The main difference between the early Columbo's and the later ones from the late eighties and 90's were I felt the later episodes lacked the star power of the shows from the 70's. But in 1990 long time actor and director Patrick Mcgoohan returns to play the villain for the third time in Agenda for Murder. This episode was just brilliant and to see Falk and Mcgoohan playing cat and mouse 16 years after their first stint in " By dawns early Light " was just breathtaking. The line of the show is when Columbo parks in Mcgoohans parking stall and Mcgoohan states sarcastically to his secretary " What is that oxidized relic doing in my parking spot ". My God that was great and this show will keep you on the edge until the very end. It's the best the later episodes have to offer so seek it out.
32 Reviews
It restores your faith in the new Columbo movies
The Welsh Raging Bull17 October 2006
The effervescent Patrick McGoohan plays a Columbo murderer for the third time (and does a directorial turn to boot), as he depicts the hitherto untouchable lawyer, Oscar Finch, whose past comes back to haunt him in the form a notorious racketeer, Frank Staplin, who threatens to expose a 21 year old scandal in which Finch bribed the District Attorney at the time, Paul Mackey (who is now running for Vice President) to discard vital evidence that would have had severe consequences for Staplin.
McGoohan's performance deservedly won him an Emmy - McGoohan encapsulates the "charm" of a Columbo villain effortlessly with a crisp, precise and purposeful portrayal, tinged with a mild eccentricity, ensuring that his scenes with Falk have a razor-sharp entertainment value.
The script-writer, Jeffrey Bloom, also ensures that the vital commodity of humour is inserted at several well-timed moments in this TV movie, and like the 1973 episode from the original Columbo series "Candiadate for Crime", Columbo's intrusions with key personnel become increasingly antagonising as the presidential campaign reaches it's climax.
Satisfying as a whole, the episode is really only guilty of losing some its initial zest and pace around its mid-section when some of the investigation becomes a little drawn-out as the discussion of the clues becomes deliberately selective and individualised.
The resolution is totally unexpected and it astounds the murderer and viewer in equal measure: a devilishly clever element to a largely solid, well-made adventure for Columbo, which is probably one of the most polished stories of Columbo's latter-day movies.
McGoohan's performance deservedly won him an Emmy - McGoohan encapsulates the "charm" of a Columbo villain effortlessly with a crisp, precise and purposeful portrayal, tinged with a mild eccentricity, ensuring that his scenes with Falk have a razor-sharp entertainment value.
The script-writer, Jeffrey Bloom, also ensures that the vital commodity of humour is inserted at several well-timed moments in this TV movie, and like the 1973 episode from the original Columbo series "Candiadate for Crime", Columbo's intrusions with key personnel become increasingly antagonising as the presidential campaign reaches it's climax.
Satisfying as a whole, the episode is really only guilty of losing some its initial zest and pace around its mid-section when some of the investigation becomes a little drawn-out as the discussion of the clues becomes deliberately selective and individualised.
The resolution is totally unexpected and it astounds the murderer and viewer in equal measure: a devilishly clever element to a largely solid, well-made adventure for Columbo, which is probably one of the most polished stories of Columbo's latter-day movies.
Agenda for Murder
Prismark109 April 2018
Orson Welles once said that Patrick McGoohan should had been a big movie star. Born in New York of Irish parents, he grew up in Yorkshire. McGoohan conquered British television at an early age with two hit shows, Danger Man and The Prisoner.
He turned down the role of James Bond as well as other romantic or action leading roles because apparently he would have it stipulated in his contract that he would not kiss the leading lady. He did not want to be unfaithful to his wife in any shape or form, an attitude that would had hurt his film career.
McGoohan won an Emmy for his role as lawyer and political campaign manager Oscar Finch who is on a political ticket to Washington and Attorney General. McGoohan also directed this episode.
21 years earlier Finch had used his influence to have the District Attorney to get rid of vital evidence for a crook. His longtime friend Paul Mackey, now on the Vice President ticket was involved in the event. The crook is in trouble again and wants Finch to use his influence again. Finch cannot afford to put his and Mackey's future in jeopardy.
In an intriguing segment we see Finch doing some things with lots of foil, a gun and some gunpowder. His plan is to make the murder look like a suicide. However Columbo is not so sure, he notices that the dead man sent some jokes from his fax machine, not a sign of a desperate man at the end of his tether.
This episode benefits from McGoohan's performance, cool, calculated even with a hint of sarcasm. There is an effortless interplay with Peter Falk as both previously appeared together in other Columbo stories.
However the film's denouement with chewing gum, cheese and teeth marks leaves it rather unsatisfying.
He turned down the role of James Bond as well as other romantic or action leading roles because apparently he would have it stipulated in his contract that he would not kiss the leading lady. He did not want to be unfaithful to his wife in any shape or form, an attitude that would had hurt his film career.
McGoohan won an Emmy for his role as lawyer and political campaign manager Oscar Finch who is on a political ticket to Washington and Attorney General. McGoohan also directed this episode.
21 years earlier Finch had used his influence to have the District Attorney to get rid of vital evidence for a crook. His longtime friend Paul Mackey, now on the Vice President ticket was involved in the event. The crook is in trouble again and wants Finch to use his influence again. Finch cannot afford to put his and Mackey's future in jeopardy.
In an intriguing segment we see Finch doing some things with lots of foil, a gun and some gunpowder. His plan is to make the murder look like a suicide. However Columbo is not so sure, he notices that the dead man sent some jokes from his fax machine, not a sign of a desperate man at the end of his tether.
