Columbo (TV Series) A Trace of Murder (1997) User Reviews

Three eyes are better than one!

[Boba_Fett1138 · 7/10 · 17 November 2008]

I liked watching this Columbo movie. It follows the usual formula but has a story with some twists to it, in which 2 lovers are trying to frame the wife's husband for a murder in order to get the husband out of the way. The man and murderer also happens to work for the police as a forensics expert and therefore starts to work directly with Lt. Columbo on the case. At first he really seriously doesn't suspect him (which is almost un-Columbo like) and it isn't until halve way through that the good old lieutenant starts to figure out the truth.

It's a nice concept, that is also rather well written, though the movie gets a bit weaker as the movie progresses and it starts to drag a bit with its concept. Also the seemingly 'perfect' plan seems actually more and more stupendous and not thought out well enough. It has too many holes and clues in it for Lt. Columbo to figure that something fishy is going on here. So even though it's well written and original within its usual framework, it just isn't the most watertight script, plot-wise.

What also mostly makes this movie such a fine and fun Columbo movie to watch is its nice comedy. There some real fine and subtle comedy within this movie, which made me enjoy this movie even more than the usual average Columbo movie entry.

It was the last movie Vincent McEveety directed for the Columbo series. He directed a total of 7 Columbo movies in the '90's. All of them are special Columbo movie entries in their own way and they are each original. I think this is why he got asked so many times back to direct another Columbo movie. No, not all of his Columbo movies work out but at least you can always say that it's different than usual, which already is a big thing for a Columbo movie. Fore lets face it, in essence every Columbo movie is of course the same.

The cast was also good. Normally the later Columbo movies don't have a too good or impressive cast but in this movie all actors do a good job. Even though the movie doesn't feature the biggest names in the business this really doesn't harm this Columbo entry in the way it had harmed some of the other later Columbo movies. Even Shera Danese is good in this one. Danese at the time (and still is) married to Peter Falk, which had landed her some roles in more than a few Columbo movies. Normally she isn't much good but in this movie she plays her role simply well.

A Columbo movie I simply enjoyed watching, despite its plot flaws and problems.

7/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

A trace of quality indicative of the original series

[The Welsh Raging Bull · 7/10 · 2 January 2003]

A 1997 Columbo episode which was made to celebrate 25 years of the detective on television. The plot centres around a woman who conspires with her lover (who just happens to be part of the police forensics team that eventually survey the murder scene) to frame her rich husband for the murder of his business partner who was suing him.

Since Columbo's return to the small screen in 1988, the series has been very hit-and-miss: there have been some episodes which have upheld the decision to bring Columbo back, whilst others merely aggravate and dismay loyal fans of the series with thoughtless and badly conceived changes to the formula.

This particular episode has a strong plot which is executed with the conviction it deserves, but I'm at pains to explain the logic behind putting cat hairs from the murder scene on the back of the person's suit to incriminate him - in a murder scenario, how would they get there; perhaps on a sleeve or on a part of the trousers, but on the back of the suit??

Nevertheless, there are clever aspects to this story: the gradual dismantling of the "frame" with a vital clue and how Columbo initially deduces that the wife and the police forensics expert know each other.

Yes, the episode is haunted with a little predictability: the wedding photos do indicate precisely when the husband acquired cat hair on the back of his suit and yes, they could have trimmed down the last half hour of the movie: it suffers from distinct protractedness because the murderers' plot has all but failed after nearly an hour and the final scene which sees Columbo re-enact how he discovered that the wife and the forensics expert actually knew each other is totally unnecessary and badly staged.

There are some good performances in evidence too: Peter Falk's real-life wife, Shera Danese (who plays the wife who frames her husband) acts well here and here scenes with Columbo are better than you might expect. Also, Barry Corbin as the framed husband perfectly conveys his character's business-like volatility.

Overall, this a distinct "breath of fresh air" for a series which was undeniably ailing with some of its past inferior, badly judged scripts.

