I kept wondering why I hadn't seen this one until recently because I thought that I had seen all of the Columbo episodes during the first run on NBC. Apparently, I hadn't and it wasn't until I purchased the fifth season compilation that I "caught up."
Well, having now viewed the installment from '76, I can honestly say that I didn't miss much.
"Last Salute to the Commodore" is basically a 50/50 show, with a mixture of the good and the bad.
The bad: 1) The "mystery" takes way too long to be solved, a surprising turn since the show was directed by Patrick McGoohan who had proved himself so capable, before and behind the camera in two earlier episodes. 2) Robert Vaughn just seems bored to death, though he does provide some amusing facial expressions in dealing with Peter Falk's rumpled detective. 3) Joshua Bryant, as the loyal employee of the late commodore, overacts big time, especially during the final fourth of the episode. 4) Horrible score by Bernardo Segall
The good: 1) Diane Baker's performance as Vaughn's alcoholic wife is Emmy-worthy. 2) The fact that the prime suspect "bites the dust" is an interesting turn for the series. 3) Falk humming the "unofficial" theme song, "This Old Man" at the end of the show is a cute touch.
And probably the major "plus" is the effective use of what-could-be-best-described as the show's repertory company, actors who had appeared in the show more than once: Vaughn, John Dehner, Sir Wilfred Hyde-White, Bruce Kirby, and Fred Draper, the latter receiving a significant "promotion" in the guest star department in this one.
The only one who's missing is Vito Scotti!
Well, having now viewed the installment from '76, I can honestly say that I didn't miss much.
"Last Salute to the Commodore" is basically a 50/50 show, with a mixture of the good and the bad.
The bad: 1) The "mystery" takes way too long to be solved, a surprising turn since the show was directed by Patrick McGoohan who had proved himself so capable, before and behind the camera in two earlier episodes. 2) Robert Vaughn just seems bored to death, though he does provide some amusing facial expressions in dealing with Peter Falk's rumpled detective. 3) Joshua Bryant, as the loyal employee of the late commodore, overacts big time, especially during the final fourth of the episode. 4) Horrible score by Bernardo Segall
The good: 1) Diane Baker's performance as Vaughn's alcoholic wife is Emmy-worthy. 2) The fact that the prime suspect "bites the dust" is an interesting turn for the series. 3) Falk humming the "unofficial" theme song, "This Old Man" at the end of the show is a cute touch.
And probably the major "plus" is the effective use of what-could-be-best-described as the show's repertory company, actors who had appeared in the show more than once: Vaughn, John Dehner, Sir Wilfred Hyde-White, Bruce Kirby, and Fred Draper, the latter receiving a significant "promotion" in the guest star department in this one.
The only one who's missing is Vito Scotti!