This episode benefits from McGoohan's performance, cool, calculated even with a hint of sarcasm. There is an effortless interplay with Peter Falk as both previously appeared together in other Columbo stories.
However the film's denouement with chewing gum, cheese and teeth marks leaves it rather unsatisfying.
For me this is among the best of the later episodes
TheLittleSongbird8 March 2012
Columbo I have always loved, and Agenda for Murder is a perfect showcase as to why. Although it is one of the later episodes, it is an episode that while not quite one of my favourites is just as good as the episodes of the 70s. Columbo has always been well made, and with the striking photography and slick editing, Agenda for Murder is no exception. The dialogue is very crisp and clever, adding so much to the playful and tense tone of the episode, oh and the flasher gag and bird puns are a hoot, and the story never has a dull moment and advantaged further by a totally unexpected ending that even shocks Finch as well as the audience. Peter Falk is wonderful as he consistently is, and Patrick McGoohan deservedly won an Emmy for his very pompous, stern yet very intelligent performance here. The scenes between him and Falk are a joy to behold, some of the most inspired rapport of any Columbo episode in my opinion. All in all, a fine entry to the series and just as good as the episodes of the 70s. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Very good Columbo
smitheeallen7 April 2002
This is one of the best Columbos. The reason for this is the cat and mouse games Columbo and the bad guy, Patrick McGoohan (who won an Emmy for this one, I believe), use against each other. Also the way Columbo catches him is really funny. I always enjoy Columbo but I enjoy it even more when McGoohan shows up. (For those of you who don't know McGoohan watch the old British tv show "The Prisoner" or more recently watch him as Edward I in "Braveheart.")
McGoohan makes the man he murders looks like he committed suicide. No one knew that McGoohan was showing up excpet for the man he murders. Lt. Columbo is still able to figure out that he did it. To give away more would be wrong, so I won't do that.
The dialogue between Columbo and McGoohan is some of the most entertaining out of all the Columbos that I've seen. McGoohan really thinks he is going to get away with it but he's up against Columbo and we know how that will work out.
McGoohan makes the man he murders looks like he committed suicide. No one knew that McGoohan was showing up excpet for the man he murders. Lt. Columbo is still able to figure out that he did it. To give away more would be wrong, so I won't do that.
The dialogue between Columbo and McGoohan is some of the most entertaining out of all the Columbos that I've seen. McGoohan really thinks he is going to get away with it but he's up against Columbo and we know how that will work out.
The Shadier Side of Presidential Politics
theowinthrop9 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
In the later group of Columbo episodes several previous villains were able to return for new confrontations with Peter Falk. William Shatner and Robert Culp (actually in a comic bit) were two of the returnees, but Patrick McGoohan made two return visits. The first was this one.
McGoohan is a leading criminal trial lawyer, who has been managing the career of a former assistant District Attorney (Denis Arndt) who is now a popular young Congressman. McGoohan is approached by a Governor (Arthur Hill) who is the party's leading contender for the Presidency - he wants Arndt as his Vice President. McGoohan is quite happy at this prospect - not only his protégée as Veep but he would possibly hold a cabinet post. But he gets a call from Louis Zorich, a mobster who is facing prison. Zorich knows a dirty secret about McGoohan (his former attorney) and Arndt regarding destroying vital evidence against Zorich twenty years before. Zorich wants McGoohan to help quash the criminal case against him now.
McGoohan has no intention of ruining his chances or Arndt's. Instead he kills Zorich, but sets things up to make it look like a suicide after a conference ended hours earlier. Of course, when Colombo shows up he notes the interesting modern tech telephone system that Zorich has, and that it records the last phone number he dialed - and this is where he starts zeroing in on McGoohan.
With the earlier episode co-starring Jackie Cooper Falk's detective twice gets involved with political campaigners who don't deserve their chance at office. But the unraveling of the two cases are different, and the duel of wits by McGoohan with Falk was far more compatible and even(Cooper seemed too surprised in his battle of wits at times). This episode is interesting too because it is one of the few episodes that refers to an actual criminal case: here the conviction of Ted Bundy. Definitely one of the better later episodes.
McGoohan is a leading criminal trial lawyer, who has been managing the career of a former assistant District Attorney (Denis Arndt) who is now a popular young Congressman. McGoohan is approached by a Governor (Arthur Hill) who is the party's leading contender for the Presidency - he wants Arndt as his Vice President. McGoohan is quite happy at this prospect - not only his protégée as Veep but he would possibly hold a cabinet post. But he gets a call from Louis Zorich, a mobster who is facing prison. Zorich knows a dirty secret about McGoohan (his former attorney) and Arndt regarding destroying vital evidence against Zorich twenty years before. Zorich wants McGoohan to help quash the criminal case against him now.
McGoohan has no intention of ruining his chances or Arndt's. Instead he kills Zorich, but sets things up to make it look like a suicide after a conference ended hours earlier. Of course, when Colombo shows up he notes the interesting modern tech telephone system that Zorich has, and that it records the last phone number he dialed - and this is where he starts zeroing in on McGoohan.
With the earlier episode co-starring Jackie Cooper Falk's detective twice gets involved with political campaigners who don't deserve their chance at office. But the unraveling of the two cases are different, and the duel of wits by McGoohan with Falk was far more compatible and even(Cooper seemed too surprised in his battle of wits at times). This episode is interesting too because it is one of the few episodes that refers to an actual criminal case: here the conviction of Ted Bundy. Definitely one of the better later episodes.