One of the best

[preacha93 · 9/10 · 2 January 2005]

I've read lots of comments about this movie, both good and bad, and I must say that I think it is one of the best of the newer Columbo movies. This was actually the first time I'd seen him stumped for the majority of the movie, and it wasn't until shortly before the end that he actually figured it out. Although I love Columbo, the main reason I decided to watch this one was because I loved David Rasche in Sledge Hammer (please make more of those). However, the plot for this one kept me riveted to the couch and not wanting to move. Possibly not as good as many of the classics from the 70s, but definitely better than most of the newer episodes I've seen. Watch it if you get a chance.

Slightly changes the formula just enough to make it feel different without losing touch with what has made Columbo successful down the years

[bob the moo · 2 April 2006]

Cathleen Calvert wants to leave her millionaire husband Clifford and set up with lover Patrick Kinsley. However a water-tight prenuptial agreement means that divorce will leave her with nothing. Killing him is deemed far too risky and obvious a crime but if only they could get him out of the way without losing access to his wealth. Luckily for them, Clifford is being threatened with a major lawsuit from accountant Howard Seltzer and Cathleen decides that the easiest thing to do would be to murder Seltzer and frame Clifford. The deed is easy and it looks like an open and shut case given how much evidence is available (thanks to the knowledge Kingsley has as a member of the police forensics team). Problem is, for Lt. Columbo, it just doesn't ring true and he just keeps digging.

With the long running Columbo formula it is tempting to try and change it and "new" Columbo films have occasionally fallen into the trap of ditching the formula and trying something new – it rarely worked. However with this film the writers have successfully varied the formula while still retaining enough of it to avoid losing the elements of the series that make it so successful. It is a bit of a problem that the plot is built on a lot of coincidences and illogical risks but generally the film manages to keep things working so that I just accepted the events. Having said that, it didn't ring true that Kinsley, having left enough forensic evidence to frame the pope, would feel he has to get more involved in the case. Such things aside though the film is an engaging mystery that is fun to watch because we get to see Columbo at work, going after his main suspect as per formula but also having more out there to engage his mind and take him in a different direction. It is a nice touch and, like I said, it allows the film to do what the series normally do while also doing things differently.

Falk works with this well and embraces the chance to show his character working internally with the slightest little clues. He delivers some nice comic touches throughout and, as usual, seems totally comfortable within his own skin. The casting of the two male supports is good. Corbin is a solid presence and he provides the tension with Columbo while Rasche provides the "I'll help you solve this" element of the formula – so together they provide the usual stuff but the fact that it is split makes it more interesting. Danese is less convincing but the film doesn't put too much on her. There isn't much support to speak of and generally the main three male actors do well to carry it with good performances.

Overall then a pretty enjoyable Columbo film. Although the change in formula comes with illogical devices and unlikely setups it does generally work and it presents the formula while also changing it. As many of the new Columbo films show, changing the formula is a risky business but here it pulls it off.

One of the more watchable later episodes

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 10 April 2012]

By all means A Trace of Murder is not quite one of the best of the later episodes, but it is a more than watchable and worthy one. I wasn't too crazy about the ending though, I liked the twist, but the reveal itself too too dragged-out and contrived for my liking. Still, it is like all the Columbos a well made episode, with a score that fits well with the atmosphere and tension. The writing also convinces, especially in the pleasingly subtle comedy, and the story is diverting with a good mix of tense, charming and humorous scenes. Peter Falk is still excellent as Columbo, was there anything this man could not do, and while Shera Danese is solid in her most interesting role of the series I found Barry Corbin as the volatile framed husband even better. All in all, very watchable, and while not one of the best A Trace of Murder is a worthy episode still. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Framing a loudmouth boor

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 21 May 2017]

Real life Mrs. Peter Falk, Shera Danese is one of two people who plot a killing, the other is her lover David Rasche. Danese is married to tycoon Barry Corbin who is a real loudmouth boor. But he's got her by the pre-nup, she gets not enough to continue the style of living she was accustomed to.

