Columbo
The bestColumboepisodes show why the series has been called one of thebest slaying mystery shows of all time . Peter Falk make one of the most unique and brilliant fictional detective with his execution as the nominal cop . Columbo is a lieutenant who investigates murders and suspicious deaths with his own trenchant oddball approach . He add up across as a bit of a bumbling sleuth , but as he step by step and politely digs deeper into the verity , he always cracks the causa .
Columboset itself aside from many murder mystery show of its kind by showing the interview who the killer is upfront . The formatting of the show then focuses on the orca ’s attempts to get away and cover up the crime , only for Columbo to begin snooping around . It is a series that perfectly blends murderous intrigue with a charming sense of humor . Falk is unforgettable in the lead role . and he has some awe-inspiring guest stars to play with . While not every storyline is memorable , the bestColumboepisodes are both thrilling and satisfying .
10Swan Song
Season 3, Episode 7
Peter Falk is the magic behind the series in the titular use , but it is a lot of fun seeing the variousguest stars onColumbo . One of the most unexpected and memorable was country medicine ikon Johnny Cash , who fully bosom his outlaw persona in play the orca in the episode " Swan Song " . Cash ’s Tommy Brown is a country gospel singing Isaac Merrit Singer whose career is held in blackmail by his married woman , who pull him out of his convict living to force him to be part of her mission to spread the watchword of God .
In an effort to escape her control and make some real money , Brown sleuth a minor plane collapse . It is sure enough one of the most elaborated murder plots on the show , even straining credulity at times . However , Cash bring his natural charisma mixed with darkness to the persona . Tommy is also a slayer who is able to catch Columbo off guard at times , making for some hilarious scenes with Falk .
9The Bye-Bye Sky High I.Q. Murder Case
Season 6, Episode 3
One of the good thing about the role of Columbo is how much mass underestimate him . Because of his bumbling nature and seemingly confused questions , many of the criminals he comes up against feeling like they can well overreach him , which is just what he want them to imagine . In " The Bye - Bye Sky High I.Q. Murder Case " , Columbo do up against a certify superstar with Oliver Brandt ( Theodore Bikel ) being a appendage of a society of high IQ citizenry . Brandt feels that he has tear off the most indiscernible murder of his snooping friend and associate .
Brandt makes for a very entertaining slayer as this tortured genius , and his conversations with Columbo help to reveal look of the titular police detective that have never been addressed . The episode is also one of the funniest of the entire serial , a reminder of its smashing mix of clowning and crime . This work up to the wonderful termination with Columbo using Brandt ’s monumental ego against him in a really satisfying way . As a incentive , the episode also features a small former role for Jamie Lee Curtis .
8Murder By The Book
Season 1, Episode 1
The first episode ofColumboalso has the distinction of beingdirected by Steven Spielbergbefore his breakout Hollywood hit , Jaws . In an pertinent fashion of address Columbo as a Modern detective on television , this opening mystery centers around a criminal offense writer being kill by his business partner . Jack Cassidy plays the liquidator , Ken Franklin , the business - minded of the two partners , who is not only make back at his cooperator for attempting a solo calling but also wants to flex his own egotism by pulling off the perfect offence .
From the arresting opening shot , Spielberg demonstrate his self-assurance as a filmmaker and the skills he would later bring to blockbuster movies . The filmmaking help to establishColumboas something special on television system , while the writing presents a gripping thrill ride . Cassidy is a tremendous villain with his arrogance only outgo by his pitilessness . Along with being one of the best episode ofColumbo , this first glimpse of the show ’s brilliance is also one of the most crucial .
7Étude In Black
Season 2, Episode 1
Though he is comfortably bonk for his role as Columbo , Peter Falk had a fantastic acting vocation outside of the show , including appearing in a number of John Cassavetes film . Cassavetes returns the favor by appearing as the scoundrel in this standout episode ofColumbowhile also giving one of his best performances . The late actor plays Alex Benedict , a celebrated conductor who murder a young and talented piano player so as to hide his function with her .
Not amazingly , it is a lot of merriment see Cassavetes and Falk share the screen and represent off each other as adversaries . However,“Étude in Black " delivers some of the most charming moment for Columbo himself , really cement him as a great type . The episode also introduces his trusty dog , Dog . However , the best moment comes as Columbo finds himself at the abandoned Hollywood Bowl and begins playing " Chopsticks " on the piano with glee .
6By Dawn’s Early Light
Season 4, Episode 3
While Columbo might maintain an amiable demeanor even when inquire murders , he has try out many metre that he is not intimidated by anyone , including those of great federal agency . " By Dawn ’s Early Light " sees Columbo investigating a slaying at a military honorary society with Colonel Lyle C. Rumford ( Patrick McGoohan ) taking out a fellow police officer and framing a untested plebe for the crime .
McGoohan induce for one of the most memorableColumboguest whiz , supply a cold and figure scoundrel whose plan is one of the most thrilling of any murderer on the show . However , the real treat in this episode is how the titular torpedo goes about his probe . want to get immersed in the spirit of the cadets , Columbo displace into the academy and populate like them , sleep in the bunkhouse , eating meals with them , and going through their drills . It hand over some of the funniest present moment in the serial .