One of the best of the latter Columbos
Leofwine_draca2 August 2016
AGENDA FOR MURDER is a fine instalment of the late-stage Columbo series and another that features Patrick McGoohan giving a stern and authoritative performance as the murder suspect. McGoohan directed the film too and certainly knows his business, creating a well-paced and snappy production in which the detection and the humour go hand in hand. These elements combine to make AGENDA FOR MURDER one of the strongest of all the latter Columbos.
McGoohan plays a high-flying lawyer who murders an old acquaintance who has dirt on him and makes it look like a suicide. Unfortunately for him, he leaves plenty of clues behind at the crime scene, and Columbo is soon on the case. One of the clues is a major one that's revealed in a twist ending that most viewers will be able to guess, but the rest of the small stuff - like the blood spot underneath the gun - are clever and show once again how it's the little things that count.
Peter Falk is in his element here and really seems to be enjoying himself more than ever. His Columbo is more nuanced than usual and the supporting cast seem to be giving better performances than ever so that he has plenty of material to work with. The humour is character based rather than being silly as in some of the later episodes and despite the hour and a half running time, AGENDA FOR MURDER is never slow or uninteresting. It's a good 'un.
McGoohan plays a high-flying lawyer who murders an old acquaintance who has dirt on him and makes it look like a suicide. Unfortunately for him, he leaves plenty of clues behind at the crime scene, and Columbo is soon on the case. One of the clues is a major one that's revealed in a twist ending that most viewers will be able to guess, but the rest of the small stuff - like the blood spot underneath the gun - are clever and show once again how it's the little things that count.
Peter Falk is in his element here and really seems to be enjoying himself more than ever. His Columbo is more nuanced than usual and the supporting cast seem to be giving better performances than ever so that he has plenty of material to work with. The humour is character based rather than being silly as in some of the later episodes and despite the hour and a half running time, AGENDA FOR MURDER is never slow or uninteresting. It's a good 'un.
Oscar foiled by a single drop of blood
Moor-Larkin13 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
A brilliant Spin-doctor has got his protégé on the Presidential ticket. However, as he breasts this career peak, a cruel blow sends him crashing, careering, downwards. He is threatened by an old corruption scandal and seeks to resolve it by a perfect murder. In an opening reminiscent of a carefully crafted 'Danger Man' sequence, McGoohan has Oscar performing a bewildering sequence of mysterious actions, using tin foil and gunpowder. The trap is set. Making one final, failed attempt to dissuade his criminal nemesis, Oscar is compelled to carry out the wicked deed.
At last Peter Falk shuffles onto the scene. A tiny drop of blood is found dried on the floor, beneath the fallen pistol. Columbo has found the loose thread and Oscar's scheme unravels.
The duel between the pair has it's inevitable conclusion because Right must overwhelm Wrong in the world of Columbo. However the meandering plot is anything but predictable as it wends its way to the final denouement. The sequence involving the fax machine and Falk's perplexed wonder at it's workings is superb and had me laughing out loud at one point. The fact that fax machines were not exactly new in 1990 makes it even funnier that Columbo should be so flummoxed by them! McGoohan is at his calculating best as the debonair Oscar, a man, not evil, but driven to great evil by his own ambition: a lesson for us all.
At last Peter Falk shuffles onto the scene. A tiny drop of blood is found dried on the floor, beneath the fallen pistol. Columbo has found the loose thread and Oscar's scheme unravels.
The duel between the pair has it's inevitable conclusion because Right must overwhelm Wrong in the world of Columbo. However the meandering plot is anything but predictable as it wends its way to the final denouement. The sequence involving the fax machine and Falk's perplexed wonder at it's workings is superb and had me laughing out loud at one point. The fact that fax machines were not exactly new in 1990 makes it even funnier that Columbo should be so flummoxed by them! McGoohan is at his calculating best as the debonair Oscar, a man, not evil, but driven to great evil by his own ambition: a lesson for us all.
Good...but...
planktonrules18 February 2020
I love watching the actor Patrick McGoohan...he was just terrific in shows like "The Secret Agent" and "The Prisoner". But he was also really good in various TV shows as guest stars...and I particular loved his several appearances on "Columbo". This being said, I was not completely in love with "Agenda for Murder" as it was his weakest appearance on the program. Now it isn't bad....but the finale seemed a bit too easy and hard to believe.
Oscar Finch (McGoohan) is a very important mover and shaker--the sort of guy who is good at pulling strings and he has a strong future in politics. However, out of the blue, a man from the past threatens to derail so much Oscar has built for himself. So, he does what any sociopath would do...he kills the guy. However, Oscar is no dummy....he meticulously plans the killing and it appears to be foolproof. Of course, being on "Columbo" you know it isn't.
Watching this with my wife was a big plus, as she writes thrillers and knows a lot about crime...perhaps too much! So, when they used very tenuous dental evidence in this one, I told her this was ridiculous....and she said that in the early 90s it was believed to be an exact science and folks WERE convicted using it. However, she also admitted that in recent years, they've come to realize that it is NOT an exact science and isn't as reliable as they'd assumed. So, perhaps some of my gripe is simply about the misuse of such evidence...not in the writing of the show. Still, the ending DID seem very abrupt and anti-climactic. Enjoyable, of course, but not among the better episodes....which is generally the case with these later "Columbo" episodes.
Oscar Finch (McGoohan) is a very important mover and shaker--the sort of guy who is good at pulling strings and he has a strong future in politics. However, out of the blue, a man from the past threatens to derail so much Oscar has built for himself. So, he does what any sociopath would do...he kills the guy. However, Oscar is no dummy....he meticulously plans the killing and it appears to be foolproof. Of course, being on "Columbo" you know it isn't.