But if Corbin gets murdered she's looked at right away as a suspect. What to do, but murder someone that Corbin has a motive to kill. The poor schnook they pick on is someone who is suing Corbin and who Corbin had a public quarrel with.

That would be Raye Birk, middle-aged bachelor who lives a quiet conservative lifestyle. Rasche murders him and together evidence is planted implicating Corbin.

Truthfully I don't think many would have missed Corbin. But Birk is an innocent soul and these two are as coldblooded a pair that Columbo ever encountered.

It's as usual little details with Columbo that don't quite fit. He's up against something he's never faced before with one of the killers which I won't reveal. But it all hinges on Danese and Rasche keeping their relationship secret. And it's little things that give them away.

Columbo always spots these details, but in this one he's almost Monk like in his anal retentiveness.

One of the best of the newer batch.

A lesser story, but one with tons of charm

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 15 July 2015]

A TRACE OF MURDER is one of the last of the Columbo series, and its odd to see the detective as a much older, weather-beaten character. He still seems to be in good shape though, and Peter Falk is certainly on very good form in what turns out to be a distinctly average mystery.

The guest star this time around is Shera Danese, Falk's real-life wife. She conspires with her lover to frame her domineering husband for murder, to get him sent to prison so she can get her hands on his fortune. To complicate matters further, her lover is a forensic expert who ends up working as Columbo's assistant on the case. How long before the wily detective sees through the charade?

A TRACE OF MURDER seems to have been hastily written as the mystery isn't up too much. The bit at the end where Columbo grabs a random couple of restaurant workers to explain the intricacies of the plot is an example of writing at its most threadbare. Even so, this is still a charming story and there's plenty of humour which works really well. I love the scene where Falk is flabbergasted after a sudden realisation, and the "three eyes are better than one" gag is top notch. This is still a Columbo well worth watching if only for the character. Barry Corbin is also great fun as the short-tempered husband.

The good, the bad and the ugly

[Bschorr · 10/10 · 17 November 2004]

Overall this is a pretty good Columbo, in my opinion, though it does have some glaring weaknesses.

Barry Corbin is very good as the loud husband who gets framed by Shera Danese. Danese turns in her usual performance; she's lovely and interesting but seems to play essentially the same character in every episode.

The criminologist "bad guy" does a pretty sloppy job for a supposed expert -- that may be the biggest plot weakness; it's hard to believe he was that dumb. A long way from CSI.

The other weakness is the ending - the twist is good enough, I suppose, but the scene in which he reveals it is contrived and overplayed.

All in all, a good story. If they'd redone the ending and let the villain be a little more clever it would have been a great one. As it is, it's just good.

-B-

Barry Corbin As a Bad Guy Who Is An Innocent Chump

[theowinthrop · 7/10 · 21 June 2008]

It is generally said (and I feel unfairly) that all of the Columbo episodes that were made from the late 1980s to the last few years were inferior to the earlier ones. The Levinson - Link formula for the Lieutenant was maintained in these later episodes, but (unless one likes to totally repeat oneself) new tricks were done in the plots. In one concerning a modern painter with a "Matisse" style reputation, as Peter Falk talked to the artist the camera changed into perspective mirroring the artist's style of painting. I happened to think that was rather clever.

Nothing so complicated here. Instead it was the biggest threat to Columbo's investigation from the police side of it since Richard Kiley (in an early episode) played the Police Commissioner who murdered his wife. Here the villain is David Rasche (a good choice - he and Dabney Coleman had to wait for these late episodes to finally rise or fall to the occasion as guest villain). Rasch is a pathologist with the L.A. Police who has been romancing Shera Denese (Mrs. Falk in real life), who is married to Barry Corbin, a multi-millionaire scoundrel.

