Requiem for a Falling Star

This otherwise average Columbo episode is redeemed by the charismatic performance of the great Anne Baxter. She's incredibly beautiful and steals every scene she's in. Her deliciously campy take on a Norma Desmond-esque movie queen is a pure delight. She even has a Desmond-like, eminently noirish name of Nora Chandler. Anyway Nora is being blackmailed and of course resorts to murder. Baxter and Peter Falk have a nice, edgy chemistry. Their back-and-forth is remarkable even by Columbo standards of detective and suspect. Whether she planned it or not Miss Baxter manages to upstage Peter Falk in every scene they're in together. Nice movie business backdrop, including a cameo by Edith Head. Old pros Kevin McCarthy and Mel Ferrer add support, though the Frank Converse character seems unnecessary. Richard Quine's direction keeps things moving along.