At one point in this episode, Columbo arrives to the scene of the crime to examine some champagne corks. It's raining outside and he's let in by the maid who is extremely annoyed by his presence. He comes through the door wearing a black trucker cap reading NFI in big white letters. This is the episode my great-Uncle Marty told me about when I was ten years old, visiting him in Malibu with my brother and grandmother.
He told my brother and I that he and Peter Falk had hung out at some point, and that Uncle Marty had been wearing this NFI hat (I don't have any idea where he got it). Peter Falk, being an inquisitive guy, asked my great uncle, "So, ah, what does NFI stand for?' to which Marty answered, "No F------ Idea!" Peter Falk apparently thought this was so funny that he just had to wear the hat in the episode he was currently filming!
My great uncle even showed us a picture of him and Falk together wearing matching NFI hats!
We always liked this story but, because he never told us the title, we could never find the episode and I was starting to think it didn't really exist until very recently I found it in the complete Columbo set!
This probably means nothing to anyone else but it made me hoot with joy! Overall a fun episode with one very special scene of Columbo examining corks and questioning an angry maid all while wearing an NFI hat. Now where do I get one of those hats?
46 Reviews
With Columbo, you can't go wrong!
Sylviastel26 June 2002
I am one of the biggest Columbo fans. I just love Peter Falk and his most famous character, Lieutenant Columbo. In this one, Dabney Coleman plays a wealthy corrupt attorney who kills his rock star girlfriend and sets her male lover with the crime. We don't actually see the crime since it's not Columbo's style to show a victim in a degrading matter. We are only given hints of what he does to her. It's fine by me. Columbo episodes are always tastefully done rather than carelessly graphic. What makes Columbo episodes so entertaining is the empathy for the victims regardless of judgment. Dabney Coleman as a popular LA criminal defense attorney tries to outsmart Columbo but fails. No criminal is smart enough to beat Columbo.
Repeated Viewings Explain The Plot More Clearly
stubbers10 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I'm currently watching this episode of Columbo again and have noticed several small clues along the way that seem to explain some queries about the murder.
Shera Danese's character unwittingly helped Dabney Coleman's attorney commit the murder by taking part in some "research". We don't know specifically what research she was carrying out, but clearly it involved wearing a mask and driving past a speed camera. Maybe they should have elaborated on how he persuaded her to do this, but it's made clear she didn't knowingly become involved in the murder.
I admit I did have problems with the opacity of the mask! Were there tiny little holes for the eyes? If you accept the premise that Columbo has incredible perception for details, plus years of experience, then it is totally plausible that he could deduce a mask was being worn. I'm sure it's not the first time he's had to deal with murderers wearing masks.
I have to say as well that I don't think the new episodes of Columbo are any worse than the classics. Yes they maybe lack the charm of the originals, but they are definitely much less dated. I personally think the worst Columbos were the late 70s ones, where the episodes were long, drawn-out and lacking in drama. The newer episodes seemed to have a bit more edge and energy, despite Falk being over ten years older. Although twenty years old, this episode still feels fresh and contemporary.
Dabney Coleman is a great match for Falk, and at the end of the day the most important factor (IMO) for what makes a good Columbo is the interplay between the Lieutenant and the murderer. Dabney plays it cocky, stuck-up, self-important and continually putting on an act in front of Columbo. I love the scene where they find out about the speeding ticket and it looks like Columbo has lost. Dabney's character revels in embarrassing Columbo!
Finally, great to see Little Richard in there, the scenes where Columbo is pretending to be a small-time crook backstage are hilarious! Not quite as good as the episode with Rip Torn on the same DVD, but all in all a great episode.
Shera Danese's character unwittingly helped Dabney Coleman's attorney commit the murder by taking part in some "research". We don't know specifically what research she was carrying out, but clearly it involved wearing a mask and driving past a speed camera. Maybe they should have elaborated on how he persuaded her to do this, but it's made clear she didn't knowingly become involved in the murder.
I admit I did have problems with the opacity of the mask! Were there tiny little holes for the eyes? If you accept the premise that Columbo has incredible perception for details, plus years of experience, then it is totally plausible that he could deduce a mask was being worn. I'm sure it's not the first time he's had to deal with murderers wearing masks.
I have to say as well that I don't think the new episodes of Columbo are any worse than the classics. Yes they maybe lack the charm of the originals, but they are definitely much less dated. I personally think the worst Columbos were the late 70s ones, where the episodes were long, drawn-out and lacking in drama. The newer episodes seemed to have a bit more edge and energy, despite Falk being over ten years older. Although twenty years old, this episode still feels fresh and contemporary.
Dabney Coleman is a great match for Falk, and at the end of the day the most important factor (IMO) for what makes a good Columbo is the interplay between the Lieutenant and the murderer. Dabney plays it cocky, stuck-up, self-important and continually putting on an act in front of Columbo. I love the scene where they find out about the speeding ticket and it looks like Columbo has lost. Dabney's character revels in embarrassing Columbo!
