Columbo (TV Series) A Stitch in Crime (1973) User Reviews

Well enough stitched together Columbo adventure

[The Welsh Raging Bull · 7/10 · 3 January 2003]

This is a largely potent, cleverly-titled and unpredictably effective Season 2 episode from the Columbo series which sees an impulsive and scheming surgeon (played by Leonary Nimoy) murder a nurse who realises that he is going to botch a heart valve operation on his more circumspect and cautious colleague, who are both involved in a revolutionary medical project.

Leonary Nimoy "warms up" in his role as the villain: he is initially a little wooden but ultimately his character provides a stern test for Columbo's powers of deduction and, in turn, Nimoy is very effective in portraying the villain's tenacity and calculating nature.

The script-writer allows the plot to drift a little in mid-section, primarily because of the pursuance of the drug-related theme which is the made-to-look motive used by the killer.

Will Geer's portrayal of his slightly irritating and fussy characterisation is almost too good; since it borders too much towards comedy and this dilutes the tension a little.

The last twenty minutes or so are very well-portrayed: the remarkable thing in this episode is that it is very difficult to anticipate how Columbo will nail the killer. In separate sequences, we see Columbo uncharacteristically lose his temper infront of the murderer and then shake his hand and admit defeat.....

Despite some lesser moments in the middle, the brisk opening and the relentlessly surprising end make this a highly recommended, if not totally faultless Columbo story.

Quintissential Columbo!

[CoastalCruiser · 9/10 · 12 July 2012]

It is clear from perusing the reviews how special this series was to people. For those who don't know, Columbo aired only every 3rd week as part of the NBC Mystery Movie, along with McMillan and Wife (Rock Hudson and Susan St. James), and McCloud (Dennis Weaver from Gunsmoke).

This episode, with our old pal Leonard Nimoy from Star Trek is one of my favorites. Nimoy is quite up to playing out a battle of wits with Peter Falk. The only bummer in this episode was the loss of the beautiful Anne Francis (Forbidden Planet / Honey West) so early in the show.

The key moment in this episode is when Columbo slams the vase (or whatever it was) onto the desk and accuses Nimoy's character of murder. He so rarely loses his cool it's fun to be there when he does.

A movie that handles its usual formula really well.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 8/10 · 26 April 2008]

Of course every Columbo movie is a cat and mouse play between the Lieutenant and the killer but in this movie this is perhaps more the case than in any other Columbo movie. This is mostly due to Leonard Nimoy and Lt. Columbo gets on his back pretty early on during their first meeting already. There is some great interaction between those two. It's great also to see Columbo get angry for once.

Leonard Nimoy is actually one scary looking dude and he has a great villainous look over him. Too bad he never really made a career as playing villains, I'm sure he would had been just perfect for it. He shows some great acting skills in this movie. Also Peter Falk is great once more as the scruffy Lieutenant, that also suffers from insomnia and is ill (again) this time. There is always something unusual going on with him.

The movie features all of the usual Columbo ingredients and it handles them well, so therefor this movie can be regarded as a simply good and also definitely above average Columbo entry. Also the amount of relieving comedy is just enough to also regard this movie as an entertaining one, without loosing any of its credibility as a murder-mystery.

The movie its story is using a fine setting of an hospital, that seems to really suit murder mysteries. It's like the story is really much special but its strong enough to keep you interested throughout. The killer himself is also definitely clever enough to provide the movie with some good clever moments. It's also all being told in a good quick pace, which makes the movie perfectly good to watch. It's one fine put together movie. It's definitely a step up from Hy Averback's previously directed Columbo movie "Columbo: Suitable for Framing". Also makes it sort of too bad that Shirl Hendryx never delivered any more Columbo screenplays. As a matter of fact he hardly wrote anything again after this and it seems to me that it was more of a writer who wrote stage-plays instead.

A great Columbo entry that follows the usual formula and does very little wrong doing so.

8/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Inventive plot, cool adversary, smart comedy, great twist ending: this "Columbo" has it all

[J. Spurlin · 29 March 2005]

What a great "Columbo" episode. For fans, this has everything. A brilliant adversary. A tricky plot. Deftly chosen jokes. And a twist ending that comes like a thunderclap.

Dr. Mayfield (Leonard Nimoy) is a surgeon with an ingenious scheme for murdering the kindly Dr. Hidemann, his infuriatingly cautious partner in a research project. But Hidemann's devoted nurse (Anne Francis) catches on to the scheme, and Mayfield murders her to prevent discovery. It's up to our Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk) not only to find out who killed the nurse but prevent another murder from taking place.

