Suitable for Framing 

A wealthy art collector is murdered, and all signs point to a robbery gone wrong. But the nephew's alibi is a little too convenient, and Columbo pulls a fast one to ferret out the killer.

Director:

Hy Averback

Writers:

Jackson Gillis, Richard Levinson (created by)

Stars:

Peter Falk, Ross Martin, Don Ameche

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Ross Martin	...	Dale Kingston
Don Ameche	...	Frank Simpson
Kim Hunter	...	Edna Matthews
Rosanna Huffman	...	Tracy O'Connor
Joan Shawlee	...	Mitilda
Barney Phillips	...	Captain Wyler
Mary Wickes	...	Landlady
Vic Tayback	...	Sam Franklin
Sandra Gould	...	Matron
Curt Conway	...	Evans
Claude Johnson	...	Policeman
Dennis Rucker	...	Parking Boy (Joe)

Storyline

Lt. Columbo investigates the murder of Rudy Matthews, an art collector found shot to death in his home. The killer is the dead man's nephew, art critic Dale Kingston, who, with the help of his accomplice Tracy O'Connor, effectively masks the time of death to give himself an alibi at an art exhibit. From the outset, Columbo can't quite understand why the thief would have first selected a painting of lesser value before suddenly switching to the two most valuable paintings after the killing. Kingston tries to point Columbo in the direction of his aunt, Matthews' ex-wife Edna. The fact that Matthews left his entire art collection to her seems to support that idea. Columbo isn't buying it and sets a clever trap for him.

---

Plot Keywords:

mercedes benz | volkswagen beetle | reference to edgar degas | reference to grauman's chinese theatre | reference to henri matisse | 

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

The night time exterior shot of the apartment of the art critic Dale Kingston visited by Columbo was 882 N.Doheny where Marilyn Monroe lived twice in 1953 and 1961.

---

Goofs

At 5min 30 in the beginning, when Dale Kingston answers the door, the shadow of the boom microphone moves on the door.

---

Quotes

Lt. Columbo: [Columbo shows Dale Kingston a print he bought of a painting by Sam Franklin] What do you think? Any good?
Dale Kingston: For wallpaper in a child's room, absolutely perfect. In fact, looks like it might have been done by an untalented twelve-year-old.
Lt. Columbo: You know, I was kind of afraid you were gonna say something like that. But you know, then I say, why would you bother to go there last night, if this guy's stuff is so bad? I mean, this was painted by the artist whose exhibit you were covering...
Dale Kingston: Lieutenant Columbo...
[...]

---

Soundtracks

Etude in E major op. 10 No. 3
by Frédéric Chopin
Heard during the murder sequence

User Reviews

very entertaining

This early season episode has an interesting twist about an art critic who murders his wealthy uncle in order to inherit an elaborate art collection, with the help of a young art student. Ross Martin portrays the snobbish nephew who devised the murderous scheme, and is questioned a few times by Columbo. Martin and Peter Falk have great chemistry, and I believe they were acquaintances many years ago as young actors, and you can tell they're both comfortable with each other in this segment also. Many familiar faces are present, like Don Ameche, Vic Tayback, and Kim Hunter and all add certain flavor in this episode as different, somewhat flamboyant characters. To me, Martin makes this episode shine, and it's especially amusing the way he knows that Columbo is after him, even though the detective plays coy as usual. Watch for some pretentious art types, and strange paintings as well.

My only qualm here is how confident and cocky the suspect acts around Columbo, and practically wears guilt on his sleeve. Many episodes make the suspect a bit too arrogant, and that's after the murder's been committed.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 November 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mord in Pastell

Filming Locations:

653 N. La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1