes of all time---for me, it easily rates in the top 5. The villain is great, the plot builds throughout, and Columbo is on top of his game, applying just the right amount of pressure at just the right time. In addition, almost all of the minor characters are great---the burglar "Artie" is outstanding, and only the neighbor "Hugh Caldwell" is a bit weak (what's up with those goofy sunglasses?). Perhaps it could have used a bit more of that trademark Columbo humor, but that's a minor issue.

If you're new to Columbo and not quite sure whether you'll like it, don't make up your mind until you've seen this one and a few other of the classics, such as Try and Catch Me.

A Friend in Deed

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 8 October 2018]

An intriguing start to this episode. Hugh Caldwell has just killed his wife in a fit of jealousy as she has been cheating on him with younger men. He rings his friend Mark Halperin (Richard Kiley) who is gambling in a club with a beautiful lady by his side.

Halperin for some reason decides to help out Caldwell. Halperin cooks up an alibi for Caldwell and tries to pin the murder on a burglar operating the well heeled neighbourhood.

It turns out Halperin is the Deputy Commissioner of the police. Not only that, he then ropes in Caldwell to provide an alibi for himself. Halperin plans to get rid of his wealthy wife who spends her inheritance on charitable deeds.

Actor/Director Ben Gazzara provides muscular direction in this episode. There is a seediness to this episode as you see crooks such as Artie Jessup, the burglar set up to take a fall. Columbo knows that he is no murderer and contemplates that his superior may have committed a heinous crime.

What lets this episode down is the second killing. There was no way Halperin deserved to be the Deputy Commissioner with such a crack-brained plan.

It was never going to work as the bath drowning would had meant soapy water will get inside her body. Someone like Columbo would never be convinced with the pool drowning.

Drowning Incident

[daktsk-624-441616 · 9/10 · 19 March 2016]

This episode is without a doubt in my top list. I love the ending.....my socks, my brother-in-law, etc. The only problem I have with it is the scene when he throws her in the pool, and expects every one to believe she's drowned. I suppose because he's the police commissioner, everyone was supposed to believe whatever he said.....like there would be no autopsy to check her lungs, and no one wonders why with a helicopter flying around, the supposed murderer would carry her out and throw her in the pool In the first place. I understand that the police commissioner had to witness the event, so he could play the faux hero, but there had to be a better way. That scene always bothered me. Otherwise, it was a top notch Columbo.

Why Columbo?

[hipchecker20 · 6/10 · 31 July 2018]

Though much of this episode is first rate, the police work, the characters, the direction, I never understood why Columbo was intentionally called in to the first murder.

I count this as the 25th episode. Surely a deputy police commissioner would know how good Columbo is by this time. Why call in Columbo, then go kill your wife.

This negates the good parts. Can't rate it as one of the better episodes.

Ok that's it

[chesterdrumhead · 15 September 2022]

Ok there one guy who always writes reviews here but he find everything stupid, I won't name him he and other people who read reviews will know who he is. First of all about this episode, it's not the caldwell wife who is millionaire, it the commissioner 's wife who is wealthy and the jeweller didn't say that the commissioner's wife was 36, but the Caldwell wife. Before you say that something is stupid, make sure that you watch it carefully. And if you find every Columbo episodes stupid, don't watch it, and go watch "the golden girls " or " made about you " reruns you ass. Ok I am done with that moron, about this episode, that always been and still is one of my favourite episode of Columbo. The story is great, the direction is great, I like the way Columbo develop his investigation. The ending is great too, no doubt that guy will be find guilty. Anyway I blowed my gasket at the beginning, but, hey, when someone says and write stupid stuff, someone got to call him or her out.