Requiem for a Falling Star
- Episode aired Jan 21, 1973
- Not Rated
- 1h 14m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
2.8K
YOUR RATING
A faded movie actress commits murder. Lt. Columbo, one of her biggest fans, is on the case.A faded movie actress commits murder. Lt. Columbo, one of her biggest fans, is on the case.A faded movie actress commits murder. Lt. Columbo, one of her biggest fans, is on the case.
Sidney Miller
- Director
- (as Sid Miller)
Dick Crockett
- Policeman
- (uncredited)
Daniel Elam
- Shareholder
- (uncredited)
Len Felber
- Shareholder
- (uncredited)
Bart Greene
- Passerby
- (uncredited)
George Holmes
- Restaurant Patron
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaEdith Head, one of Hollywood's greatest costume designers, was a long-time friend of Anne Baxter. Grady Hunt did the costumes and wardrobe here, but Head makes a guest appearance. Head's designer office is shown during the episode. On the desk are displayed her real seven Academy awards. She had yet to win her eighth and final award, for "The Sting (1973)." She finished her career as the most nominated woman (35 nominations) and also the most honored woman with her eight Oscars, all for Costume Design.
- GoofsThe Jaguar XKE was incinerated and its burned-out hulk was impounded by the police, yet its tires were unscathed.
- Quotes
Lt. Columbo: I had an uncle. He played bagpipes in the shriners band. He couldn't play a note, but nobody could tell the difference.
Featured review
One of the few Columbo stories to successfully incorporate deviations to the usual formula
A Season 2 Columbo story that is primarily notable for it's success in straying slightly from the hitherto successful Columbo formula by installing a plot with twists relating to both motive and murder victim.
Anne Baxter gives a captivating, well-judged performance as a movie star in decline who realises that the blossoming relationship of her secretary and a persistent journalist could uncover her darkest secrets. Her deep-rooted desperation and selfish protectiveness are intriguingly conveyed in a story that is never quite what it seems: the viewer is not armed with all of the incriminating facts from the outset, so although it is not a who-dunnit, it is successfully sustained as a why-did-she-do-it.
Mel Ferrer also gives a decent performance as the journalist and his scenes with Baxter are consistently powerfully staged and purposefully developed.
There is a priceless scene too involving a cameo from real-life costume designer Edith Head, who gives Columbo a lavish tie from her rather vast wardrobe.
One other noteworthy and enjoyable sequence is when Columbo confronts the murderess near the end with the things that bothered him...
The script-writer Jackson Gillis expertly keeps things going at a startlingly frantic pace, and although the coincidence which helps Columbo solve the case is too coincidental, the strength in the plot, script and performances are too be admired, making this a little gem for the Columbo archives.
Anne Baxter gives a captivating, well-judged performance as a movie star in decline who realises that the blossoming relationship of her secretary and a persistent journalist could uncover her darkest secrets. Her deep-rooted desperation and selfish protectiveness are intriguingly conveyed in a story that is never quite what it seems: the viewer is not armed with all of the incriminating facts from the outset, so although it is not a who-dunnit, it is successfully sustained as a why-did-she-do-it.
Mel Ferrer also gives a decent performance as the journalist and his scenes with Baxter are consistently powerfully staged and purposefully developed.
There is a priceless scene too involving a cameo from real-life costume designer Edith Head, who gives Columbo a lavish tie from her rather vast wardrobe.
One other noteworthy and enjoyable sequence is when Columbo confronts the murderess near the end with the things that bothered him...
The script-writer Jackson Gillis expertly keeps things going at a startlingly frantic pace, and although the coincidence which helps Columbo solve the case is too coincidental, the strength in the plot, script and performances are too be admired, making this a little gem for the Columbo archives.
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