Episode cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Peter Falk | ... | Columbo | |
Faye Dunaway | ... | Lauren Staton | |
Claudia Christian | ... | Lisa Martin | |
Armando Pucci | ... | Nick Franco | |
Bill Macy | ... | Ruddick | |
John Finnegan | ... | Barney | |
Doug Sheehan | ... | Riley | |
Shelley Morrison | ... | Nick's Maid | |
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Tom Henschel | ... | Fingerprint Man |
Jack Shearer | ... | Investigator #1 | |
Shashawnee Hall | ... | Investigator #2 | |
Stewart J. Zully | ... | Investigator #3 | |
Bruce Ed Morrow | ... | Medical Examiner (as Bruce E. Morrow) | |
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Heath Kizzier | ... | Photo Clerk |
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Daniel Trent | ... | Detective #1 (as Daniel T. Trent) |
Lauren Staton and Lisa Martin kill their two-timing lover Nick Franco. Lauren's the one who pulled the trigger, and they've made it look like Franco was killed by a burglar in his apartment. They've prepared well, with both having solid alibis. Lt. Columbo is in charge of the case and is very much attracted to the beautiful Lauren. She uses that to her advantage and is soon buying him gifts and giving him the odd kiss. Columbo is flattered but begins to see anomalies in some of the physical evidence. He becomes certain that Lauren is involved in Franco's death but realizes he will only be able to make an arrest if he gets a confession. He manages to get that, but even he is surprised when learns of her true relationship to Lisa. Written by garykmcd
This has got to be one of the best written Columbo episodes. Not that it's more clever than others (but it's not stupid either) but it's just more layered. Because of this, this Columbo movie entry can also be seen as one that doesn't stick necessarily purely just to the usual formula.
It's a surprising thing that this episode was written by Peter Falk himself. Amazing since he had never written a screenplay in his life before (at least not one that got turned into a movie) and it as of yet is also the last and only one he ever penned down. I guess starring in so many Columbo movies makes you an expert on police thrillers and Peter Falk one day decided to write down some of his own ideas. The result is a more personal Columbo movie, in which we get to see a more personal side (do we?) of the Lieutenant when he apparently falls for the charms of a young(er) beautiful woman, who however also happens to be the suspect in a murder case.
It's perhaps also a movie that moves along a bit slower than the usual Columbo movie entry. This is because the movie also focuses more on its characters, instead of just purely its murder plot. Still the movie itself also features some nice twists and other clever detective movie aspects. The lover of this genre will surely enjoy this movie even if that one isn't familiar with 'Columbo'.
Another nice thing about this movie is that is stars Faye Dunaway, who of course is a big star, especially back in those days. She plays a good role. We as the viewers knows what she is doing and that she is manipulating but yet we still care for- and appreciate the character, which is really thanks to Dunaway's performance. It's great to see her in the sequences together with Peter Falk. There was some good movie chemistry there.
A better- and slightly different than usual Columbo movie.
8/10
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