Swan Song
- Episode aired Mar 3, 1974
- TV-PG
- 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
A gospel singer wants to be rid of his zealous wife. But a murder made to look like an airplane accident does not fool the wily Lt. Columbo.A gospel singer wants to be rid of his zealous wife. But a murder made to look like an airplane accident does not fool the wily Lt. Columbo.A gospel singer wants to be rid of his zealous wife. But a murder made to look like an airplane accident does not fool the wily Lt. Columbo.
Don Mantooth
- Phil
- (as Donald Mantooth)
Douglas Dirkson
- Jeff
- (as Doug Dirkson)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe black guitar used in this episode is the first ever black Martin D-35 guitar. Johnny Cash had the luthiers of the Martin company make him this one-of-a-kind guitar without the permission or knowledge of Martin's president, C. F. Martin III. Mr. Martin never wanted his company to make a black guitar and was against making one. Martin didn't find out that the guitar had been built until he saw Cash playing the black Martin on this show. The first black Martin became Johnny's favorite guitar, and he used it on many recordings and on concerts for the next 20 years. The Martin company eventually came to accept the black Martin and has made two different tribute guitars to Cash - The Black Martin D-35 and the Black Martin DX.
- GoofsThe odds of Tommy's parachute landing being anywhere near the scene of the plane crash would be near zero, especially since the plane continued flying after Tommy jumped out. Yet, Tommy managed to limp to the crash site on his injured leg.
- Quotes
Lt. Columbo: My ears pop in an elevator. As a matter of fact, I don't even like being this tall.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Blow up: Le web magazine cinéma d'Arte: Johnny Cash (2019)
Featured review
The case of the jovial murderer.
Clumsy insertion of stock footage
wife blackmailing him to continue
homemade parachute
Aside from a few minor complaints (the use of clumsily inserted stock footage at the beginning and the overuse of the song "I Saw the Light"), this is a very good episode of "Columbo" and features a very likable murderer!
When the story begins, Tommy Brown (Johnny Cash) is completing yet another successful concert. However, despite his gospel music, he's a very earthy man and we soon discover this when his wife (Ida Lupino) confronts him. What had he done? Oh, not much....just statutory rape! Then, to hide this crime, he concocts a very elaborate plane crash which kills both the victim and Tommy's wife. Can Columbo figure out that there's more to the crash than meets the eye?
Johnny Cash was a good actor and through the 1960s and 70s, he did quite a bit of acting. In this case, he managed to make his evil character seem a bit nice....rather likable in fact. And, not surprisingly, Columbo seems to like him as well....though, as you must remember, murder isn't a very nice thing to do! Overall, well written, acted and a nice finale.
Aside from a few minor complaints (the use of clumsily inserted stock footage at the beginning and the overuse of the song "I Saw the Light"), this is a very good episode of "Columbo" and features a very likable murderer!
When the story begins, Tommy Brown (Johnny Cash) is completing yet another successful concert. However, despite his gospel music, he's a very earthy man and we soon discover this when his wife (Ida Lupino) confronts him. What had he done? Oh, not much....just statutory rape! Then, to hide this crime, he concocts a very elaborate plane crash which kills both the victim and Tommy's wife. Can Columbo figure out that there's more to the crash than meets the eye?
Johnny Cash was a good actor and through the 1960s and 70s, he did quite a bit of acting. In this case, he managed to make his evil character seem a bit nice....rather likable in fact. And, not surprisingly, Columbo seems to like him as well....though, as you must remember, murder isn't a very nice thing to do! Overall, well written, acted and a nice finale.
helpful•163
- planktonrules
- Aug 26, 2019
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Schwanengesang
- Filming locations
- 861 Flintridge Avenue, La Cañada Flintridge, California, USA(Home location, demolished 2022)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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