Watching this with my wife was a big plus, as she writes thrillers and knows a lot about crime...perhaps too much! So, when they used very tenuous dental evidence in this one, I told her this was ridiculous....and she said that in the early 90s it was believed to be an exact science and folks WERE convicted using it. However, she also admitted that in recent years, they've come to realize that it is NOT an exact science and isn't as reliable as they'd assumed. So, perhaps some of my gripe is simply about the misuse of such evidence...not in the writing of the show. Still, the ending DID seem very abrupt and anti-climactic. Enjoyable, of course, but not among the better episodes....which is generally the case with these later "Columbo" episodes.
Brilliant McGoohan
koppanyfabry10 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
There are two actors I really love, who played killers in Columbo: Robert Culp and Patrick McGoohan. The fact they played in multiple episodes means they really did put in masterful performances.
Patrick McGoohan returns to play in and direct his last episode in the series. The last time it was controversial: we all remember the episode Last Salute to the Commodore. This time, however, he is once again brilliant. His character is so smart and a touch arrogant, the perfect enemy for Lt. Columbo. He keeps evading him, there is no evidence against him. The murder looks like the perfect one. Even the only probable evidence is destroyed, when his coat is washed. But then the cheese and the bite. We, the audience are just as surprised as the killer is. We are also satisfied, as he is. It's just brilliant. McGoohan is defeated but he accepts the loss. It seemed a perfect murder, but there is no such thing. Lt. Columbo had to work really hard on this case but it payed off, as always. Brilliant, just brilliant!!!
Patrick McGoohan returns to play in and direct his last episode in the series. The last time it was controversial: we all remember the episode Last Salute to the Commodore. This time, however, he is once again brilliant. His character is so smart and a touch arrogant, the perfect enemy for Lt. Columbo. He keeps evading him, there is no evidence against him. The murder looks like the perfect one. Even the only probable evidence is destroyed, when his coat is washed. But then the cheese and the bite. We, the audience are just as surprised as the killer is. We are also satisfied, as he is. It's just brilliant. McGoohan is defeated but he accepts the loss. It seemed a perfect murder, but there is no such thing. Lt. Columbo had to work really hard on this case but it payed off, as always. Brilliant, just brilliant!!!
Excellent Columbo Vs Hotshot Political Campaign Manager Murder Mystery
ShootingShark11 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Oscar Finch is a celebrated legal prosecutor and political campaign manager for a vice-presidential candidate. Things are looking rosy until a skeleton from his past forces him to commit murder, and subsequently lock wits with the intrepid Lieutenant Columbo.
This is arguably the best of the second-generation Columbo TV-movies. It has a great script by Jeffrey Bloom, with a terrific out-of-left-field plot-twist at the end involving a piece of cheese. It's handsomely produced, well-directed and has a fine cast, including Columbo's old sergeant Kirby. Best of all though, it reteams old adversaries Falk and McGoohan in their similar-but-couldn't-be-more-different personas. One is modest, quiet and affable while the other is imperious, dogmatic and assertive, yet both are the epitome of shrewd, calculating professionalism. The pleasure of the piece comes from watching them intellectually wrestle over the subtlest of plot points; a dry patch under a car, an inconsistent fax message, a dry-cleaning order, the position of some blood. Solid entertainment throughout, and don't miss the flasher gag.
This is arguably the best of the second-generation Columbo TV-movies. It has a great script by Jeffrey Bloom, with a terrific out-of-left-field plot-twist at the end involving a piece of cheese. It's handsomely produced, well-directed and has a fine cast, including Columbo's old sergeant Kirby. Best of all though, it reteams old adversaries Falk and McGoohan in their similar-but-couldn't-be-more-different personas. One is modest, quiet and affable while the other is imperious, dogmatic and assertive, yet both are the epitome of shrewd, calculating professionalism. The pleasure of the piece comes from watching them intellectually wrestle over the subtlest of plot points; a dry patch under a car, an inconsistent fax message, a dry-cleaning order, the position of some blood. Solid entertainment throughout, and don't miss the flasher gag.
Very solid episode
zmartever16 March 2014
Finally a villain worthy of Columbo. How i wish that the newer movies had used a better roster of guest stars to begin with. Here is Patrick McGoohan back as a fantastic adversary, plus top notch writing, clever plot and Peter Falk looks very good. More like his "old" self. In some previous newer installments he actually looks older and tired, with grey hair and a scruffy face. Here he doesn't look much different from his vintage episodes. I notice that the newer movies are very uneven. Ranging from cheesy and over the top to a more realistic style, such as this one. And i prefer the latter. Less is more. And i think that encapsulates the vintage episodes. Great villains, clever plots, swift directing and a bit of humor. Had every episode in the new line up been as good as this one, which follows the original formula, we would have had a lot more winners.
Patrick McGoohan is at it again!
Boba_Fett113827 September 2008
Being a good close personal friend of Peter Falk, Patrick McGoohan was once more given the director's chair for this movie. Besides that, he also stars in it again as the movie its killer, opposite Peter Falk, like he had already done before in some previous Columbo movies entries.
Overall I have always liked Patrick McGoohan's directing jobs for the Columbo movies, with the exception of the failed 'different' experimental Columbo movie entry "Columbo: Last Salute to the Commodore". This movie also isn't THE best directed Columbo movie by McGoohan but it simply is a worthy entry, that follows the usual successful formula. His movies always had a good style of its own as well, which always made them pleasant as well as a bit more interesting than the average Columbo movie entry to watch.
