It's All in the Game 

A mother and daughter pair kill their two-timing lover, and the mother tries to seduce Columbo in an effort to divert suspicion.

Director:

Vincent McEveety

Writers:

Richard Levinson (created by), William Link (created by)

Stars:

Peter Falk, Faye Dunaway, Claudia Christian

Cast

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
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)
Heath Kizzier	...	Photo Clerk
Daniel Trent	...	Detective #1 (as Daniel T. Trent)

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

gambling | reverse footage | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le meurtre aux deux visages

Filming Locations:

14622 Ventura Blvd Ste 104, Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

With the exception of the two pilot episodes, this is the only episode where the phrase "Peter Falk as Columbo" appears in one frame at the beginning. Usually, "Peter Falk as" is shown first, followed by "Columbo" in a separate frame.

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Goofs

Columbo attempts to determine why the ice melted in the small refrigerator, he determines one if the top outlet is connected to a different circuit breaker than the bottom outlet. Standard duplex electrical outlets sold in the US for many decades allow for "split outlet" wiring. This means the top and bottom receptacles can be powered by two different sources of electricity. Typically this is to allow one outlet to be switched (typically for a plug-in lamp controlled by a wall switch), but what is shown here is easily accomplished for whatever reason, by a home do-it-yourselfer with outlets sold anywhere inside the US. Anyone who has ever stayed in rental property where a clock radio was inadvertently plugged into a switched outlet, and then turned the radio off or on with the click of a switch, can vouch for how easy it is to not realize what has been done within the walls.

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Quotes

Laura Staton: You've come to tell me you can't make it tonight?
Lt. Columbo: Oh, nooooo.
Laura Staton: You've come to tell me there's one more thing?
Lt. Columbo: [Breaks into a huge grin] That's a yes.

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Connections

Referenced in Faye Dunaway: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival (2017)

User Reviews

One of the better newer ones!

I have to say that this episode of Columbo is a lot better than the newer ones that started coming back in 1990 with new episodes. It's still the same Columbo though and I would have him anyway to watch. Lieutenant Columbo is one of the best characters on television today or ever. He has charisma, charm, and class. Columbo is also one of the most intelligent characters on television as well. He doesn't dumb down his suspects or the audience. So this episode was indeed worth watching because of Faye Dunaway's performance. I think she is one of the best American actresses around today. She won an Emmy award for her performance in this film. Faye always has class and style. Her character is equally delicious to watch as she does what she does. I won't spoil the plot. It's great for Faye Dunaway fans and it shows that older women are more like fine wine. I wish Faye would do more acting but they would cast her in grandmother roles rather than the seductive, sensual woman that she exhibits on screen. She is one of America's legends on screen and she should be still working. She has talent, beauty, and intelligence.