This episode aired February 1, 1976.
The footage of his old bullfighting days that Luis Montoya screens is from the 1943 movie Santa in which a young Ricardo Montalban plays a bullfighter.
Montalban had fond memories of this guest appearance: “The contrast worked very well. He was the fumbling, bumbling guy who was, as we all know, really very bright. And the character I played had a certain amount of stature and tradition. You pit one against the other and it makes for very interesting casting. I loved it. I have very fond memories of that show. I did so many guest shots. Very few of them stand out. That one stands out.”
This is the second episode in which eagle-eyed viewers can catch the name “Frank” on Columbo’s I.D. This was a decision on the part of the show’s art department that was never considered canon by either Falk or the show’s creators.
My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order….
Khaaaan! Or Mr. Rourke.
Montoya seems like a nice boss despite his ominous black outfit.
Why is Curro picking up and waving that red flag at the bull in his drug-addled state?
Great segue from the charging bull to Columbo rear-ending the car.
That poor man complaining of a broken neck. Columbo can’t believe it.
This is one of my favorite Columbo intros.
Columbo is stranded – and lassoed into tagging along on this investigation because everyone has heard of his success on that cruise ship! Another rare instance where we call back to a previous episode.
8k for a bull would be about 45 grand today.
Columbo is suspicious the loyal employee Curro would destroy valuable property, aka the bull.
“So inquisitive. I find him amusing.” Uh, give it a few hours.
The background noise in this cafeteria scene is surprisingly loud and intrusive.
Wow. The car Nina Montoya drives up in is a beauty. Can anyone identify?
Montoya is perhaps one of the most fashionable of Columbo killers.
A fun scene of Columbo panicked by the baby bull.
Columbo doesn’t like mezcal. Yet another thing we have in common.
“My name is Miguel Hernandez. Very well known. Even to the bulls.” Great line.
Aha! The needle mark on the body.
The Mystery of the Missing Lance!
I love the fact Columbo is reading “The Art of Bullfighting”. Wonder if the information will come in handy in future investigations.
“Learning anything?”
“Oh I have to learn something as I didn’t know anything to start with.”
Great exchange.
Columbo has a crazy notion, but he doesn’t think anyone is going to believe him.
Putting it together….tranquilizers…the air gun…the hypodermic darts…
Why would Curro claim he wanted to work on the books if he finished them three days ago? And why wasn’t Montoya suspicious?
“I must ask you to leave my house and not return.” He doesn’t find Columbo so amusing anymore.
He loses his nerve in the ring. But so what?
What are they arresting him for? Cowardice? Is that a chargeable offense in Mexico?
I’m not buying this ending.
This episode was not as offensive as I imagined it would be but still a weak outing by Columbo standards. I did love Columbo’s introduction and the humorous beats as well as Columbo’s relationship with local cop Sanchez. I thought Montoya an excellent villain as well, but the investigation itself felt pretty clunky, culminating in a Gotcha! moment more confusing than convincing.
Here is my revised episode rankings: 1. Forgotten Lady, 2. Negative Reaction, 3. Any Old Port in a Storm, 4. Double Exposure, 5. A Friend In Deed, 6. Double Shock, 7. A Stitch in Crime, 8. Death Lends a Hand, 9. Suitable for Framing, 10. Publish or Perish, 11. Dagger of the Mind, 12. Requiem for a Falling Star, 13. Prescription: Murder, 14. Murder by the Book/Ransom for a Dead Man (tie), 15. By Dawn’s Early Light, 16. Swan Song, 17. Troubled Waters, 18. Lady in Waiting, 19. An Exercise in Fatality, 20. Etude in Black, 21. Playback, 22. The Most Crucial Game, 23. Blueprint for Murder, 24. Lovely But Lethal, 25. A Deadly State of Mind, 26. The Most Dangerous Match, 27. The Greenhouse Jungle 28. Identity Crisis, 29. Dead Weight, 30. Short Fuse, 31. A Matter of Honor, 32. A Case of Immunity, 33. Candidate for Crime, 34. Mind Over Mayhem.
And now it’s time to ask ourselves whether Columbo has enough evidence for a GUILTY verdict or is the masterful Montoya looking at an ACQUITTAL? This one is interesting. I don’t think there’s enough to prove motive but there is a fair amount of circumstantial evidence. But is it enough? In the end, I would say no and would go with ACQUITTAL.
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Good comments!
I laughed at the learning line, too.
Columbo’s reading about bull fighting is admirable. I always respect someone for admitting a lack of expertise. Especially, when the person is brilliant in other areas.
I’m not a fan of bull fighting but it was nice seeing a vacationing Columbo.
Good seeing Ricardo and Martinez (he was just a kid), too.
This will be further down the list but only because of the bull fighting angle.
Great cast, beautiful scenery and a little humor to break the tension.
So sorry that I’ve fallen behind in my comments. I have been very, very distracted. My sister is here, David had a procedure today (had to prep over the weekend – so you get the idea of what the procedure was 😉 ), lots of appointments and a couple contractors, our friends were in a bad accident (they are on the mend, fortunately), trying to empty out closets and eliminate excess and clutter, and lots more. Needless to say, when I sit down to watch a show, I fall fast asleep. The last few episodes I know well enough, and they all fall middle of the road for me.
Out of the last batch, however, I think this one is my favorite. Why? Probably because of A. Martinez, who I’ve always had a soft spot for after seeing him in The Cowboys (love that movie!). Biggest drawback for me is the bullfighting theme – it’s such a barbaric sport. And the car? 1930s, but I’ll have to cheat on the make… looks it up …1931 Cadillac series 355 convertible, or so the interwebs tell me.
That’s the best I can do tonight.
das
Wishing David a speedy recovery!
Thank you, Joe! He’s fine…it was just a colonoscopy and endoscopy…nothing obvious found, thank goodness, but still waiting on labs. The worst part for David was the prep. 😉 He deals with heartburn and a few other issues, but so does his mom and she’s had every test you can think of over the years and they’ve all come back negative.
We’ve been very busy today, too…Ant-Man came, so did the nurse and occupational therapist for mom, tackled some ongoing paperwork (it’s ALWAYS paperwork!), and then off to go grocery shopping, all before 3 pm. THEN I took a nap! 😀 But, alas, no tv…just too much going one right now (it’s midnight, and I’m sitting here, paying bills 😛 ).
But I wanted to let you know I’m still hanging around, and also wondering about your mum, and hoping she’s doing well. Mine is a bit loopy lately, but physically doing well. Take care!
das
Well glad to have you back on a regular basis, Das.