(using this screenshot because I found it intriguing how his brain almost clicked the moment he knew the pre-recorded call could have been made from that machine)
Or - ONE MORE QUESTION.
I consider Columbo as one of the greatest TV shows of all times in the detective genre. Peter Falk and the entire team created this untidy and very persistent leutenant, who is easily underestimated.
It is actually interesting to watch Columbo at different ages. When I was younger I definitely cared more about theatrics and overall impression. Now that I'm older and watch it again, of course I pay more attention to details and analyze more. But isn't it intriguing, in many cases you don't know when Columbo actually is on the main culprit, you can guess his suspicions by his questions and sometimes by random things he talks about, but you can feel - he is onto something. And he came to that conclusion at some point earlier. He always acts in awe of things and maybe it feeds the ego of people who try to show off and say more than needed, but he is incredibly sharp. He will stick to details like a plaster. And will appear anywhere and anytime as if he's like a fairy godmother, but with silver handcuffs.
Also Columbo follows the path of we see the murder first and the intrigue instead of "whodunnit" is actually about "how we got them". Columbo says and repeats - there is no perfect murder. So we see the duel of wits between the culprit and Columbo.
I love the part that sometimes it is in the details. It's always in details.
Would like to note that I, like many others, prefer the earliest Columbo, like first 7 seasons or so. It is shot well, it's not bloody at all, yet it's dramatic.
But my poor ears, the soundtrack I think is great and unsettling, yet I always get my head on the verge of a headache when it comes to high-pitched sounds.
- Prescription: Murder (pilot)
- Ransom for a Dead Man (pilot)
- Murder by the Book
- Death lends a hand
- Dead weight
- Suitable for framing (I like the wordplay, because it is about a frame-up but also involves art and paitings)
- Lady in waiting (surprised to see Leslie in here in a serious role)
- Short Fuse (couldn't help making a joke how smoking is dangerous to health when watching)
- Blueprint for murder (Will forever remember this episode, also the scale, I wonder which place they used for it)
TV shows of that period really differ, it's interesting how almost the entire cast are those who are older (and they look the part) and no one is botoxed to heaven.