5Negative Reaction
Season 4, Episode 2
Dick Van Dyke’sMary Poppinsperformancecemented his gleeful and cordial personality that most fans recall him for . That makes his role as a orca inColumboall the more effective . Van Dyke star in " Negative Reaction " as Paul Galesko , an acclaimed photographer who is married to a controlling and meanspirited adult female . However , Galesko acquire a dark approach to direct tutelage of his marital issues by staging a ransom situation with his wife in which he kills her in the process , then proceeds to put an innocent military man and murder him as well .
Van Dyke ’s carrying out is cool in how reserved it is . There is an especially efficacious tantrum in which Galesko explains to his tied - up married woman all the way she has mistreated him over the years , justifying his action but showing no emotion as he does so . It is a great subversive activity of the actor ’s reputation and indicate novel sides of the legendary performer ’s talents .
4Try And Catch Me
Season 7, Episode 1
Thebooks by Agatha Christielikely had a big influence onColumbo , which is what makes the episode " Try and entrance Me " so much playfulness . Oscar - achiever Ruth Gordon takes on the liquidator role as a mystery author , Abigail Mitchell , who is win over her nephew - in - law is responsible for the slaying of her beloved niece . With the police force ruling it an accident , Abigail decides to get justice herself , kill the supposed killer and using her closed book cognition to throw off the police .
This reach for an ideal frame-up , as Abigail is present with the kind of magnificent investigator that she would let in in her own novel , in the strain of Columbo . Another highlight of the episode isthe interaction between Gordon and Peter Falk , as Columbo seems to sympathize with Abigail more than most killer on the show , even if that does n’t mean he ’s willing to let her get away with it .
3A Stitch In Crime
Season 2, Episode 6
" A Stitch in Crime " isanother example ofColumboexcelling in casting the episode ’s villain . In this lawsuit , Leonard Nimoy steps far away from his iconic wedge role asSpock onStar Trekand roleplay one of the most inhuman - blooded killers onColumbo . Nimoy ’s Dr. Barry Mayfield is an opportunistic Dr. who wants full course credit for grow a groundbreaking Modern drug . In an effort to do so , he attempts to kill the project ’s lead researcher , another respected medico , by sabotaging the man ’s routine surgery .
Interestingly , the execution in question is not the one that was ab initio intend . or else , Mayfield ’s actions are noticed by a nurse who he kill to cover his tracks . The emotionless path Nimoy play the character is wonderfully counterpoint with his later scene of haughtiness in the face of the investigation . It is also a large instalment for Peter Falk as it tolerate new shades of Columbo with him butting heads with Mayfield and indicate real anger towards the man which is not often seen from the laidback detective .
2A Friend In Deed
Season 3, Episode 8
" A Friend in Deed " begin as a uniqueColumboepisode as the chief villain is not the murderer . Instead , Mark Halperin ( Richard Kiley ) settle to aid his friend cover up the fact that he killed his wife by stroke . However , Halperin ’s true villainy is shown when he then forces that Quaker to return the favour and kill off Halperin ’s own wife . To add to the mephistophelean nature of the man , Halperin is also revealed to be a police force commissioner and Columbo ’s boss .
This episode highlight the fact that Columbo has often seemed like an outcast in the police force . His methods are unorthodox and some of his fellow police officers laugh at him behind his back , but Columbo is ultimately the best cop around because he can not be corrupted . Seeing him narrow in on his superior officer without hesitancy gives Columbo one of the most heroic episodes of the serieswithin one of its darkest narration .
1Any Old Port In A Storm
Season 3, Episode 2
Before pick out on the part of Dr. Sam Loomis intheHalloweenfranchise , Donald Pleasence played a sea wolf himself in the best episode ofColumbo . In " Any Old Port in a Storm " , he is Adrian Carsini , a wine cognoscente who murders his half - chum when he plans to betray the land on which their winery is located . While he stages it to look like a scuba diving chance event , it does n’t take long for Columbo to see past this artifice and appear for the the true in the world of wine .
Columbo usually seems one step ahead of the murderers from the beginning , but this installment confront something interesting as he does n’t realize vino and the technique behind it , but has to realize this new cognition to crack the suit . The performances are the highlight of the sequence as Peter Falk and Pleasence act off each other wonderfully , with Carsini put up a dissimilar form of villain who is more desperate than malicious .
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Cast
Columbo is a criminal offence drama TV series featuring Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo , a astute but unassuming homicide detective in the LAPD . Known for his dishevelled appearance and seemingly scatterbrained demeanor , Columbo uses his slap-up sixth sense and relentless inquiring to solve complex case . The serial is noted for its unique data formatting where the audience sees the crime spread out and watches Columbo piece together the clues to get the culprit .
Custom image by Colin McCormick
Columbo is a crime drama TV series featuring Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo, a shrewd but unassuming homicide detective in the LAPD. Known for his disheveled appearance and seemingly scatterbrained demeanor, Columbo uses his keen insight and relentless questioning to solve complex cases. The series is noted for its unique format where the audience sees the crime unfold and watches Columbo piece together the clues to catch the culprit.
