I wasn't a huge fan of this second-rate Columbo episode about a killer dentist. Sure, the murder method is elaborate - some might say too elaborate - but the whole screenplay feels like it's trying too hard to equal the quality of the '70s episodes, and it doesn't. In addition, the cast is generally second tier, and the lack of a decent guest villain really hurts it too.
James Read is the villain here, and again - I'm going to say it - he's rather middling. He's a mild-mannered gambler who has none of the icy tete a tete scenes with the crumpled detective that we know and love from elsewhere. Falk's not bad, and the comedy scenes he's involved in are funny too, but I was too distracted by his ridiculously dyed hair for the most part (why not dye it black instead of that silly brown colour?).
The production values are acceptable and there are some strong supporting actors including Paul Burke, who plays the father in law of the murderer. But overall this is acceptable rather than electrifying, and it could have been so much more in the right hands.
James Read is the villain here, and again - I'm going to say it - he's rather middling. He's a mild-mannered gambler who has none of the icy tete a tete scenes with the crumpled detective that we know and love from elsewhere. Falk's not bad, and the comedy scenes he's involved in are funny too, but I was too distracted by his ridiculously dyed hair for the most part (why not dye it black instead of that silly brown colour?).
The production values are acceptable and there are some strong supporting actors including Paul Burke, who plays the father in law of the murderer. But overall this is acceptable rather than electrifying, and it could have been so much more in the right hands.