An Exercise in Fatality (15 Sep. 1974)

A health club owner murders one of his franchisees; Lt. Columbo is on the case.

Director:

Bernard L. Kowalski

Writers:

Peter S. Fischer (teleplay), Larry Cohen (story),

Stars:

Peter Falk, Robert Conrad, Gretchen Corbett

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Robert Conrad	...	Milo Janus
Gretchen Corbett	...	Jessica Conroy
Pat Harrington Jr.	...	Buddy Castle (as Pat Harrington)
Collin Wilcox Paxton	...	Ruth Stafford (as Collin Wilcox)
Philip Bruns	...	Gene Stafford
Jude Farese	...	Al Murphy
Darrell Zwerling	...	Lewis Lacey
Dennis Robertson	...	Jerry
Raymond O'Keefe	...	Sgt. Rickets
Victor Izay	...	Medical Examiner
Eric Mason	...	Fred
J.R. Clark	...	Harry Lassiter
Mel Stevens	...	Dr. Freeman
Manuel DePina	...	Photographer

Storyline

Milo Janus owns a chain of health clubs, but one of his franchisees discovers the man is cheating him - and can prove it to the authorities. Janus responds by murdering his partner and making it look as if he had accidentally killed himself trying to lift a barbell that was too heavy for him. Janus creates a would-be perfect alibi for himself involving a tape recording of his victim's voice, a phone that doesn't light up, a sexy secretary, a party for friends at his house, and a pornographic horror movie. But no alibi is perfect when the rumpled Lt. Columbo is on the case.

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Plot Keywords:

alibi | murder | spa | police | barbell | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 September 1974 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios, Hollywood, CA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min 97 min (DVD release)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Even architecture has been known to make a comeback appearance in "Columbo". A Columbo film that displays the opening street scene to "An Exercise In Fatality" on a TV monitor is Columbo: Death Lends a Hand, near the beginning, in Brimmer's office.

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Goofs

Columbo's hair, sweat and towel whilst exercising on the treadmill vary from shot to shot.

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Quotes

Jessica Conroy: [after Milo leans in to kiss her... and she enjoys it] You know, there's one thing that bothers me about you.
Milo: What's that?
Jessica Conroy: You're a little unsure of yourself.
Milo: I'm very unsure. But I'm encouraged by your response.
[smiles]

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits the usual theme music is not heard. In its place is a jingle for the fictional Milo Janus fitness club instead.

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Soundtracks

"Stout-Hearted Men"
(uncredited)
Music by Sigmund Romberg (1928)
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Instrumenta variation heard satirically while cOlumbo is jogging.

User Reviews

Very good

An Exercise in Fatality is a very good episode. I didn't think though it was outstanding as such, it is slightly overlong with a scene between Columbo and one of the secretaries rather unfunny and feeling padded out, and an ending while interesting stretches on credibility just a tad. However it is still beautifully filmed, tightly directed, atmospherically scored and cleverly scripted. The mystery while following the usual formula(not a bad thing by the way) is still diverting as it should be. Peter Falk continues to delight as Columbo, shrewd, cunning with a good sense of humour. Robert Conrad is an excellent foil as Janus, and the support cast are as solid as you would expect. All in all, a very good episode, and towards the "one of the better episodes" end of the spectrum. 8/10 Bethany Cox