Columbo 

Los Angeles homicide detective Lieutenant Columbo uses his humble ways and ingenuous demeanor to winkle out even the most well-concealed of crimes.

Creators:

Richard Levinson, William Link

Stars:

Peter Falk, Mike Lally, John Finnegan

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 20 wins & 49 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Peter Falk	...	Columbo 68 episodes, 1971-2003

Storyline

When you first saw him, Lieutenant Columbo looked like a bum that just came off the street. He had a bumbling demeanor, was overly polite and seemed to chomp on the same short cigar on a daily basis. However, beneath all that comical exterior was probably the most dogged investigator in the Los Angeles Police Department. Columbo was often called on to investigate high profile murders that involved the rich and famous. The culprits were often amused by him, and just as they thought they were going to get away with murder, Columbo would find a way to trap them or find enough evidence to make them confess.

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Plot Keywords:

cult tv | police protagonist | detective series | one word title | unseen wife | 

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Taglines:

Just one more thing...

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 March 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Columbo

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

NBC Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min (41 episodes) 75 min (27 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (45 episodes) Stereo (24 episodes)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Peter Falk's real-life wife Shera Danese appeared in six episodes, each time as a completely unique character.

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Goofs

In this 1968 two hour Pilot, (about 1hr-34min in), Columbo is waiting for the suspect's lover to approach him at the movie studio. The long shot, from behind and above Columbo, shows him standing next to the ice cream truck, and placing his briefcase on the ground, to the left and front of him. A tight-shot from Columbo's front, now shows the briefcase tight and to his left leg, while Columbo rips the wrapper from his Popsicle, and he THROWS the wrapper to the ground behind him. The next shot is again the long shot from behind and above Columbo. His briefcase is now, again, to his left and in front of him, and there is no sign of the Popsicle wrapper which he just threw on the ground behind him.

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Quotes

Columbo: Oh, I didn't come to ask any more questions. I came to arrest you.

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Connections

Referenced in NCIS: Los Angeles: Higher Power (2011)

User Reviews

Best 'Tec Of The 1970's

Growing up in the early 1970's there were a few TV shows which I would call "iconic"; "Kung Fu" was one, and the UK series "Thriller" was another. But if we had pizza in those days the one series which would make you want to open a beer and heat up a pizza was "Columbo". We all know the story; you see the murder and Columbo gradually pieces together the clues, often by thinking "what would I do in that situation?". In one episode the murderer gives a kid some money to go to the movies and Columbo says "did he ever do that before?". The kid replies "No, never, is it important?" and Columbo replies "Well when people do things they never did before that bothers me!". And that is his modus operandi; no matter how carefully the murder is planned, the killer always forgets something. He had a host of stellar co-stars but the standouts are Robert Culp (my favourite), Patrick McGoohan and Jack Cassidy. Although Peter Falk passed away 1.5 years ago he has left a body of work to be celebrated forever.