The 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.
Tommy Brown learned to parachute in the Air Force. Johnny Cash served in the Air Force in real life.
Tommy Brown hides sedatives in his guitar case before going to the airport. Johnny Cash once was arrested for hiding sedatives and amphetamines in his guitar case at an airport.
As Tommy Brown (Johnny Cash) walks away from Columbo to board a flight, he sings, sotto voce, Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Morning Coming Down", which was a huge hit for Cash.