But he foremost is of course a great actor. He doesn't star in that many movies and my guess is that he has also had a bigger career in the theater. He is a great actor and he also shared some good chemistry in his sequences with Peter Falk. They always have been good playing opposite each other. The movie also features Arthur Hill in a small role. It was his last movie role before he went into retirement. The rest of the supporting cast is pretty bad however, which is a real shame and somewhat degrades the movie but the problem is not too serious though and you should still be able to enjoy this movie as much as basically any other Columbo movie.
The pace for this movie is rather slow but it's pleasantly slow. It allows its story to develop nicely and it also allows Peter Falk to really shine playing his well known Lt. Columbo character. It's a movie that gets filled with some trademark Columbo-humor, which is really mostly thanks to the way Peter Falk plays the character.
The story isn't anything too special but it's the type of story which works very effectively for a Columbo movie. It progresses- and features all of the usual ingredients that are custom for a Columbo movie. It's all quite solid for a murder-mystery and it also has some nice dialog in it. The story of course leaves out some clues for the Lieutenant but it aren't stupid clues. The killer in the movie is intelligent and the murder is well and cleverly planned and executed. But of course in the end he is no match for the somewhat peculiar Lt. Columbo, who as always is playing dumber than he of course in fact is, in order to get closer to- and 'trick' his main suspect.
A good Columbo entry set in the dirty world of politics.
7/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
Overall I have always liked Patrick McGoohan's directing jobs for the Columbo movies, with the exception of the failed 'different' experimental Columbo movie entry "Columbo: Last Salute to the Commodore". This movie also isn't THE best directed Columbo movie by McGoohan but it simply is a worthy entry, that follows the usual successful formula. His movies always had a good style of its own as well, which always made them pleasant as well as a bit more interesting than the average Columbo movie entry to watch.
But he foremost is of course a great actor. He doesn't star in that many movies and my guess is that he has also had a bigger career in the theater. He is a great actor and he also shared some good chemistry in his sequences with Peter Falk. They always have been good playing opposite each other. The movie also features Arthur Hill in a small role. It was his last movie role before he went into retirement. The rest of the supporting cast is pretty bad however, which is a real shame and somewhat degrades the movie but the problem is not too serious though and you should still be able to enjoy this movie as much as basically any other Columbo movie.
The pace for this movie is rather slow but it's pleasantly slow. It allows its story to develop nicely and it also allows Peter Falk to really shine playing his well known Lt. Columbo character. It's a movie that gets filled with some trademark Columbo-humor, which is really mostly thanks to the way Peter Falk plays the character.
The story isn't anything too special but it's the type of story which works very effectively for a Columbo movie. It progresses- and features all of the usual ingredients that are custom for a Columbo movie. It's all quite solid for a murder-mystery and it also has some nice dialog in it. The story of course leaves out some clues for the Lieutenant but it aren't stupid clues. The killer in the movie is intelligent and the murder is well and cleverly planned and executed. But of course in the end he is no match for the somewhat peculiar Lt. Columbo, who as always is playing dumber than he of course in fact is, in order to get closer to- and 'trick' his main suspect.
A good Columbo entry set in the dirty world of politics.
7/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
Patrick McGoohan And Fake Suicide.
rmax30482316 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
As an actor, Patrick McGoohan is right up there in the pantheon with his striking features, cracked voice, and unpredictable vocal contours. He may have been the best heavy in any of Columbo's cases in "By Dawn's Early Light." And he pulled it off without ever treating the shabby lieutenant with the contempt most other villains did.
But sixteen years is a long time and, watching this episode, a viewer can't help being aware of the passage of time. Columbo himself speaks more slowly and smiles more often -- avuncular rather than inquisitive. And McGoohan has sadly lost some of his hairline and has acquired a fuzzy mustache. He looks simply older, so that when he's chewing gun he seems like one of those old men who constantly fiddle with their false teeth. I'm not ridiculing him. It's a little sad.
And the story begins with some elaborate preparations that McGoohan is making for a fake suicide, in which his blackmailer is the victim. The same detailed preparation are seen in "By Dawn's Early Light" where they led to the core mystery of the plot. Here, they're only incidental. McGoohan is finally undone by a Columbo observation that we haven't been prepared for, a deus ex chewing gun.
The story, in addition to its lack of strength, also has little of the understated humor we associate with Columbo at his best -- or his worst.
I still enjoyed it. I enjoy most of Columbo's cases except a handful in which the bottom of the barrel was truly scraped and any remaining qualities subject to fractional distillation. Yet, it's by no means a bad episode.
But sixteen years is a long time and, watching this episode, a viewer can't help being aware of the passage of time. Columbo himself speaks more slowly and smiles more often -- avuncular rather than inquisitive. And McGoohan has sadly lost some of his hairline and has acquired a fuzzy mustache. He looks simply older, so that when he's chewing gun he seems like one of those old men who constantly fiddle with their false teeth. I'm not ridiculing him. It's a little sad.
And the story begins with some elaborate preparations that McGoohan is making for a fake suicide, in which his blackmailer is the victim. The same detailed preparation are seen in "By Dawn's Early Light" where they led to the core mystery of the plot. Here, they're only incidental. McGoohan is finally undone by a Columbo observation that we haven't been prepared for, a deus ex chewing gun.
The story, in addition to its lack of strength, also has little of the understated humor we associate with Columbo at his best -- or his worst.
I still enjoyed it. I enjoy most of Columbo's cases except a handful in which the bottom of the barrel was truly scraped and any remaining qualities subject to fractional distillation. Yet, it's by no means a bad episode.
