Columbo has always been one of my favourites, and while Candidate for Crime is not quite in my top 10 favourite episodes of the series, but it is for me in the top end. Like with all Columbos it is beautifully filmed with striking locations and slick photography, with an atmospheric score. The writing is witty and intelligent, with the comedy well-judged and delivered without feeling too padded out, and Candidate for Crime has one of the cleverest and most interesting story- lines of any Columbo episode. The pacing is fine, it is not fast-paced strictly speaking but the quality of the story made that not matter at all. Peter Falk is exceptional as Columbo, the role that I will always remember him most for, and Jackie Cooper is wonderfully stern and smarmy. The two of them work really well together. The support cast are solid, and the ending left me satisfied. Overall, one of the better episodes of one of the best detective series of all time. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Review of Candidate for Crime