Two things often trip up even the best writers of this series. One is the ending. Too often an episode ends with Columbo revealing a damning piece of evidence that doesn't seem all that damning. Or he tricks the killer into giving himself away, which never quite feels satisfactory. I won't give away this ending, of course. Let's just say it'll please the most demanding fan.

The other thing is the comedy scenes. Columbo affects dimwittedness and bad manners to trick his quarry into underestimating him. But too often the writers seem to think that he is genuinely a buffoon. For instance, there's a terrible scene in "Dagger of the Mind" where he inadvertently creates havoc at an airport. It's not funny, and it's not our Columbo. "A Stitch in Crime," by contrast, has some splendidly comic moments where he is not a clown, just a bit inattentive to manners. What he does with a hardboiled egg is priceless.

He also has the standard scene where something makes him queasy. In "Ransom for a Dead Man" it's the airplane ride. In "Dead Weight" it's the boat ride. Here it's hospitals, especially the operating room. But I like how he's able to steel himself when it really counts. I also love a novel moment. We actually see our faux-obsequious detective drop the pretense and lose his temper. I don't think he's done that since "Prescription: Murder."

Leonard Nimoy is essentially Mr. Spock in a white coat. His Dr. Mayfield is better able to keep his emotions at bay than just about any other murderer in the series. He makes brilliant move after brilliant move, but Columbo checks him every time. And then in the very last frame: checkmate.

Fantastic Columbo story

[Leofwine_draca · 10/10 · 12 April 2016]

A STITCH IN CRIME is one of the finest of the early Columbo episodes. In fact, my only complaint with it is that it's too short, and I would have liked an extra twenty minutes of watching Columbo harassing Leonard Nimoy's villain before the final denouement.

The hospital setting of this story makes for a fun change of pace and there's a notable increase in character comedy from Peter Falk, whether it's cigar stuff, the boiled egg scene, or filling up his plate at a buffet. Nimoy makes for an excellent guest villain and his many scenes with Falk are very well acted and very good fun.

The crucial murder scene is far more complex than normal and involves multiple victims. Nimoy is a proactive villain who goes out of his way to cover up his crimes, so the thing becomes something of a cat and mouse game between detective and killer. The script and production values are exemplary and I can think of nothing to dislike about this one - except I wanted more of it!

How did it take me so long to see this episode?

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 13 March 2011]

No really, as a fan of Columbo I still find it a mystery as how I didn't see this episode until fairly recently. It is a wonderful episode and up there with Ashes to Ashes, Any Old Port in a Storm, By Dawn's Early Light, Etude in Black, Blueprint for Murder and How to Dial a Murder as one of the best episodes of the show.

As is always the case with Columbo, visually A Stitch in Crime is very striking, with skillful photography, lighting and I liked the use of locations too. The music score is good too, not the best, most memorable or most atmospheric of all the Columbo episodes, but it is suitably haunting and there are some memorable parts that don't feel obtrusive.

I was also taken with the story. What I loved most about the other episodes I mentioned in this review was that they all had great premises especially How to Dial a Murder. A Stitch in Crime is no exception. As for the story construction it is very interestingly done, is well paced and the ending wraps things up nicely never being too obvious or confusing. The writing once again is very strong, it is thoughtful sometimes yet the exchanges between Columbo and Mayfield also never fail to amuse and delight.

The acting is very good. Will Geer is quite good, not my initial idea for his character, but he plays him well, and as good as the support playing is without completely standing out particularly from Anne Francis, it is the two leads who really impress. Peter Falk is exceptional as Columbo, which came of no surprise really seeing as he always is even in the odd episode when Columbo isn't quite as well written as he can be. Mayfield for me is one of the most intriguing, smartest and calculating villains/suspects in the Columbo canon, and Leonard Nimoy played him to perfection.

Overall, wonderful and I am cross with myself that it took me so long to see it. 10/10 Bethany Cox

wonderful entry in the series

[blanche-2 · 10/10 · 26 September 2004]

I have loved most of the Columbos. This one is a favorite because of the cast: Leonard Nimoy, Anne Francis, Nita Talbot and Will Geer. There's a wonderful relationship between Geer and Francis, which makes the murders all the sadder.