Brilliant Handling of a Typical Murder
shomrig27 March 2003
At face value, "Agenda for Murder" seems pretty average: the typical Columbo-esque villain is a businessman who commits a simple murder to keep some professional skeletons in the closet. The crime is simply executed, without the usual bells and whistles of a complicated alibi or execution.
Patrick McGoohan, however, is brilliant. In "Braveheart" he chewed the scenery as the evil King. In this Columbo episode, he's a high-priced attorney vying for the position of U.S. Attorney General. He's efficient, wealthy, pompous ("If you can answer that question, Lieutenant, you're a smarter man than I"), intelligent, and underestimates Columbo by a long shot. McGoohan played different shades of the same role in other Columbo outings (a domineering commander of a military school, a secret government agent, and a suave funeral director), but he's at his best here.
Peter Falk as the Lieutenant is also top form - watch the scenes between Falk and McGoohan closely and you'll see how Columbo slowly manipulates Oscar Finch from a self-confident businessman into a man who is inwardly afraid of his own shadow but must keep his stern outward demeanor. As was mentioned in other reviews, their game of cat and mouse is a delight to watch, rivaled only by Falk's performances with William Shatner in "Fade in to Murder" and "Butterfly in Shades of Grey."
The episode is abound with clues that will make the viewer slap his head and exclaim "Why didn't I think of that?" Particularly clever are the faxed jokes and the drop of blood. I do think, however, that Finch was far too clever to mess up and leave behind the final clue that proved his guilt - he was, after all, a criminal attorney!
This episode is a must for new Columbo fans (after "Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health") and, should a distribution company ever decide to release the newer episodes on DVD, "Agenda for Murder" should be on the top of the list.
Patrick McGoohan, however, is brilliant. In "Braveheart" he chewed the scenery as the evil King. In this Columbo episode, he's a high-priced attorney vying for the position of U.S. Attorney General. He's efficient, wealthy, pompous ("If you can answer that question, Lieutenant, you're a smarter man than I"), intelligent, and underestimates Columbo by a long shot. McGoohan played different shades of the same role in other Columbo outings (a domineering commander of a military school, a secret government agent, and a suave funeral director), but he's at his best here.
Peter Falk as the Lieutenant is also top form - watch the scenes between Falk and McGoohan closely and you'll see how Columbo slowly manipulates Oscar Finch from a self-confident businessman into a man who is inwardly afraid of his own shadow but must keep his stern outward demeanor. As was mentioned in other reviews, their game of cat and mouse is a delight to watch, rivaled only by Falk's performances with William Shatner in "Fade in to Murder" and "Butterfly in Shades of Grey."
The episode is abound with clues that will make the viewer slap his head and exclaim "Why didn't I think of that?" Particularly clever are the faxed jokes and the drop of blood. I do think, however, that Finch was far too clever to mess up and leave behind the final clue that proved his guilt - he was, after all, a criminal attorney!
This episode is a must for new Columbo fans (after "Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health") and, should a distribution company ever decide to release the newer episodes on DVD, "Agenda for Murder" should be on the top of the list.
The Best Of The New Episodes
stubbers14 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I can't really add to what everyone else has said, this is a superb "Columbo", and Patrick McGoohan probably the best Columbo villain of all time, in each of his roles. The character Oscar Finch is worthy of his own movie. One of the few Columbo villains who really get you thinking about their life and how they arrived at their position of power and influence, in this case in the murky world of politics. His character is slick, ruthless, confident, meticulously self-controlled, but not without a slightly offbeat sense of humour.
The joke scene is my favourite! The way Columbo and Finch fall about laughing and Columbo struggles to ask, amid all the hilarity, why a supposedly suicidal man would fax someone this joke a few minutes before blowing his brains out. I liked the bird puns as well between Columbo and the delivery driver.
The Vice-President is a brilliant role, very well acted with just the right balance of slightly smarmy, but basically likable, smooth-talking. He has much more conscience than Oscar Finch, but under pressure acquiesces to provide a bogus alibi for Finch. In a subtle twist, the murderer in this episode isn't the one who feels most uneasy in the presence of Columbo. Whereas Finch perversely enjoys his visits from the entertaining little Lieutenant, out of a misplaced sense of his own superiority, the VP shudders every time he catches a glimpse of that shabby shuffling man in the raincoat. Especially if the press are in the vicinity with cameras.
The evidence that provides Finch's downfall is fiendishly spotted by Columbo. You will never guess! This episode even surpasses "Death Hits The Jackpot".
The joke scene is my favourite! The way Columbo and Finch fall about laughing and Columbo struggles to ask, amid all the hilarity, why a supposedly suicidal man would fax someone this joke a few minutes before blowing his brains out. I liked the bird puns as well between Columbo and the delivery driver.
The Vice-President is a brilliant role, very well acted with just the right balance of slightly smarmy, but basically likable, smooth-talking. He has much more conscience than Oscar Finch, but under pressure acquiesces to provide a bogus alibi for Finch. In a subtle twist, the murderer in this episode isn't the one who feels most uneasy in the presence of Columbo. Whereas Finch perversely enjoys his visits from the entertaining little Lieutenant, out of a misplaced sense of his own superiority, the VP shudders every time he catches a glimpse of that shabby shuffling man in the raincoat. Especially if the press are in the vicinity with cameras.
The evidence that provides Finch's downfall is fiendishly spotted by Columbo. You will never guess! This episode even surpasses "Death Hits The Jackpot".