Finally, great to see Little Richard in there, the scenes where Columbo is pretending to be a small-time crook backstage are hilarious! Not quite as good as the episode with Rip Torn on the same DVD, but all in all a great episode.
Enjoyable, complex outing for the sleuth
Leofwine_draca9 December 2015
COLUMBO AND THE MURDER OF A ROCK STAR is a pretty good entry from the second incarnation of the raincoat-wearing sleuth. It features Dabney Coleman (BOARDWALK EMPIRE) who offs his cheating partner in an ingenious way, only to perplex the cops by offering a cast-iron alibi and a seemingly obvious suspect.
Sometimes these later stories can feel a little strained due to the lack of enough plotting to sustain a 100-minute running time, but that's not the case here. The murder is a complex one that takes plenty of (interesting) preparation, and there are various twists and turns thrown into the case to keep the viewer's attention right until the end. There's the occasional continuity error (such as the placement of a champagne bottle, which I was convinced had some relation to the plot) and unbelievable moment, but it's not enough to detract from the experience.
Falk is on fine form, although I was sad to see his comedy routines are limited to the single highlight, involving a funny fish tank contraption. Still, Coleman makes for an effectively grumpy villain, and the novelty of a Little Richard cameo can't be ignored. Falk's wife, Shera Danese, appears for the fourth time in the series. There's even a role for '70s actress Sondra Currie, playing virtually the same character she did in POLICEWOMEN.
Sometimes these later stories can feel a little strained due to the lack of enough plotting to sustain a 100-minute running time, but that's not the case here. The murder is a complex one that takes plenty of (interesting) preparation, and there are various twists and turns thrown into the case to keep the viewer's attention right until the end. There's the occasional continuity error (such as the placement of a champagne bottle, which I was convinced had some relation to the plot) and unbelievable moment, but it's not enough to detract from the experience.
Falk is on fine form, although I was sad to see his comedy routines are limited to the single highlight, involving a funny fish tank contraption. Still, Coleman makes for an effectively grumpy villain, and the novelty of a Little Richard cameo can't be ignored. Falk's wife, Shera Danese, appears for the fourth time in the series. There's even a role for '70s actress Sondra Currie, playing virtually the same character she did in POLICEWOMEN.
A Colombo for the ages
lewosteen2 April 2017
We all know how Peter Falk, as the Chinese water-torture of Detectives, can wear down the most erudite and cunning adversary. In this episode he almost meets his match in Dabney Coleman. Coleman is one of the best actors to portray villains as he has that arrogant sneer we love to hate. The close ups of Coleman's sneer and Falk's deadly smile is a viewer's delight to behold. He and Falk playing cat and mouse is riveting drama and not to be missed.
"Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star" (1991)
Wuchakk5 January 2019
PLOT: A middle-aged lawyer (Dabney Coleman) learns that his companion, a former rock star (Cheryl Paris), has been having an affair at his beach house with her former drummer, but he can't throw her out without great compensation due to her threats to expose his illegal tactics. So he murders her at the beach house, framing her lover. Shera Danese plays the attorney's assistant, who wants a piece of the pie. Little Richard has a bit part.
COMMENTARY: This is a solid episode of the revival series highlighted by Coleman's arrogant lawyer locking horns with the disheveled detective and a case dependent on distinctive wine bottles and a dubious speeding ticket in Pasadena. The striking Denese was Peter Falk's wife for 34 years (until his death) and appeared in six episodes of the series.
GRADE: B+
COMMENTARY: This is a solid episode of the revival series highlighted by Coleman's arrogant lawyer locking horns with the disheveled detective and a case dependent on distinctive wine bottles and a dubious speeding ticket in Pasadena. The striking Denese was Peter Falk's wife for 34 years (until his death) and appeared in six episodes of the series.
GRADE: B+
One of my favorite later season episodes
hnt_dnl27 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is one of my favorites from the revival of the Columbo series that started in the late 80s, mainly because it features the eternally underrated and always reliable Dabney Coleman as the murderer. Coleman has always had an easygoing comic wit and sarcasm that made him a uniquely watchable actor. This is an episode where I care more about the antagonist's performance than the actual crime, which was one of the easier one's for our iconic detective (essayed by the great Peter Falk) to solve. In this episode, Coleman plays a nationally famous defense lawyer being blackmailed by his live in lover, a former rock star who is cheating on him and demands half his fortune or she will spill all his dirty dealings. The episode also features the Falk's real life wife (the gorgeous Shera Danese) as Coleman's partner at his law firm who isn't exactly moral herself.
Danese appeared in several Columbo episodes during it's run and I actually think this is one of her best performances, playing well off of Coleman and obviously Falk, although I've seen plenty of real life acting couples who have zero onscreen chemistry. But the writers (and I'm guessing Mr. Falk) smartly never had her play nothing other than peripheral characters to the pesky Lieutenant. In addition to Danese, the episode features another beauty in redheaded 70s icon Sondra Currie playing the uniformed officer doing legwork for Columbo on the case.