Nimoy plays a doctor, Dr. Barry Martin, working on a promising research project with an older doctor, Heideman (Geer) who is more conservative. Martin wants to get the work out there; Heideman wants to do more tests and is conversing with another doctor. Since Martin has only attached himself to this project and not done a lot of real work, he's unhappy at the idea of someone else coming in.

When Heideman needs a valve replacement, Martin operates. After the surgery, a nurse (Anne Francis) realizes that he used a different kind of suture. It's actually dissolving suture, so in a few days, it will kill the doctor. Martin kills her before she can investigate.

Of course, leave it to Nita Talbot to provide one of the funniest Columbo scenes, where she describes the differences between herself and her roommate, Francis. Paraphrasing: "She is kind and devoted to helping people, so she works in a hospital...I am only interested in shallow things like money, so I work for a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon." She's fabulous as always.

Great episode, and as someone else said, it's great because you're just not sure how Columbo will get this guy. Also, Martin's arrogance causes Columbo to lose his temper in a great scene.

One of the best.

Someone in the ER has a sick sense of humor.

[mwartoad · 9/10 · 7 November 2009]

Years ago, I had some tingling in my arm and chest pains. So I went to the ER. I knew that things were not good when I had no time in the waiting room and was admitted immediately. I knew it was not good when, I was kept overnight for observations in the ER attached monitors and machines. (Thankful, they checked and I did not have a heart attack.) They did not have any TV access in that room but, they did have some videos in there. And yes you guessed it, this was the episode they had available. Just what I need to see when, I was concerned about a potential heart attack, a story about a evil, corrupt heart surgeon who deliberately screws up operations. Someone there has a strange sense of humor. Fortunately, I was able to laugh it off at the time.

Great acting and well written.

Mainstream Columbo

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 16 November 2005]

Better than average. This episode is from the second season and Columbo was hitting its stride.

The cast is excellent. Will Geer, in particular, is always outstanding. Anne Francis is beautiful and one wonders if she and Peter Falk reminisced about the old days in Ossining, New York, where both of them grew up. I especially liked Nita Talbot as Marcia. She's given the most amusing lines and the most romantically desperate of characters. Explaining to a sleep-deprived unshaven Columbo why she feels guilty: "I chose to work for a plastic surgeon in Beverley Hills, but I don't meet any single men until they're ready for face lifts." The motivation may be a little weak. One scientist invents a new surgical technique and tries to kill another because he wants all the credit. Well, maybe the motive isn't so weak at that. I spent 30 years in research settings and am filled with resentment at the credit I should have gotten for my work, credit which was taken by rivals out to make me look small and insignificant. May their souls rot in -- well. I believe in karma and they'll get theirs alright.

The plot is great though. Columbo gets to display his aversion to hospital sights, sounds, and odors, which is perfectly understandable. And we learn just enough about surgical procedures to follow the machinations of the heavy, Leonard Nimoy.

This is the one in which Columbo loses his temper and slams a water pitcher down on Nimoy's desk.

Excellent distraction.

Good overall with one gripe,for me....

[stevelarner · 8/10 · 7 January 2013]

I liked this episode,Nimoy is excellent and believable as a non-alien, Columbo getting the raving hump when Dr Mayfield laughed right in his face was classic,but the only thing I thought was off was Will Geer's portrayal as Dr Heidemann. He wasn't really the right choice for a doctor,he looks too much like a country bumpkin,not a professional person at all. The weirdest part was right after getting the news about Nurse Sharon Martin, he displays a little shock at first, then in the next sentence he's chuckling away asking Mayfield when he thinks there'll be an improvement in his own heart condition! That didn't ring true to me at all,but a very good entry in the Columbo Canon nonetheless.

strong entry ... Leonard Nimoy shines

[bcstoneb444 · 7/10 · 2 March 2015]

This is one of the more enjoyable Columbo episodes. Leonard Nimoy is a formidable, arrogant murderer who almost gets away with it. There's great, if edgy, chemistry between him and Peter Falk throughout. Nimoy is a great villain with a creepily evil look about him, and I wish he'd played this type of character more often. Also kudos to the brisk direction and spot-on supporting cast, especially Anne Francis. This was a largely improvised murder and cover-up so despite the neck-and-neck story dynamic this case was fairly easy pickings for the detective. As much as this is a fine entry I have a few issues. Mainly the credibility stretching mechanics of the two murders themselves. The Nimoy character may have been a brilliant fellow but he had a pinch of luck working for him. But with our favorite detective luck always runs out.