"Agenda for Murder" (1990)
Wuchakk3 January 2019
PLOT: A slick attorney (Patrick McGoohan) murders a blackmailer who threatens his political aspirations, making it look like a suicide. Columbo smells something fishy and targets the underhanded lawyer. Denis Arndt plays his buddy, a congressman with hopes of becoming Vice President.
COMMENTARY: McGoohan appeared as the antagonist in two prior episodes, "By Dawn's Early Light" (1974) and "Identity Crisis" (1975) and would return for the forthcoming "Ashes to Ashes" (1998). There's just something about his chemistry with Peter Falk that almost guarantees a quality installment, and so it is here. It's one of the better latter-day segments.
GRADE: B+/A-
COMMENTARY: McGoohan appeared as the antagonist in two prior episodes, "By Dawn's Early Light" (1974) and "Identity Crisis" (1975) and would return for the forthcoming "Ashes to Ashes" (1998). There's just something about his chemistry with Peter Falk that almost guarantees a quality installment, and so it is here. It's one of the better latter-day segments.
GRADE: B+/A-
The Candidate
AaronCapenBanner5 March 2016
Patrick McGoohan(who also directed) returns for the third time as a different killer(though well disguised so it's hardly noticeable) named Oscar Finch who is advising a congressman about to be picked as a Vice-presidential running mate for the sitting Governor(played by Arthur Hill) When a blackmailer from their past resurfaces to threaten their plans, Finch kills him and makes it look like a suicide, but of course Lt. Columbo(Peter Falk) finds inconsistencies that convince him of Finch's guilt, but just how to prove it? McGoohan is quite good once again, and episode leads to a most realistic piece of evidence gathering that makes the resolution memorable.
Patrick McGoohan stars and directs
safenoe23 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Here Patrick "The Prisoner" McGoohan star as the main culprit and he also has double duty because he directs Agenda for Murder. I'm always fascinated by how actors direct themselves, and may I say that Patrick did a pretty decent job, especially having to direct his character's lawyerly dastardly deeds.
Here is a heady mixture of presidential politics, the law and of course murder and corruption thrown in, being the perversion of the course of justice. Being made in 1990, it would have been unimaginable for a presidential candidate to get away with what happened, but in more contemporary times, well, that's very interesting indeed that's for sure.
Here is a heady mixture of presidential politics, the law and of course murder and corruption thrown in, being the perversion of the course of justice. Being made in 1990, it would have been unimaginable for a presidential candidate to get away with what happened, but in more contemporary times, well, that's very interesting indeed that's for sure.
One bite of cheese!
michael-kerrigan-526-12497417 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This was definitely one of the best of the later Columbo's thanks to the game of cat and mouse between The brilliant Peter Falk and equally impressive Patrick Mcgoohan. PM is an attorney with political aspirations which are threatened by a blackmailing blast from his past. And so it seems a perfect suicide is the answer, until he meets his match in Columbo. If only he didn't like cheese...... 7 out of ten
yup, this is a good episode
Brucey_D10 September 2016
McGoohan again! He directs as well as acts, but the episode isn't the worse for it. McGoohan's character does nothing to improve the reputation of the legal profession; smart, knowing, bent as a nine-bob note as he is, he ultimately ain't smart enough for Columbo...
As ever there are little gems of dialogue, e.g. we find out that Columbo's wife is called....(drum roll) 'Mrs Columbo'. Of course.
And there are the inevitable odd goofs; about twenty minutes from the end, Falk and McGoohan are speaking in a large room, and in the background there is a chap sweeping up using a dustpan on a stick. He misses some of the rubbish; although he inspects his work before walking off shot, he walks off anyway despite the rubbish still lying on the floor, clearly visible in back of shot.
Anyway, in a nutshell, if you like Columbo, you'll love this episode, it is well worth watching.
As ever there are little gems of dialogue, e.g. we find out that Columbo's wife is called....(drum roll) 'Mrs Columbo'. Of course.
And there are the inevitable odd goofs; about twenty minutes from the end, Falk and McGoohan are speaking in a large room, and in the background there is a chap sweeping up using a dustpan on a stick. He misses some of the rubbish; although he inspects his work before walking off shot, he walks off anyway despite the rubbish still lying on the floor, clearly visible in back of shot.
Anyway, in a nutshell, if you like Columbo, you'll love this episode, it is well worth watching.
Patrick McGoohan returns.
punishmentpark17 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Maybe this episode isn't the best one ever, especially plot-wise (which is pretty much the usual combination of convenient details and Columbo's relentless sleuthing, with in the background a primary election that is coming up), but Patrick McGoohan always makes for a good baddie. This is his third appearance on the show (he would do one more later), and also his third directing job in the series (he would do two more later on). He never became a big name in Europe as an actor or director, but I thoroughly enjoyed his character Oscar Finch, a highly intelligent and down to earth lawyer who faces Columbo in a (mostly) stoic manner.
The long 'murder-prelude', in which Finch finds himself blackmailed by an old criminal acquaintance which he must deal with quickly, has a terrific build-up. The details that go wrong are maybe a little too convenient for the plot, but it that always the case, and they are still pretty clever - as are Oscar Finch' attempts to shoot holes in Frank's theories. Good fun.
7 out of 10.
P.s. It turns out that McGoohan did a few voices in The Simpsons as well.
The long 'murder-prelude', in which Finch finds himself blackmailed by an old criminal acquaintance which he must deal with quickly, has a terrific build-up. The details that go wrong are maybe a little too convenient for the plot, but it that always the case, and they are still pretty clever - as are Oscar Finch' attempts to shoot holes in Frank's theories. Good fun.