This is a rare time where the writers didn't actually show the murderer kill the victim. As stated, the crime itself is pretty cut and dried and this one of the few times where I feel like Columbo figured out EVERY clue, which felt like a trail of breadcrumbs that sunk Coleman's ironically sloppy lawyer character. There are actually episodes when I recall some clues were just MacGuffins and Columbo nailed the perpetrator on some minor detail that he or she neglected. Regardless, the main draw of this episode is the entertaining interplay between Falk and Coleman, and the bonus of watching 2 gorgeous females along the way to the expected and satisfying conclusion.
Danese appeared in several Columbo episodes during it's run and I actually think this is one of her best performances, playing well off of Coleman and obviously Falk, although I've seen plenty of real life acting couples who have zero onscreen chemistry. But the writers (and I'm guessing Mr. Falk) smartly never had her play nothing other than peripheral characters to the pesky Lieutenant. In addition to Danese, the episode features another beauty in redheaded 70s icon Sondra Currie playing the uniformed officer doing legwork for Columbo on the case.
This is a rare time where the writers didn't actually show the murderer kill the victim. As stated, the crime itself is pretty cut and dried and this one of the few times where I feel like Columbo figured out EVERY clue, which felt like a trail of breadcrumbs that sunk Coleman's ironically sloppy lawyer character. There are actually episodes when I recall some clues were just MacGuffins and Columbo nailed the perpetrator on some minor detail that he or she neglected. Regardless, the main draw of this episode is the entertaining interplay between Falk and Coleman, and the bonus of watching 2 gorgeous females along the way to the expected and satisfying conclusion.
Not brilliant but an enjoyable Columbo despite the problems and logic leaps
bob the moo11 December 2005
When his ex-rock star partner threatens to expose him unless he pay her off, successful lawyer Hugh Creighton kills her but makes it look like her lover that did the crime. He is helped by the fact that her lover flees the scene giving the police someone to chase while Creighton makes sure everyone gets to see his grief. However with Columbo on the case nothing is ever that simple and all it takes is a few out-of-place things and he immediately has doubts. With Creighton using his considerable experience in the court to help him, Columbo digs deeper.
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. Knowing this ahead of time won't ruin anything for you; it is simply what happens in all the films. With this 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. This one is actually pretty good though despite having some side additions that are unnecessary and don't really work. The plot is reasonably good and is well delivered although at times it is a bit of a stretch a problem to some viewers but most Columbo fans will just accept this as par for the course. The attempts at comedy are reasonably good but the scenes that place Columbo in, say, an interrogation room don't really fit with the formula.
The main winners for the film are the performance from the lead two. Falk is good even if the material isn't totally true to his character; but when given the chance he is really good as shown in the hilarious but mocking conclusion. Coleman is hardly a classic foil but at least he is up for some cat'n'mouse and his abrasive performance fits the film pretty well. The support is not as good; not so much in the bigger roles (which are all fine) but in the small additions like "regular" character George (Gilborn) and the pointlessly feisty Currie; although Little Richard at least is a strange find.
Overall though this should please fans even if it is not up to the standards of the original Columbo episodes. The main two are good together and the plot moves along well apart from a few big leaps here and there (and one weirdly creepy moment with a Columbo "mask"). Good enough for fans then but probably not strong enough to win new ones.
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. Knowing this ahead of time won't ruin anything for you; it is simply what happens in all the films. With this 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. This one is actually pretty good though despite having some side additions that are unnecessary and don't really work. The plot is reasonably good and is well delivered although at times it is a bit of a stretch a problem to some viewers but most Columbo fans will just accept this as par for the course. The attempts at comedy are reasonably good but the scenes that place Columbo in, say, an interrogation room don't really fit with the formula.
The main winners for the film are the performance from the lead two. Falk is good even if the material isn't totally true to his character; but when given the chance he is really good as shown in the hilarious but mocking conclusion. Coleman is hardly a classic foil but at least he is up for some cat'n'mouse and his abrasive performance fits the film pretty well. The support is not as good; not so much in the bigger roles (which are all fine) but in the small additions like "regular" character George (Gilborn) and the pointlessly feisty Currie; although Little Richard at least is a strange find.
Overall though this should please fans even if it is not up to the standards of the original Columbo episodes. The main two are good together and the plot moves along well apart from a few big leaps here and there (and one weirdly creepy moment with a Columbo "mask"). Good enough for fans then but probably not strong enough to win new ones.
disappointing Columbo
blanche-210 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I gave this a 7 because of the great cast and some wonderful scenes, but it's a problematic script. And let's face it, the alibi is absolutely no good.
Dabney Coleman is an attorney with live-in girlfriend/rock star whom he kills. He then frames her boyfriend for the murder. One of the best things is that when Columbo hears her name, he knows what her hit song is! There's another hilarious scene in a restaurant where Coleman asks Columbo if he wants something to eat. Well, he starts ordering and just keeps on going, seemingly every new item being an afterthought - it's priceless.
