This episode first aired March 12, 2001
Although production on this episode was completed in 1998, it didn’t air until three years later.
The ratings for this episode were strong and convinced ABC to order another – which would prove the show’s last.
Falk wanted McGoohan for the role of Findlay Crawford but McGoohan argued the network would likely balk at him playing another murder so closely on the heels of “Ashes to Ashes”. Jeremy Irons was then approached, but his asking price was too high.
Jeff Cava, an assistant editor at Universal, submitted the script for what would become this episode on spec. Episode director Patrick McGoohan would rewrite it, trimming scenes (and, purportedly, clever clues), adding others (like the corny segment where Columbo is trying to guess the movies by their themes and the 7 minute slow-drive home sequence). The writing credit for this episode had to go to arbitration and Cava was upset with the way he and his work had been treated.
Billy Connolly’s character, Findlay Crawford, was named after Connolly’s own standup routine in which he pokes fun at wealthy people whose last names are also first names.
Connolly, who battled alcohol addiction, was apparently so drunk during one scene that he could barely say his lines. McGoohan, himself a recovering alcoholic, gave him a firm talking-to.
Anne McGoohan, who plays the character of Marcia, is Patrick McGoohan’s daughter.
My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order…
Great fakeout with the opening sequence.
Monolith Studios! lol
No pop from the champagne. Suspicious.
Next to blackmailing someone, drinking champagne is the surest path to getting killed on Columbo.
Would simply recommending the kid be less of a hassle than murdering him?
“A tragedy. So young. So talented.”
A pretty well-calculated murder.
Columbo going with the grey again.
“Just before the wham, ma’am, what happened?
Aha! The victim never screamed while falling off the roof.
Columbo is awfully close to the edge. Isn’t he afraid of heights? Or did that go away? Surely the meticulous Falk would have remembered.
“Have a drink. It’s a good time to be drinking.” Special occasions, like police interrogations.
“Is it okay if I smoke a small cigar?” Oh, well, only if it’s a small one.
This Clementine sing-a-long is mighty lame. No doubt a McGoohan addition.
He drives better with a few cocktails under his belt!
Is it advisable to play a lullaby while you’re trying to slow drive home drunk?
This slow drive home sequence is interminable. What was McGoohan thinking?
Columbo break and enters into the dead man’s apartment and then fails to notice the one sleeping in the bedroom? Come on.
Oof. This whole sequence of trying to guess the movie is awful. Columbo comes across as an absolute simpleton and the musicians shouting out the answers in unison is absolutely embarrassing.
Nathaniel is played by actor Obi Ndefo who guest-starred in Stargate SG-1’s “The Warrior”. A wonderful actor whose life was marred by tragedy and died away too young.
I agree with the producer re: the music. “Thick pea soup” indeed.
Columbo lays out a very convincing case for how the murder transpired – but a much less convincing case against Findlay.
Love the fact that the fans ask and get an autograph as he is being led away to jail.
And of course we have to end on a rendition of This Old Man.
One of the lesser episodes, mostly marred by McGoohan’s clunky choices, both as a writer and a director. I thought Billy Connolly pretty good as a clearly outmatched murderer, but all of the supporting performances unmemorable with the exception of Richard Riehle’s Sgt. Degarmo. Overall, I didn’t hate it – but I suspect that may be because I’ve been worn down by the likes of “No Time to Die” and “Undercover”.
This Friday, we conclude our Columbo rewatch with the show’s 99th episode: “Columbo Likes the Nightlife”.
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typo alert: “The writing credit for this episode had to go to arbitration and Cava was with the way he and his work had been treated.”( Angry? Upset?)
Upset!
Good review! I agree about this being one of the lesser episodes.
Even drunk, Connelly did a decent job. I suppose that could have been because of editing?
The sing a longs were odd but I did like hearing how a musical score could enhance a movie scene.
I don’t have many notes on this one. The next one is better (I thought).