Identity Crisis (2 Nov. 1975)

A top CIA operative commits murder the way only a brilliant spy can, never guessing he'll have to contend with a man like Lt. Columbo.

Director:

Patrick McGoohan

Writers:

William Driskill, Richard Levinson (creator),

Stars:

Peter Falk, Patrick McGoohan, Otis Young

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Patrick McGoohan	...	Nelson Brenner
Otis Young	...	Lawrence Melville
Val Avery	...	Louie
Leslie Nielsen	...	Geronimo / "A.J. Henderson"
David White	...	Phil Corrigan
Bruce Kirby	...	Sergeant George Kramer
Vito Scotti	...	Salvatore Defonte
Barbara Rhoades	...	Joyce
William Mims	...	Gallery Attendant
Carmen Argenziano	...	Coroner Anderson
Cliff Carnell	...	Photo Shop Man
Edward Bach	...	Executive
Paul Gleason	...	Parsons
Angela May	...	Ruth

Storyline

The deceptively absent-minded police lieutenant, Columbo, investigates a complex murder case, pitting his wits against a wily secret agent working for a covert government organisation.

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Plot Keywords:

agent | spy | murder | cia | madame butterfly | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 1975 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Biltmore Hotel - 506 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor) (as Technicolor®)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Salvatore Defonte and Columbo chat fluently in Italian.

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Goofs

When Columbo checks with the photo booth regarding identifying photos, he is shown color Polaroid prints from a pack-film camera, and is told they have the negatives as well. The only Polaroid packs which produce a printable negative are in B&W (and the negatives he is shown are indeed B&W).

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Quotes

Lt. Columbo: Who is that behind the fat lady?

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Connections

References Secret Agent X-9 (1945)

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Soundtracks

"Un bel di vedremo"
(uncredited)
from Madama Butterfly
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Heard over the End Credits

User Reviews

Another mystery thriller from the master sleuth

This episode has all the trademarks: Guest appearances by Hollywood notables; memorable one-line throwaway gags; a baffling mystery; familiar L.A. locations; problems with the car ("there's only three like this in the country" he says; and Columbo's tying things together by staying on that one thing that doesn't make sense.

Guest was Leslie Nielsen, looking younger and much more serious than in the other roles I've seen him in.

Can we catalog the great one-liners in these 68 movies? Here are two from this episode: Columbo: "Do you have any wine?" McGoohan: "I have a whole cellar full." Columbo (waving his hand) "Oh, I'll just have a glass." Another classic: McGoohan: "Do you like music?" Columbo: "Oh, I hear it all the time."

Seeing the action at Travel Town, where I took my daughter 10 years ago, added to my enjoyment of this episode.

Maybe it's my tv adjustment, but the clash is getting greater between the color of Columbo's suit and his raincoat ...

Stay the course, Lieutenant Columbo, stay the course.