I think this doctor took the Hypocritical Oath, not the Hippocratic one!

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 18 August 2019]

Dr. Mayfield (Leonard Nimoy) is a very good surgeon and researcher....though as a human being he leaves a lot to be desired. Following surgery on his boss at the hospital, he gets in an argument with his operating room nurse. Moments later, when she's in the garage, he bludgeons her to death! But this isn't just an isolated incident...and soon this doctor is out to kill again....and possibly again!

"A Stitch in Crime" is a very interesting story...one that took a bit of research and imagination to create. I appreciate this and how unique the plot is. Add to that some very nice performances and you've got a very watchable program!

Good but not a convincing plot development

[hermann-eric · 7/10 · 3 November 2009]

While I enjoy this series, I feel like it sometimes suffers from a fatal flaw: Columbo will immediately suspect the criminal--invariably someone of great reputation in the community--without having any good reason to suspect him. As in this episode, when the prestigious doctor becomes a suspect from the get go. Columbo is openly hostile to him in their first meeting, as if the star surgeon at the hospital would naturally be the chief murder suspect after a nurse is killed. Now how realistic is that? It's really a case of laziness by the writers. They've already told us the scheme, but they don't have the patience to let it unfold naturally for Columbo. The better plots move gradually towards suspicion.

Killer Doctor On The Loose In Lesser But Enjoyable Columbo Fare

[ShootingShark · 5/10 · 22 October 2006]

To gain recognition on a research project, an ambitious doctor plans to kill a senior colleague by using dissolvable sutures when performing a heart-valve operation on him, but his plan is discovered by a nurse. When the nurse turns up dead, Columbo has a mystery with no suspects, no witnesses, no clues and no motive ...

This minor-entry Columbo uses one of the classic principles of the series; Columbo has no real evidence, but by constantly hounding the killer he forces him into various actions to try and prove his innocence, all of which subsequently become his undoing. Thus in attempting to kill Geer, Nimoy is forced to kill Francis, plant evidence at her house and kill Martin to make him a scapegoat. But if he hadn't tried to cover his tracks, Columbo would have nothing to pin on him. Nimoy is cool and collected as the methodical killer but is also fairly bland and the best of these little movies feature great star turns (Any Old Port In A Storm, Forgotten Lady, Try And Catch Me). The story is lacking in the usual humour, though there is a jolting moment when Falk gives a rare display of anger. All in all an agreeable but indifferent Columbo entry, with a fine performance by the talented and hard-working Francis as the victim.

Good cat and mouse stuff and some nice additions to the usual formula

[bob the moo · 20 June 2005]

Dr Barry Mayfield is a great surgeon but he knows that he will always play second fiddle to the imminent Dr Hidemann. When Hidemann requires a heart operation, Mayfield performs it but Nurse Martin is very suspicious and believes that Mayfield will let him die during it. Nothing happens during the operation but when Martin discovers a suture on the floor that cannot be accounted for she confronts Mayfield with it. Knowing the game is up if she tells anyone Mayfield kills her and makes it look like a drug killing. It doesn't sit with Columbo and soon Mayfield is trying to help the case along by setting up possible motives for others.

As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula – we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Saying this is not a spoiler – it is simply what happens in all the films. With this film we have things going a little differently, Mayfield's intended victim is actually Hidemann and the murder will take a few days to kick in – however he is forced to do another murder to cover his tracks. It is this second murder that is the crime of the film and also the one that sees the perfect plan fall down. In some regards the lengths that Mayfield goes to to suggest other people for the crime is a bit hard to believe and would surely have made him look guilty, but then I suppose this is what is meant to happen and explains why Columbo is so sure despite the lack of evidence. The cat and mouse stuff is enjoyable and the ending is sudden and enjoyable because the murderer is so close to fooling Columbo.

Falk is as good as always but the additions to his character aren't so well handled; specifically the sudden burst of temper is out of nowhere and would have been better if we had been allowed to see Columbo have a slow burn first. It took me a minute or two till I got into Nimoy in the main role but he was actually pretty good. Nicely assured of himself, Nimoy convinces as Columbo's equal and the fact that they both know what the other is up to makes for some nice tension. Francis, Geer, Talbot and others provide reasonable support but as with all these things it is the lead two that make the film work.

Overall an enjoyable entry in the series that is not a real standout but is easily up to the usual high standard of this generally strong series of television movies.

