What made Columbo such an unusual TV show, apart from Peter Falk's perfect characterization (rumored to be inspired by Inspector Fichet from the classic French thriller Les Diaboliques), was the fact that the creators chose to shake-up the whodunit formula by placing the emphasis on the how, rather than the who, done it.
Showing the murder at the beginning of every show forced the writers to create interesting killers, to keep the viewers interest peaked throughout; this was accomplished not necessarily by overtly original crimes, although many times the murders were quite ingenious, but rather it was by making the murderers cultured, sophisticated, and stylish; mostly artists and performers.
Murder By The Book
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Steven Bochco
Originally aired September 15th, 1971
Jack Cassidy and Martin Milner are writing partners who, after years of sharing credit for the famous Mrs. Melville murder mystery series, are splitting up. Jack Cassidy will murder Martin Milner in the new cabin he purchased with the ample profits received as a result of their lucrative, but soon defunct partnership. Steven Spielberg precociously directs the smooth and witty veteran actor Jack Cassidy in this clever case of how one writer's most inspired story may be a true crime story.
Columbo's artistic interest: love of literature expressed when Cassidy gives the detective every single book in the Mrs. Melville series.
Etude In Black
Directed by Nick Colasanto
Written by Steven Bochco
Originally aired September 12th, 1972
Nick Colasanto, best known as the character actor who played Coach on the comedy series Cheers, directs legendary independent film maker and actor John Cassavetes, a symphony composer who murders his mistress after she threatens to expose his indiscretion before a powerful arts commission. Stand out episode due mainly to Cassavetes riveting performance. As a side note, Peter Falk starred with Gena Rowlands in Cassavetes' masterpiece A Woman Under The Influence.
Music Appreciation: Columbo shares his love of classical music with Cassavetes; a fact that will reemerge in future episodes; often showing Columbo sitting in his car listening to opera; also, Columbo is continually heard whistling Three Blind Mice, a tune prominently used by composer Joseph Holbrooke in his Symphonic Variations, Opus 37.
Any Old Port In A Storm
Directed by Leo Penn
Written by Stanley Ralph Ross
Originally aired October 7th, 1973
Based on an original story by B-Horror movie legend Larry Cohen (It's Alive, Q), about a wine connoisseur who kills his half-brother for putting their winery in jeopardy with his philandering ways; Donald Pleasance's cocky and quirky performance is simply delightful to behold, and worthy of multiple viewings.
Columbo as culture vulture: proclaiming early on his ignorance of fine wines, confounding Pleasance, Columbo's palate will prove most assured in the resolution of the crime.
Murder Under Glass
Directed by Jonathan Demme
Written by Robert Van Scoyk
Originally aired January 30th, 1978
The dashing, and endlessly entertaining Louis Jourdan stars as a food critic who devises one of the cleverest ways to kill someone, when he's confronted with an insatiable desire to kill a disrespectful chef.
Columbo, the master chef: the finale features Columbo cooking an Italian veal dish for Jourdan; the verdict given by the prickly critic is priceless; suffice it to say, Columbo impresses with his culinary skills.
Just One More Thing
Peter Falk's characterization of Detective Columbo as rumpled, ragged, and decidedly unsophisticated, contrasted nicely with his more debonair sparing partners, but Columbo's curiosity in the murderer's specific craft, would generally pay off with the realization that the detective is disguising a creative soul.
And as often is the case when an actor perfectly captures a character, and thereby captures the public's imagination, Peter Falk would forever be identified with Columbo; and as his character possessed more depth than met the eye, so too Peter Falk was more than simply a character actor, developing into a much respected and admired artist in the intervening years since Columbo.
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