Someone posted that Shera Danese (Falk's wife) who plays an associate in Coleman's law firm could not have provided the alibi, because she starts blackmailing him after the event. I believe she did what he asked her to do without realizing why - when she realizes why, she starts blackmailing him. I may be wrong - I don't have the episode in front of me.
My REAL problem with this episode is the fact that I've never understood how anybody could drive with that mask on. It did not look opaque to me. It looked like a photograph.
Some trivia: Falk's real-life wife, Shera Danese, wanted to play the girlfriend but was felt to be too old for the role. She MAY have sung the song, I can't remember now.
Dabney Coleman is an attorney with live-in girlfriend/rock star whom he kills. He then frames her boyfriend for the murder. One of the best things is that when Columbo hears her name, he knows what her hit song is! There's another hilarious scene in a restaurant where Coleman asks Columbo if he wants something to eat. Well, he starts ordering and just keeps on going, seemingly every new item being an afterthought - it's priceless.
Someone posted that Shera Danese (Falk's wife) who plays an associate in Coleman's law firm could not have provided the alibi, because she starts blackmailing him after the event. I believe she did what he asked her to do without realizing why - when she realizes why, she starts blackmailing him. I may be wrong - I don't have the episode in front of me.
My REAL problem with this episode is the fact that I've never understood how anybody could drive with that mask on. It did not look opaque to me. It looked like a photograph.
Some trivia: Falk's real-life wife, Shera Danese, wanted to play the girlfriend but was felt to be too old for the role. She MAY have sung the song, I can't remember now.
Superb Columbo, but only if you don't miss a vital piece of info provided early on.
sos45-977-2673523 May 2014
Superb episode. Extremely difficult frame-up by brilliant defense lawyer picked apart step by step by Columbo, until he is stumped by a seemingly foolproof alibi. The way he cracks it, and the manner of proving it provides for one of the most shocking and fabulous Columbo finales of all. Dabney Coleman is really good as the murderer, who thinks he can arrogantly get away with anything because of his unbeaten record as a murder defense lawyer and his powerful connections in the system. It seems to give Columbo an extra desire to get him, and you can hear the joy in his voice when he finally gets the last laugh and nails him. However, I do wish Falk had not included his wife Shera Danese in six episodes. If ever there was a case of nepotism, this was it. As superb as he was as an actor, that is how bad she was as an actress. But if that was the price to pay for enjoying Falk's immense talents in 68 Columbo episodes, I'll gladly pay it. However, after reading the other reviews, I realize that many people missed the main clue (e.g., eralan_uk), which ruined the whole episode for them. Without including a spoiler here (as I have carefully avoided them in all my reviews, so viewers can have advance notice of the quality of the episode beforehand), allow me to add this critical info. If you miss one cryptic early allusion to it, you will not be able to figure out how a person can create a complex fake alibi for a murderer, yet not suspect him as the murderer until after the fact. The answer is that the person unwittingly created the alibi, thinking it was for some other purpose, and only put two and two together after the fact. So pay careful attention when that person first reveals their suspicions to the murderer, as she briefly explains what she had been asked to do earlier, and how that led to her current suspicions. The full meaning of her cryptic comments only become clear later on, when the fake alibi is revealed.
Palimony
bkoganbing7 November 2016
This Columbo story has Peter Falk assigned to a double homicide of a former rock star who is the live-in mistress of wealthy defense attorney Dabney Coleman. Coleman has a reputation of never losing a criminal case. But mistress Cheryl Pais has enough information on Coleman and his methods that could ruin him. Still he wants her out of his life and he'll get her out one way or another.
Several years earlier a new word entered the English language courtesy of Michelle Triola Marvin and her attempts to collect alimony from Lee Marvin whom she lived with but never legally married. Her victory started a flood of those kind of suits and palimony became a word.
Coleman arranges the murder of both Pais and the guy she's been seeing on the side. Being a criminal lawyer he knows how to do it. He's even got a suspect suitable for framing.
One thing about this episode that had a different twist. Usually Columbo has to insinuate himself with the object of his suspicions to get close to him. Here Coleman uses whatever pull he has to get close to Columbo, the better to keep the eye on the investigation.
Coleman even has an alibi cooked up courtesy of his new law partner Shera Danese. You have to see what it is and how Peter Falk blows it apart at the climax.
Coleman who has taken a patent out on playing these smarmy characters is at his smarmy best in this Columbo story. Great to see him taken down.
Several years earlier a new word entered the English language courtesy of Michelle Triola Marvin and her attempts to collect alimony from Lee Marvin whom she lived with but never legally married. Her victory started a flood of those kind of suits and palimony became a word.
Coleman arranges the murder of both Pais and the guy she's been seeing on the side. Being a criminal lawyer he knows how to do it. He's even got a suspect suitable for framing.