It is Corbin that makes me enjoy this episode. It is like the negative side of his go-getting military millionaire Maurice Minnifield in NORTHERN EXPOSURE. But Maurice, for all his flaws, was a decent fellow, and Alaska is the last frontier (in many respects) for American capitalism. He was a booster of the state. Not so Corbin's "Clifford Calvert". He is a financial success, but in the tradition of Jay Gould or Charles Ponzi or Charles Keating. Gordon Gecko would have approved of him. He has swindled his way to a grand life style, and has been clever enough to make it nearly foolproof. In fact he is so rich that he can let everything hang out - not only his stout belly, but his real enjoyment of the good life.

There are only two things that threaten this vulgarian. Franklin Cover is one of the suckers who fell for Corbin's schemes, and has brought a shareholders suit. To Corbin this is an annoyance (he knows Cover and the two never have gotten along). The other thing is that his trophy wife loathes him, and wants out of the marriage. But Corbin was as smart with her as he was with stockholders - she had to sign a prenuptial agreement that leaves her nothing if she leaves or divorces him. But if he is (shall we say) put out of the way by the State of California with a life sentence for murder, well she can then enjoy his millions without him.

Rasche is the perfect match for Denese. He knows how to plant the right clues to catch Corbin. Together they murder Cover, and then frame the hapless swindler for the killing. It is one of the few times a scoundrel is made sympathetic by worse scoundrels.

Enter our favorite methodical Lieutenant. He sees the forensic reports and has seen the homicide scenes. He has also met Rasche (he has to, as the man is the head forensics at the scene of the crime), Corbin, and Denese. Yeah, it looks like a good case against Corbin, but he insists he was at a big dinner party too far from the scene of the crime to have committed it.

I won't spoil the fun about how Columbo saves the skin of the swindler. It's a matter of etiquette in the end. But the best is how Corbin while talking to Columbo learns they share a taste for cigars...and lectures him on the only civilized way of smoking a fine cigar. At the end a grateful Corbin gives a gift to Columbo on this point - with dubious results for the Lieutenant.

Trying too hard for the perfect conviction!

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 14 August 2021]

A woman is having an affair and she and her lover want to convict her much older husband of a murder. Now, I do not know why they didn't just kill the husband...but that's neither here nor there. Regardless, after the boyfriend kills a man who is suing the woman's husband, you learn that the boyfriend is ALSO a forensic scientist who works for the police department...and he's in charge of this investigation in the case! With all these cards stacked against him, how could Columbo actually prove the pair are working to convict the innocent husband?

This is a case where the forensic expert and the wife work way too hard to create an air tight case...something you often DON'T have in a murder case. In fact, so many details are attended to that I would wonder if this might actually alert the police...as the details are seemingly too perfect.

So is this any good? Absolutely....a very good episode. There is a funny mistake...or at least it seems incredibly unlikely. As the killer points the gun towards the camera to kill the poor schnook, you can see the revolver's chambers are empty. I suppose there could be one in the chamber...but who would load a gun with only one bullet if they are going to use it for a murder?! But apart from that, it's very good and very compelling...and well written.

By the way, this is the sixth and final time Peter Falk's wife, Shera Danese is on the show. She is just fine...a good actress. But if you're binge watching you'll likely be annoyed by how ubiquitous she is...but with a show only airing 2-6 times a year, I am pretty sure folks seeing it back in the 1990s wouldn't have noticed.

Also by the way, I noticed at least one reviewer complained that the end drug a bit. I would agree, as we didn't need to know EVERY detail Columbo noticed....just the main ones. But it didn't harm it much....barely at all.

This "Columbo" continues with its trademark enjoyable prime suspects: Barry Corbin impresses.

[8-Foot · 7/10 · 5 November 2001]

In addition to slow-to-unravel plots and Columbo's simultaneously folksy and irritating (to suspects) manner, many episodes in the Columbo saga also feature colorful prime suspects played by felicitously chosen actors. Often, a delightful chemistry develops between Columbo and his quarry.

Once again, great chemistry! Barry Corbin delivers as a brawling, coarse, mince-few-words business tycoon with no patience for irritations.

lots of good things here

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 3 December 2017]

"A Touch of Murder" is a late Columbo and, as a few of the later ones do, it deviates from the formula. In this case, unlike other cases, the deviation works.