An adversary as cool as Spock

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 6 May 2012]

In this episode of Columbo, Peter Falk takes down a doctor who is one cool customer as he plans what he thinks is a truly inventive homicide. As his adversary here is Leonard Nimoy who gave us the ultimate in cool under fire in Star Trek as Spock we know we are in for a good battle of wits.

The problem is that Nimoy intends to murder his colleague Dr. Will Geer so he can take over a research project. Certainly something hard to prove except to Anne Francis who catches on really early because of her medical training. That necessitates her murder, done a bit more crudely, but still with Nimoy throwing some real good red herrings in the mix for Peter Falk to field. And there's yet a third murder to cinch up the reason for the Anne Francis murder that has nothing whatever to do with the hospital or Will Geer.

Three murders and like his Spock character, Nimoy doesn't bat an eye. He really turns his Star Trek persona for evil in this Columbo episode. Although Falk notices something that Nimoy inadvertently does when they first meet to zero in on him, still Nimoy is one good adversary.

For fans of Columbo and of Mr. Spock.

Great addition to Columbo's characterization

[CinefanR · 10/10 · 20 November 2012]

Although to me Leonard Nimoy will always be Spock, this fact didn't diminish my enjoyment of this episode, where Columbo gets a difficult case. Even if he's dealing with unknown, difficult medical issues outside his area of expertise, Columbo is on to the killer.

What made this episode a special one is the fact that we get to see another side of Columbo. In a very surprising scene, he loses his temper, dropping his "mask" sooner than usual. That was so unexpected, it's always a treat to discover different aspects of his personality. The last scene is also great, although a bit abrupt. Still, great episode! Columbo never ceases to amaze.

A surprising ending

[clodax2002 · 9/10 · 31 July 2007]

A very good episode, from the points of view of plot and of acting. Falk and Nimoy are great actors, they play a very good and convincing cat-and-mouse game. Dr. Mayfield never openly shows his fear of Columbo, but he's really frightened, and we see it because his moves are always a consequence of his conversations with Columbo: his suggesting the name of (poor!) Harry Alexander, the following killing of the nurse's friend, and the final operation where he tries to cancel evidence of his first attempt at murdering his colleague. The ending is really surprising, as we (and, at first, even Columbo!) would never expect such a cold but - after all - simple move on the part of Dr. Mayfield. This episode gets 9/10. I don't give 10/10 only because I'm still wondering why Columbo didn't interview the other doctor and nurses who took part in the first operation: is it believable that none of them noticed something strange in that thread? Is it possible that nurse Martin was the only one to notice it? That's the only unconvincing point.

Solid Columbo

[bensonmum2 · 8/10 · 20 April 2005]

• One of the better Columbo movies I've seen thus far. The mystery is intelligent and the killer's actions are what you would expect from a doctor. The mystery will keep you guessing up to the last scene. Often, these Columbo movies have a less than satisfactory ending. It's as if the writers too often had no idea how to end the thing and resort to having the killer confess when faced with the flimsiest of evidence. That's not the case here. The evidence, when finally presented, is damning and leaves no doubt about the doctor's guilt.

• Leonard Nimoy makes an excellent advisory for Peter Falk's Columbo. He is essentially playing Mr. Spock - calm, rational, and intelligent. Even with faced with Columbo's erratic behavior, he never loses his cool. In fact, this is one of the few episodes where I remember Columbo losing it. In one scene, he slams a clock to the desk and let's the unflappable Nimoy have it. It's a very uncharacteristic moment for Columbo, but only proves he's human like the rest of us.

• The only real weakness I see in the movie is the decision to cast Will Geer as the head of an important research project. Maybe I saw the Waltons too many times while growing up, but Geer is too kindly and simple to be my ideal choice to play such an important doctor and researcher.

An interesting twist in crime!

[Sylviastel · 7/10 · 19 May 2006]

A Stitch in Crime is a typical Columbo episode with it's usual twists. We know who did it from the every beginning. Leonard Nimoy is superb as the unlikable surgeon who is very vain and conceited in my opinion but I love Leonard Nimoy as an actor anyway. The story is better written than most. They don't spend that much time in the hospital which is nice. Of course, Columbo buts heads with Nimoy's surgeon character quite often enough to irritate him but you can't help but love Columbo. When he catches his man or woman in some cases, it's always the least likely way. He has a good supporting cast but forgettable since I can't remember any of their names.