One thing about this episode that had a different twist. Usually Columbo has to insinuate himself with the object of his suspicions to get close to him. Here Coleman uses whatever pull he has to get close to Columbo, the better to keep the eye on the investigation.
Coleman even has an alibi cooked up courtesy of his new law partner Shera Danese. You have to see what it is and how Peter Falk blows it apart at the climax.
Coleman who has taken a patent out on playing these smarmy characters is at his smarmy best in this Columbo story. Great to see him taken down.
A decent (late) Columbo
laurelhardy-1226813 December 2021
Although we've owned (and have repeatedly viewed) the complete collection for years; this is my first episode review. You know what that means?
I only have 68 to go.
Ok, Dabney Coleman actually does a pretty good job here. The story line is pretty good and the "clue collection/interpretation process", by Columbo is Ok, not bad/not great.
It's a bit slow and Falk even more so. Still, it's far superior entertainment than 99% of anything else y'all can find on the boob tube.
Slow at times but still, decent intrigue.
Bob R.
I only have 68 to go.
Ok, Dabney Coleman actually does a pretty good job here. The story line is pretty good and the "clue collection/interpretation process", by Columbo is Ok, not bad/not great.
It's a bit slow and Falk even more so. Still, it's far superior entertainment than 99% of anything else y'all can find on the boob tube.
Slow at times but still, decent intrigue.
Bob R.
Enjoyable episode. The main antagonist was a little weak in the things he did.
reb-warrior23 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I liked this one and could really follow along with Columbo on the path of clues: the corks with one and two stars, the rake path over the footprints, the berries in the truck, the truck had been moved, the glove prints, etc.
I think what doesn't make sense is Hugh involving Trish. I mean he went from one blackmailer straight to another one. And the goods she had on him, murder, was even worse than the goods Marcy had on him. He had to know she would figure it out when he loaned her his car and apparently got her to wear a mask of his face during the time Marcy was killed. So he knows ahead of time. And how could he be sure she would go along after the fact? To top it off he involves himself right away in the case by insisting Columbo share the case files with him. Being a so-called top-notch murder-suspect lawyer, you'd think he'd know better.
Speaking of which, I don't see how this guy was so top-notched as a defense lawyer, when his closing argument on the case he was on, was to say something like "look at this man, look into his eyes, does he look like a murderer to you." Lol. That doesn't seem very top-notched to me.
The mask thing seemed a little weak premise to me. Yes, I saw what Columbo saw when he looked at all the pictures and the lack of shadow. But I kept wondering when exactly did Trish put the mask on? And wasn't it a little awkward driving like that? And unsafe? And Trish never scoffed at doing this when Hugh asked her? I mean she didn't know about the murder plot beforehand. If she had a fender bender or anything, the whole thing would have been over just like that.
The blackmail Marcy had on Hugh seemed a little weak to me. She knows he paid off cops and did other unsavory things. But had no receipts for any of this? Just her word against his. And yet he caved to this right away.
The best parts were with Columbo. Just following along as he picked up on clues. And with certain scenarios such as ordering all kinds of foods at the dinner with Hugh, the fishtank mermaid scene, or entering the courtroom and stumbling past all the people sitting in the row. You know, all those cute, oddball moments. 7/10.
I think what doesn't make sense is Hugh involving Trish. I mean he went from one blackmailer straight to another one. And the goods she had on him, murder, was even worse than the goods Marcy had on him. He had to know she would figure it out when he loaned her his car and apparently got her to wear a mask of his face during the time Marcy was killed. So he knows ahead of time. And how could he be sure she would go along after the fact? To top it off he involves himself right away in the case by insisting Columbo share the case files with him. Being a so-called top-notch murder-suspect lawyer, you'd think he'd know better.
Speaking of which, I don't see how this guy was so top-notched as a defense lawyer, when his closing argument on the case he was on, was to say something like "look at this man, look into his eyes, does he look like a murderer to you." Lol. That doesn't seem very top-notched to me.
The mask thing seemed a little weak premise to me. Yes, I saw what Columbo saw when he looked at all the pictures and the lack of shadow. But I kept wondering when exactly did Trish put the mask on? And wasn't it a little awkward driving like that? And unsafe? And Trish never scoffed at doing this when Hugh asked her? I mean she didn't know about the murder plot beforehand. If she had a fender bender or anything, the whole thing would have been over just like that.
The blackmail Marcy had on Hugh seemed a little weak to me. She knows he paid off cops and did other unsavory things. But had no receipts for any of this? Just her word against his. And yet he caved to this right away.
The best parts were with Columbo. Just following along as he picked up on clues. And with certain scenarios such as ordering all kinds of foods at the dinner with Hugh, the fishtank mermaid scene, or entering the courtroom and stumbling past all the people sitting in the row. You know, all those cute, oddball moments. 7/10.