The real-life Mrs. Falk, Shera Danese, plays Cathleen Calvert, the wife of millionaire Clifford (Barry Corbin). She is having an affair with the head of forensics with LAPD, Patrick Kinsley (David Rasche) and wants to get rid of her husband. She and Kinsley decide, since Clifford is in the midst of a lawsuit that could cost him millions, killing the litigant (Raye Birk) and framing Clifford is a better idea.

This was a fun episode, with Shera Danese in a spectacular wardrobe and jewels throughout. David Rasche is charming and lighthearted in his delivery - but I must say, his character was not a very good forensics person. Or perhaps he wasn't counting on someone as sharp as Columbo.

I loved Columbo's "aha" moment, as well as his observations, but the ending with him demonstrating how he figured things out to Barney was obviously done because the episode was running short.

Nevertheless, highly enjoyable.

The best part is the realization Columbo has.

[reb-warrior · 7/10 · 25 July 2021]

The plot by the two murderers seems kind of weak. Let's say Clifford does go to jail. Can't he still control his business and money to some extent anyway? Can't Clifford still divorce his wife? I mean given that his gun was missing, but most especially that his jacket had cat hair on it, isn't it going to be obvious to the guy that his wife set him up?

Columbo was fun as usual. Barry Corbin was great as Clifford, even funny. I enjoyed watching as Columbo picked up on the clues, such as the cigar, and traced Clifford's alleged path to the murder on the map.

My absolute favorite moment was when Columbo came to the realization that Patrick and Kathleen knew each other. I mean he really almost looked sick, and completely flabbergasted by it. Great moments, such as when Patrick placed the sweetener near Cathleen and later when he opened the door to the car for her. Such a habit that he didn't even realize what he did. But Columbo saw, and then you could see the wheels spinning in his face.

As for the end, he did cleverly set them up. He had Cathleen dead to rights, but the set-up enabled him to get Patrick too, even though it was a little over-the-top in the scenario, with Columbo almost overacting here.

Patrick's and Cathleen's plan had many flaws in it. They were amusing in a way because they thought they were so clever. Clifford was great as an old grouchy but funny curmudgeon. Columbo is awesome as usual. 7/10.

Old Columbo much better than new one

[baadqir · 4/10 · 21 June 2021]

I have been a long time fan of the Columbo series, however some things need to be just left alone. Falk is like a aging fighter who cannot see his prime has pasted him. While there have been few good series in the reboots of the 90's most of them to me have fallen.

Also I get this is Hollywood and the man in charge Falk is going to repeatedly recast his choice favorite actors (most whom are white) including his real life wife Shera Danese in more episodes than she needs to play. She is a B list actress at best and she was not convincing to me in this role but I get it that Falk will cast who he wants including his trophy wifey.

I thought Corbin was great as a feisty mogul, yet the writing of the latter shows are not what they used to be. It was always so funny to me that Columbo could be working for the police in LA, a very multi racial city yet so few people of color are seen in most episodes as major characters let alone none of the major crimes of the show were ever committed by a black character.

Great!

[BSandor · 9 January 2001]

This Columbo-episode must be one of the best ever. The plot is simple: Mrs. Cathleen Calvert (played by Shera Danese, Peter Falk's real-time wife!) has a rich husband, Clifford (played by Barry Corbin), but she has also a lover, Patrick Kinsley (played by David Rasche). To get rid of her husband, Cathleen figures out a great plan: they make him responsible for a murder. All evidence leads Columbo to him. Will Clifford ever be free or was the plan perfect? Watch the movie to figure it out!

I loved the plot: it was interesting. It was fun to watch Barry Corbin as Clifford, his character was funny. Shera Danese again in a Columbo-movie, but this is good: she can act, whatever character is needed. Peter Falk as Columbo is perfect as always.