One of my favorites :)

[zmartever · 10/10 · 18 March 2014]

Leonard Nimoy is excellent as a sociopathic heart surgeon, emotionless as he's bumping off people trying to hide his murder on installment plan. His cold as ice demeanor makes Mr. Spock look like an extrovert. Wonderful performances, great plot and writing. Just one of the all time great vintage episodes. Columbo get's more and more frustrated trying to solve this one but we all know in the end he will.

Best moments: Columbo interviews the shallow roommate of the slain nurse. Amusing little exchange. - Columbo feels ill watching an operation. - Columbo loses his temper with the villain. A rare occurrence in any episode.

Is it ME, who has a logical problem?

[Enneos1 · 7/10 · 10 February 2010]

First I agree, this is a fine Columbo. However, one thing bothers me logically: In the first operation, that Mayfield performed on Dr. Hidemann, he uses a thread, that will dissolve itself, so that the cardiac valve will fall out of its place and consequently kill Dr. Hidemann, which is Mayfield's intention. Correct so far? As Columbo threatens, police will perform an autopsy, if Dr. Hidemann dies, assuming to find NO thread in the heart which would be proof of Dr. Mayfield having used the wrong kind of thread. Correct so far? Therefore Mayfield hastens to perform another operation in order to "exchange" the thread by using the correct permanent thread this time. Now comes my problem: What is it actually, that Columbo can use as proof against Dr. Mayfield? A permanent (correct) thread? What proof would it be? The second operation is "excused" anyway by "urgent" reasons. A dissolving thread? THAT would be a proof. But from where should he get it? It was only used in the first operation, therefore it could only be a bloody(!) tiny something coming out from the wound. But Columbo triumphantly holds a long(!) tuft of clean(!) thread in his hands in the end of the film. What does it prove?

The Operation

[AaronCapenBanner · 9/10 · 21 February 2016]

Leonard Nimoy stars as a skilled but sociopathic surgeon named Dr. Barry Mayfield, who is plotting to kill his mentor Dr. Hidemann(played by Will Geer) during his heart operation, substituting dissolving suture for permanent, because of his stalling on a research project they are both working on, but the attending nurse(played by returning actress Anne Francis) is suspicious, which forces Mayfield to kill her, making it look like the result of illicit drug activity involving a VA patient of hers. This causes Lt. Columbo(Peter Falk) to become convinced of his guilt, though just how can the Lt. outsmart the clever doctor? One of the best episodes of the series, compelling and clever, with a memorable performance by Nimoy as the particularly odious villain that Columbo even loses his temper with, leading to satisfying finish.

Spock/Nimoy Serves Up Bad Crab To Columbo

[DKosty123 · 7/10 · 30 December 2008]

Directed by Hy Averback, veteran sit-com producer/director, this episode is paced more quickly than many Columbo episodes. It is cleverly written and slickly filmed & seems shorter than other shows.

Faulk not only has an excellent villain in Leonard Nimoy to pursue, but has Will Geer (Grandpa Walton) waiting in the wings as another victim of the evil opportunistic doctor Nimoy. Geers role in this is small but effective.

Columbo gets tortured himself in this one as he has a sleepless night and some bad crab at Nimoy's house party making him sick. This gives him a short temper which finally boils over in Nimoy's office late in the show.

Then, there is Nimoy who is a brilliant surgeon but a bumbling criminal who keeps trying and failing to throw Columbo off the scent. In this show he is the anti-Spock as he is neither logical nor anywhere near as smart as he is conceited. It would have been a crime to name him Dr. Spock in this episode as the real Dr. Spock would have really sued Universal.

Did anybody notice "Helen Crump"??

[Ripshin · 19 November 2006]

Aneta Corsaut portrayed Andy Taylor's girlfriend/wife in the top-rated (Number 1!!) TV show, "Andy Griffith." Yet, three years later, she goes by barely noticed in a series of guest supporting TV appearances, as with her Nurse Morgan walk-on here. Interesting.

Overall, a great "Columbo" episode, minus the overacting of the previous two installments.

Perhaps the script goes a bit overboard in portraying Columbo's slovenly appearance and behavior, and I certainly do not want to watch him eat another meal, ever again.

Jared Martin is excellent in his brief appearance, and Geer plays the type of character he specialized in bringing to life. Nimoy is indeed a bit "wooden" at times, but I assume that's why he was cast in the role. Anne Francis's second "Columbo" outing is fine.

Director Averback specialized in TV movies, pilots and series episodes, so the production is professional, is not somewhat pedestrian.

Does anybody know what building is used for exteriors of the hospital?