Pretty Routine.
rmax30482325 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The set up at the beginning is good enough, and the movie has other virtues. Columbo is his usual bumbling self and the plot is by no means dull or disjointed. Dabney Coleman makes a good nervous murderer. And Little Richard RULES. The guy has only a few minutes screen time but he's one of the best things in the picture, seated at his on stage piano and pounding out something that sounds like a variation on the theme of "Tutti Frutti." What a voice! Even when he speaks its terminal contours curl upward so that every utterance ends in a high-pitched squeak! And there are surprises in store for the viewer.
But the formula is a little shakier than usual. For one thing, some of the murder's machinations are hidden from the viewer as well as from Columbo, so that as Coleman's scheme unravels you rub your eyes and ask, "Where did THAT come from?" Another weakness lies in the number of improbabilities. Every episode of course has its lucky breaks. Example from another episode: Columbo enters a large carpeted living room in which a murder has taken place, glances around, and spots the discarded stub of flint from a cigarette lighter on the floor. Okay. We can live with that. Columbo's intuitions are guided by the great Jub-Jub in the sky. But here there are so many implausibilities that it becomes painful to our willing suspension of disbelief.
Example from this episode. Coleman has no alibi until it turns out that his picture was taken by an automatic speeding camera 50 miles from the scene of the murder at the time it was taking place. Columbo replicates the act and compares the picture taken of himself to the picture taken of Coleman. They look identical except that Columbo's nose leaves a shadow and Coleman's didn't. This "proves" (Columbo's word) that someone else was driving the car with a mask of Coleman's face over his or her own. Well, I guess my intuition has no mojo but I would suppose that if a driver happened to tilt his shadowless face a few degrees downward in the direction of the steering wheel, a shadow might appear under his nose where there had been none before. Nope. The errant shadow explanation did not work for pictures of Lee Harvey Oswald holding the rifle in his back yard and it does not work here either.
I don't mean to put this episode down or to be too harsh on it. It's generally well acted (with a few really puny efforts from one or two bit players) and entertaining. It's just not among Columbo's best.
But the formula is a little shakier than usual. For one thing, some of the murder's machinations are hidden from the viewer as well as from Columbo, so that as Coleman's scheme unravels you rub your eyes and ask, "Where did THAT come from?" Another weakness lies in the number of improbabilities. Every episode of course has its lucky breaks. Example from another episode: Columbo enters a large carpeted living room in which a murder has taken place, glances around, and spots the discarded stub of flint from a cigarette lighter on the floor. Okay. We can live with that. Columbo's intuitions are guided by the great Jub-Jub in the sky. But here there are so many implausibilities that it becomes painful to our willing suspension of disbelief.
Example from this episode. Coleman has no alibi until it turns out that his picture was taken by an automatic speeding camera 50 miles from the scene of the murder at the time it was taking place. Columbo replicates the act and compares the picture taken of himself to the picture taken of Coleman. They look identical except that Columbo's nose leaves a shadow and Coleman's didn't. This "proves" (Columbo's word) that someone else was driving the car with a mask of Coleman's face over his or her own. Well, I guess my intuition has no mojo but I would suppose that if a driver happened to tilt his shadowless face a few degrees downward in the direction of the steering wheel, a shadow might appear under his nose where there had been none before. Nope. The errant shadow explanation did not work for pictures of Lee Harvey Oswald holding the rifle in his back yard and it does not work here either.
I don't mean to put this episode down or to be too harsh on it. It's generally well acted (with a few really puny efforts from one or two bit players) and entertaining. It's just not among Columbo's best.
there is a problem in this movie
vencat9 August 2003
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER ALERT!!! the airtight alibi of hugh creighton is suppose to be done by somebody else as he was on the murder scene. It could not be his associate who after the fact started to blackmail him. She was not part of the murder plan... I would very much appreciate to hear from others regarding this discrepency. thanks shiva vencat (a big fan of Colombo)
The Lawyer
AaronCapenBanner6 March 2016
Dabney Coleman stars as a successful yet arrogant lawyer named Hugh Creighton who discovers that his live-in girlfriend(and former rock star) Marcy(played by Cheryl Paris) is having an affair with her former drummer Neddy Malcolm(played by Julian Stone) so decides to murder her, then frame him for the crime, with assistance from his soon-to-be business partner/wife Trish Edwards(played by Shera Danese) Lt. Columbo(Peter Falk) finds that the evidence points to the powerful and influential Creighton, so proving his case will be a challenge indeed... Coleman is excellent here, and matches off well against Falk in memorable episode(though it is odd that, with their mutual professional success, they never crossed paths before...)
Sam Marlowe?
hipchecker205 May 2022
I caught the references to Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe.
Good thing Shera Danese married Peter Falk, as she sure can't act.
John Finnegan has played janitors, waiters, bums on the street, and other characters. Now all of a sudden he is the chief of police. I don't buy it.
Dislike it when Columbo's legal "superiors" don't get what he is getting to. With his track record there should be much more believability.
Good thing Shera Danese married Peter Falk, as she sure can't act.
John Finnegan has played janitors, waiters, bums on the street, and other characters. Now all of a sudden he is the chief of police. I don't buy it.