I can recommend this movie for everybody looking for a good mystery.

Sledgehammer!

[safenoe · 8/10 · 7 November 2023]

David Rasche, famous for Sledgehammer! From the 1980s, guest stars as Patrick Kinsley, a LAPD forensic bigwig who connives with a wealthy socialite, Cathleen Calvert (played by Peter Falk's real-life wife Shera Danese). David does his best to plant evidence at the crime scene and this brought back memories of allegations of LAPD Forensic misconduct in the trial of the century where a retired NFL superstar was put on trial for double murder and issues of who planted the glove.

Vincent J. McEveety, the son of the director, Vincent McEveety, plays the Bus Boy. I'm enjoying watching the modern day Columbos.

"A Trace of Murder" (1997)

[Wuchakk · 7/10 · 18 June 2015]

PLOT: A spoiled rich woman (Shera Danese) is having an affair with another man (David Rasche), but she can't divorce her entrepreneur husband (Barry Corbin) because of their prenuptial agreement, which would leave her destitute. So they hatch a scheme to murder of the husband's legal nemesis (Raye Birk) and frame him.

COMMENTARY: Striking Danese was Peter Falk's wife from 1977 till his death in 2011. She appeared in 6 Columbo movies with this one being her biggest role as guest star. Rache is likable, but with a sinister streak, while Corbin is convincing as the proud curmudgeonly mogul, not to mention amusing. The murder scheme is creative and the subsequent investigation creates mounting interest as the disheveled detective zeroes-in on the killers. I like the way he suddenly realizes that the two are in cahoots and turns 'em against each other.

GRADE: B

RIDICULOUS!

[skarylarry-93400 · 6/10 · 22 September 2021]

There is no way the forensic expert would make all the amateur mistakes he made. The episode has no credibility!

I Enjoyed this Episode.

[gene-07202 · 7/10 · 12 April 2019]

An excellent Columbo mystery... One point. The Forensic Investigator, more than once, states to his co-conspirator that he thinks this guy" Lt Columbo is "goofy". They are meeting for the first time because the Investigator had been teaching at the Police Academy until recently. Then why would he NOT KNOW about Lt Columbo and that his "Façade" of being bumbling and different is all JUST a façade? Otherwise I enjoyed this immensely.

A Trace of Murder

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 8 April 2019]

Loud, obnoxious millionaire businessman Clifford Calvert (Barry Corbin) is being sued by a disgruntled investor Howard Seltzer.

Clifford's wife Cathleen (Shera Danese) is having an affair with Patrick Kinsley (David Rasche.) She cannot leave her husband because of a pre nuptial agreement. She is also aware that if her husband loses the case against him he could be left destitute.

Cathleen plans a scheme where her lover Patrick kills Seltzer and frames Clifford for the murder.

When Seltzer is found dead, Columbo investigates. The police forensic examiner happens to be Patrick Kinsley. However he cannot find a cut off cigar butt in the crime scene which he plans to use to frame Clifford Calvert.

There are shades of Double Indemnity and this is one of the better ones in the newer Columbo era. Columbo certainly looks older here, he really should had retired by now. It is also difficult to believe that Patrick would not had found out that Columbo would be a formidable adversary from his colleagues.

It is a fun enough episode, Corbin is good as light relief and Columbo explains at the end how he came to his conclusions.

A trace of senility

[kapelusznik18 · 5/10 · 6 November 2017]

***SPOILERS*** After some 25 years of the job Let. Columbo, Peter Falk, is starting to show signs of losing it where in this "Columbo" episode he's far more nuttier that he usually is. Being put in charge of the Howard "Bubbly" Seltzer, Raye Birk, murder investigation Columbo at first seems confused in how Seltzer allowed his killer into his house by turning off his alarm system and then later, about 10 minutes, press the panic button after he was supposedly shot and killed by him? This was all planned out by his partner Clifford Calvert's, Barry Corbin,wife the icy blond Cathleen,Shera Danese, who together with her lover police forensic expert Patrick Kinsley,David Rasche, planned to frame Clifford for Seltzer's murder.