7 out of 10.
P.s. It turns out that McGoohan did a few voices in The Simpsons as well.
A 7 ⭐ Star Plot with 10 ⭐ performances
rohitdevanaboina16 June 2023
For dedicated fans - A must Watch
The Patrick McGoohan/Peter Falk combo is more than enough to make this episode worthwhile. Every moment they're on screen together is captivating.
McGoohan's high-powered lawyer is an intellectual match for Columbo but doesn't come off as overly obnoxious. He's a great foil to Columbo's casual, bumbling persona. Watching him try to dictate the pace of his interactions with the Lieutenant makes for great watching.
For Beginners - Skip for now
The ending is abrupt and unexpected in an unsatisfying way. The mind games and evidence Columbo uses to get gradually get into his target's head and make them trip up feel almost pointless. If you're just getting into the series, there's better episodes out there.
The Patrick McGoohan/Peter Falk combo is more than enough to make this episode worthwhile. Every moment they're on screen together is captivating.
McGoohan's high-powered lawyer is an intellectual match for Columbo but doesn't come off as overly obnoxious. He's a great foil to Columbo's casual, bumbling persona. Watching him try to dictate the pace of his interactions with the Lieutenant makes for great watching.
For Beginners - Skip for now
The ending is abrupt and unexpected in an unsatisfying way. The mind games and evidence Columbo uses to get gradually get into his target's head and make them trip up feel almost pointless. If you're just getting into the series, there's better episodes out there.
A usual Columbo, not really remarkable
cashimor21 February 1999
Pretty much worthy to be viewed alongside the 1970's episodes
bob the moo11 December 2005
Twenty years ago Oscar Finch was a lawyer who used any means necessary to get his clients off including bribing young DA Mackey into destroying evidence against client Staplin. Now he is still a lawyer but he has managed to stay connected to Mackey over the years as his political career has taken him to the point of a race for Presidential candidate something that Finch hopes will see him placed in a cabinet position. However Finch has not totally shaken off the past and when he refuses to help Staplin, Staplin threatens to expose the "favour" that Mackey and Finch did for him. Finch kills him and makes it look like suicide. However when Columbo investigates a drop if dried blood gives him pause, while a modern redial function on the telephone gives him the last person Staplin called Oscar Finch.
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. With the strict adherence to formula it is usually simple enough for the series to do the business although I have had my fingers burnt with some of the "new" Columbo's. However this one appeared to have more potential with a solid cast and a plot that serves the formula well. It started well with the usual contrived murder and moves forward well with a solid mystery that Columbo gradually picks away at. It doesn't totally hang together and at some points the lack of consistent progress towards the solution is a bit of a turnoff but generally it does enough to keep it all moving forward. The film has a few attempts at comedy one or two fall totally flat (Columbo questioning the laundry delivery guy) but some are really nice (Columbo telling Mackey his wife's name is Mrs Columbo).
What makes it better than many of the other modern Columbo films is a collection of good turns from the cast. Falk looks good other films gave him grey hair and made him appear physically weaker, but here he looks as sharp as he did in the 1970's (sharp being a comparative word when used in reference to Columbo of course). McGoohan is a welcome return to the series after quite a few recent films had had murders that just didn't stack up at all against Columbo. Here McGoohan knows to play it up in this sort of thing and does his stern, intelligent and sinister authority figure role that the other films had given him and he does it well. The film could have give them more scenes together but they both work well together and their performances compliment one another within the formula. Credit also to McGoohan the director; he doesn't totally shake off the TV feel it has but he does give it more of a professional product. Support is good from Arndt and Zorich along with series regular Kirby. The only really bad turn was from Taggart as Mrs Staplin.
Overall an enjoyable entry in the new Columbo series thanks mainly to the presence of McGoohan as murderer and director. It does have the odd duff moment but mostly it moves forward really well and compares well with the 1970's episodes. Fans will love it and it is good enough to maybe win over some new ones as well.
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. With the strict adherence to formula it is usually simple enough for the series to do the business although I have had my fingers burnt with some of the "new" Columbo's. However this one appeared to have more potential with a solid cast and a plot that serves the formula well. It started well with the usual contrived murder and moves forward well with a solid mystery that Columbo gradually picks away at. It doesn't totally hang together and at some points the lack of consistent progress towards the solution is a bit of a turnoff but generally it does enough to keep it all moving forward. The film has a few attempts at comedy one or two fall totally flat (Columbo questioning the laundry delivery guy) but some are really nice (Columbo telling Mackey his wife's name is Mrs Columbo).
What makes it better than many of the other modern Columbo films is a collection of good turns from the cast. Falk looks good other films gave him grey hair and made him appear physically weaker, but here he looks as sharp as he did in the 1970's (sharp being a comparative word when used in reference to Columbo of course). McGoohan is a welcome return to the series after quite a few recent films had had murders that just didn't stack up at all against Columbo. Here McGoohan knows to play it up in this sort of thing and does his stern, intelligent and sinister authority figure role that the other films had given him and he does it well. The film could have give them more scenes together but they both work well together and their performances compliment one another within the formula. Credit also to McGoohan the director; he doesn't totally shake off the TV feel it has but he does give it more of a professional product. Support is good from Arndt and Zorich along with series regular Kirby. The only really bad turn was from Taggart as Mrs Staplin.
Overall an enjoyable entry in the new Columbo series thanks mainly to the presence of McGoohan as murderer and director. It does have the odd duff moment but mostly it moves forward really well and compares well with the 1970's episodes. Fans will love it and it is good enough to maybe win over some new ones as well.
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