Dislike it when Columbo's legal "superiors" don't get what he is getting to. With his track record there should be much more believability.
For the Columbo Trivia Buffs
gene-072022 May 2019
Dabney Coleman played a detective in an earlier episode ("Double Shock) and a murderer in this one. It is mentioned in the "Trivia Section"... However, Fred Draper played a murderer in "Last Salute to the Commodore" and a Police Investigator In "Negative Reaction" with Dick Van Dyke - Also a Fabulous episode.. Mr. Draper appeared in 6 episodes.
Great Episode!!!
Twilight_Wraith4 August 2003
Columbo always has a reputation for being a very clever and witty murder mystery series. Columbo is not perfect, has instances where he is incredibly disorganized, then later his thoughts will be completely organized. This is the part of his great charisma and charm. I find him to be a very funny and likable guy. Episodes of Columbo where the Murderer seems to have all his or her bases covered seem to be the best episodes. Dabney Coleman's character seems to have committed the perfect murder in this episode "Columbo and the murder of a rock star". Dabney Coleman plays a very rich lawyer (who has NEVER lost a murder case) who is threatened by his rocker girlfriend. Of course This Rich lawyer guy kills his girlfriend, Columbo gets suspicious and of course his suspicions inevitably lead to the Lawyer! Ah but the Lawyer comes up with a last minute airtight alibi! Then Columbo proves the alibi to be false! How? Oh no you've gotta watch it to find out! I'll never tell!
Amusing (as pretty much always), but certainly not my favorite Columbo episode.
punishmentpark2 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Another fun episode, but Dabney Coleman's performance is a little too silly at times; it seems his character became a big time lawyer by being very childish all the time? There is yet another supporting role for Peter Falk's wife Shera Danese, one that is not very memorable, to be honest. The small part for Tad Horino as the 'gardener for the rich and famous' (just today I coincidentally saw - concerning the recent suicide of Cathriona White - a photo of and a short bit on of a real-life gardener for the rich and famous for forty years, Frank Nakama. Could this Columbo character be based on him?) was short but sweet. Another small part was here for Grant Heslov as 'lab technician, including a high speed field trip; fun also.
And so, this episode has many short sequences with lots of supporting parts (Sondra Currie, Julian Stone, Little Richard, etc.) that make it a somewhat chaotic experience. And, again, the clever killer not noticing the different brands of champagne (among other details) seems a little contrived, but then, where would Columbo be without such flawed culprits?
6 out of 10.
And so, this episode has many short sequences with lots of supporting parts (Sondra Currie, Julian Stone, Little Richard, etc.) that make it a somewhat chaotic experience. And, again, the clever killer not noticing the different brands of champagne (among other details) seems a little contrived, but then, where would Columbo be without such flawed culprits?
6 out of 10.
nearly a classic
stamp-587-1497472 April 2017
This is a very good Columbo episode. Some the bad reviews have missed important detail that are there, but not stressed---you might need to watch closely, or more than once to pick up all of the clues.
IMHO, this would rank as one of the all-time great episodes, if not for a couple of issues. The biggest weakness is Shera Danese who plays the bad guy's accomplice and partner (and who in real life was Peter Falk's wife, which probably explains a lot...). Her character is schizophrenic, playing it cool and collected in most scenes, but in at least one scene she so overacts that it's painful to watch. The other (lesser) flaw is that the villain himself goes a bit over the top a few times, obviously attracting attention to himself when it would have been smarter to keep a low profile and force Columbo to have to work a little harder.
Again, a very enjoyable episode with a strong ending. And who wouldn't enjoy seeing a lawyer get outsmarted by Columbo?
IMHO, this would rank as one of the all-time great episodes, if not for a couple of issues. The biggest weakness is Shera Danese who plays the bad guy's accomplice and partner (and who in real life was Peter Falk's wife, which probably explains a lot...). Her character is schizophrenic, playing it cool and collected in most scenes, but in at least one scene she so overacts that it's painful to watch. The other (lesser) flaw is that the villain himself goes a bit over the top a few times, obviously attracting attention to himself when it would have been smarter to keep a low profile and force Columbo to have to work a little harder.
Again, a very enjoyable episode with a strong ending. And who wouldn't enjoy seeing a lawyer get outsmarted by Columbo?
That's the ticket!
safenoe12 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
One famous line from SNL is "That's the ticket!" and yes in Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star, it's the ticket that finally entraps the murderer, deliciously played by Dabney Coleman, just a couple of years after his starring role in the underrated TV series Slap Maxwell.
The ending with the ticket and face mask (not the pandemic one) was a leap in logic and just shows the lengths murders will go to in order to avoid the clutches of Lieutenant Columbo.
The closing credits with Columbo an the boom box and CD (compact disc) was a sign of the times when in 1991 CDs were on their way to nudging out vinyl.
The ending with the ticket and face mask (not the pandemic one) was a leap in logic and just shows the lengths murders will go to in order to avoid the clutches of Lieutenant Columbo.