Columbo picks up a number of clues to who Saltzer's killer's-that left him flat-are that go far beyond the normal police procedures and almost borders on the supernatural. It's Kinsley who slips up not by showing Cloumbo that he together with Cathleen murdered Saltzer but that they in fact knew each other, which they denied, before Saltzer was murdered. Bumbling his way through the investigation Columbo soon convinces Cathleen that her partner in crime Kinsley is going to rat her out in order to save his own neck. This all incredibly has to do in how her husband Clifford cuts his expensive as well as illegal Cuban cigars before he smokes them?

***SPOILERS*** For a crime that's supposed to be perfect it in fact turned out to be the brainless crime of the century with the two master mind criminals, Danese & Kinsley, giving Columbo enough clues as well as rope the hang themselves with. Not that Columbo would have had an easy time to have the two indited in Saltzer's murder by framing Clifford Calvert for it but by having them implicate each other when there was no evidence strong enough to convict them! That only amounted to number of cat hairs and cigar butts.

P.S Columbo had to do a ten minute epilogue, like was done in the end of the movie "Psycho", to explain to the audience as well as cast how he came up with the evidence that both Danese & Kinsley slipped up in letting him know that they were Saltzer's killers. And after he was through with his explaining those in the audience as well as on screen were far more confused then they were before!

A writer's and mystery lover's point of view.

[gbg-1 · 21 February 2001]

Columbo is a unique character who is fun to watch. However, during "A Trace of Murder" the fun was coupled with a great plot. It is my favorite and probably the only one that provided its "fun" content due to the character. As usual, but also surprised many of us with a fresh, brilliant story line. Although I have always enjoyed Columbo, "A Trace of Murder" is the only one that comes to mind in detail when discussing the series with others. Let's have more work of that quality... and soon!

Pretty entertaining.

[punishmentpark · 6/10 · 20 January 2016]

A fun episode, though Shera Danese really displays her lack of talent here to the point of being annoying - it's really hit and miss with her in this series, I suppose. David Rasche did not do too well, either, but, personally, I think he was only perfect to play Sledge Hammer. Or in any case, a comedic part ('Burn after reading'). Though one could argue that Columbo is essentially a murder mystery comedy series nearing the end of its total run. Just look at how Columbo walks away in that funny manner in the end here, for instance. So, in that sense, maybe Rasche's part wasn't all that out of place, either.

The plot, about two lovers conspiring against the female's husband - a good and fun part played by Barry Corbin - by setting him up for a murder one of the lovers commits in his place, is a slightly new and fun twist on what we're used to in this show. All in all, 't was pretty entertaining as usual.

6 out of 10.

The Frame-Up

[AaronCapenBanner · 6/10 · 7 March 2016]

David Rasche stars as a forensics expert named Patrick Kinsley who is romantically involved with Kathleen Calvert, the wife(played by Shera Danese) of a wealthy man named Clifford Calvert(played by Barry Corbin) who is desperate to be rid of him, but can't divorce because of a strict prenuptial agreement that will leave her with no money, so they devise a scheme to murder a man that Clifford is in a lawsuit with, then frame him for the crime, enabling her to inherit the wealth after his presumed murder conviction. Lt Columbo(Peter Falk) has his doubts though, and is shocked to think his colleague may be involved... Good premise, but the casting and tone are a bit off, the climax strangely protracted. Still, reasonably interesting.

Columbo is Getting Old

[dromasca · 6/10 · 30 June 2002]

It used to be one of my preferred series, back thirty years ago. I did not see an episode for ages, and I could not resist the temptation of seeing how he aged. He did age, and the good thing is that he does not try to cover it. Still these are other times, and I guess the audience of these TV shoes is limited to a nostalgic aging population. The low class detective formula building uniquely on the detective charm has little chance to compete in today's high tech and fast pace series world. Don't count on me for the next one, Mr. Falk.