The closing credits with Columbo an the boom box and CD (compact disc) was a sign of the times when in 1991 CDs were on their way to nudging out vinyl.
Very Well Made
zombiecrab22 August 2021
Disappointing but watchable Columbo mystery
TheLittleSongbird9 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star is nowhere near among the best of the series(Try and Catch Me, Forgotten Lady, By Dawn's Early Light, Any Old Port in A Storm, Death Lends a Hand) or even one of the best of the newer episodes(Ashes to Ashes, A Bird in the Hand, Agenda for Murder, Death Hits the Jackpot), but I have seen far worse too(No Time to Die, Murder in Malibu, Last Salute to the Commodore, Grand Deceptions, Dead Weight).
I will admit I was disappointed in Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star. The script and story certainly do have their moments, but they are also problematic. The script has moments of cleverness and wit, especially in the priceless restaurant scene, but there are also moments where the tension seemed to be lacking and where the humour tried a little too hard and coming across as overdone instead. The story is a good idea and there are parts where it is diverting, but while there are scenes that are paced perfectly there are others that are sluggishly so. And as outlined in previous reviews(though I did like the episode more than they did) the overall story is not always very plausible, although I understand it much more now since the previous viewing where I was completely perplexed, I also don't buy the whole thing with the mask.
However, it is beautifully filmed and directed with some striking locations, and the music is both atmospheric and driven and not too twee. The acting from the leads is great, Peter Falk continues to embody the role, and Dabney Coleman while not among my favourite guest stars of the series is very enjoyable and interacts with Falk very well. Their scenes together are the best of the entire episode and both make the most of them. Shera Danese is solid in her role and Little Richard is a hoot even with his screen time, but the rest of the support cast while not bad at all also don't stand out in the same way.
Overall, not bad but something was lacking for me. 7/10 Bethany Cox.
I will admit I was disappointed in Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star. The script and story certainly do have their moments, but they are also problematic. The script has moments of cleverness and wit, especially in the priceless restaurant scene, but there are also moments where the tension seemed to be lacking and where the humour tried a little too hard and coming across as overdone instead. The story is a good idea and there are parts where it is diverting, but while there are scenes that are paced perfectly there are others that are sluggishly so. And as outlined in previous reviews(though I did like the episode more than they did) the overall story is not always very plausible, although I understand it much more now since the previous viewing where I was completely perplexed, I also don't buy the whole thing with the mask.
However, it is beautifully filmed and directed with some striking locations, and the music is both atmospheric and driven and not too twee. The acting from the leads is great, Peter Falk continues to embody the role, and Dabney Coleman while not among my favourite guest stars of the series is very enjoyable and interacts with Falk very well. Their scenes together are the best of the entire episode and both make the most of them. Shera Danese is solid in her role and Little Richard is a hoot even with his screen time, but the rest of the support cast while not bad at all also don't stand out in the same way.
Overall, not bad but something was lacking for me. 7/10 Bethany Cox.
Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star
Prismark1011 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The great character actor Dabney Coleman was going through a nice purple patch in his career so was a bit of a casting coup here.
He plays Hugh Creighton ace defence lawyer who discovers his girlfriend a former rock star is having an affair. Splitting up is going to be an expensive option so he resorts to murder and frames the man she was sleeping with. Poor Creighton his luck does not get any better, Columbo is on to him and an associate of the firm guesses that he murdered his girlfriend and she proposes a partnership both professionally and personally.
There are a lot of soft rock tunes being played in this episode, a reflection of the influence of 1980s television especially after the show Miami Vice aired. At one point Little Richard turns up just as he once did in Miami Vice!
This is a routine Columbo episode since the show returned in the late 80s. It really drags a bit, Sondra Currie is nice eye candy as the cop helping out Columbo. The breaking of the alibi with the photo mask was all nonsensical and a good defence lawyer would had torn it to shreds.
Watch out for Grant Heslov as the nerdy tech guy who aids Columbo with the speed camera. He went on to win an Oscar as one of the producers for the film Argo.
He plays Hugh Creighton ace defence lawyer who discovers his girlfriend a former rock star is having an affair. Splitting up is going to be an expensive option so he resorts to murder and frames the man she was sleeping with. Poor Creighton his luck does not get any better, Columbo is on to him and an associate of the firm guesses that he murdered his girlfriend and she proposes a partnership both professionally and personally.
There are a lot of soft rock tunes being played in this episode, a reflection of the influence of 1980s television especially after the show Miami Vice aired. At one point Little Richard turns up just as he once did in Miami Vice!
This is a routine Columbo episode since the show returned in the late 80s. It really drags a bit, Sondra Currie is nice eye candy as the cop helping out Columbo. The breaking of the alibi with the photo mask was all nonsensical and a good defence lawyer would had torn it to shreds.
Watch out for Grant Heslov as the nerdy tech guy who aids Columbo with the speed camera. He went on to win an Oscar as one of the producers for the film Argo.
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