Customer Reviews

Columbo - The Complete First Season

5 star:		(116)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have never been a huge fan of murder mysteries, either in book, TV or movie form. I either figure them out too soon or in the cases where I don't, the resolution tends to be a severe let down. Its not that I'm some sort of amateur genius detective or anything, I just have a very good memory and tend to keep certain aspects of the mystery catalogued as I watch and figure them out based on that minor skill. Columbo, however, is a murder mystery show of a different animal. Quite frankly, no show of its type has been more original in presentation, format or style before or after its initial launch in the 60's.

The reason for this bold claim? Peter Falk and the innovative idea to reveal the murderer at the start of the tale. The enjoyment, and I'm sure many of you have heard this time and time again, in watching a Columbo episode is; a. the interaction between Columbo and the suspect; b. the personal mannerisms of the Columbo character; c. following Columbo as he uncovers every facet of the crime committed and pieces them together and; d. the satisfaction of being in on the moment when the killer is exposed. Instead of being surprised like the killer is, you get the satisfaction of being a silent partner with Columbo as he brings the culprit to justice.

Few shows are based in total reality, and indeed, this show harkens back to a time when people weren't as savvy about every detail of crime solving as they are now what with constant airings of documentaries on A&E such as Cold Case Files and drama based modern shows like CSI on CBS. But what helps Columbo stand the test of time ultimately is the performance of Peter Falk in the role of Columbo and a sense of relief in not having to constantly try and figure out who the killer is throughout the episode. Below is a short synopsis of the episodes and original movies that will be included on this 5 disc set:

Prescription: Murder (1968)

Gene Barry plays a cheating doctor out to get rid of the main obstacle standing in the way of him and his young, pretty actress girlfriend. This first movie introduces the audience to the typical type of villain Columbo will face in future episodes; rich, famous and well connected politically...and sometimes all three.

Note: This episode is especially interesting to watch due to the fact that the Columbo character had yet to be fully fleshed out by Peter Falk. He is seen being rather harsh in this episode and would only rarely show this type of rage again in any other episode. He toned down the character and made him much more laid back later on.

Ransom for a Dead Man (1971)

A lawyer (Lee Grant) kills her husband for the insurance money and makes the whole thing look like a kidnapping. It never hurt the Columbo series that most of the guest stars were actors or actresses every bit as talented as Peter Falk himself, something Murder She Wrote could rarely claim.

Murder by the Book (1971)

Jack Cassidy in one of a number of memorable turns on the show plays one half of a successful writing team...the untalented half. When his partner makes it known his intentions to break up the team, Jack Cassidy's character makes sure he regrets that decision.

Note: Jack Cassidy is the father of Shawn and David Cassidy. This episode is directed by a very young Steven Spielberg whose other early TV directing gig was an episode of Night Gallery.

Death Lends a Hand (1971)

Robert Culp guests as the owner of a powerful detective agency who murders a client's wife. One of my favorite episodes of them all, and includes some of the earliest tidbits of information regarding Columbos past.

Dead Weight (1971)

Eddie Albert plays a retired military officer bent on keeping his corruption a secret, even if it requires murdering a subordinate. The only problem? Helen Stewart (Suzanne Pleshette) sees the whole thing from a row boat on the water. The only obstacle she has is proving to the police and her own mother that she isn't batty and just seeing things. Of course, Columbo believes her, which is strangely fitting since the police on the scene feel he's just as batty as she is!

Suitable for Framing (1971)

Ross Martin kills his uncle for a valuable art collection and tries to pin the whole thing on said uncle's first wife. Overall, the only weak link in an otherwise stellar first season in my opinion but a good episode regardless. And be sure to look out for Don Ameche in a guest starring role.

Note: Ross Martin was the one time acting teacher to Peter Falk.

Lady in Waiting (1971)

Susan Clark plays a woman who kills her brother in order to take over the family company. She attempts to make it seem like a case of mistaken identity thinking he is an intruder. Leslie Nielsen guest stars as her non-bumbling boyfriend.

Note: This episode was written by Steven Bochco who later gave us stunning television such as Cop Rock. ;)

Short Fuse (1972)

Roddy McDowall guest stars as a brilliant scientist whose uncle wants to force out of the family chemical company. Something tells us that the uncle won't make it very far in the episode with that sort of attitude! Cigars play a crucial role in uncovering the nephew's guilt. Something I'm sure Columbo relishes in the end.

Blueprint For Murder (1972)

Forrest Tucker makes a brief but memorable turn as an obnoxious Texas developer who gets the short end of the jerky stick when his architect murders him to keep a proposed building project from being axed. Probably my second favorite episode from the first season and it ends up being the toughest case so far for Columbo to break.

So there you have it. An outstanding start to an outstanding series. I have heard grumblings from other reviewers regarding the lack of extras, but as for me, I'm just glad they are finally being released. This is the first and probably last review I will write for a television program, but Columbo deserves my attention and will hopefully earn yours as well. Forget the A-Team DVD set and plunk down your hard earned cash on this one instead, you won't regret it!

Peter Falk's Columbo ranks as one of the greatest TV detective characters ever created. His ability to capture the kirky Los Angeles Lieutenant has captivated decades of viewers and is sure to also capture younger fans with this long-awaited DVD release.

Created by Richard Levinson and William Link, the series debuted in 1971 with "Murder by the Book," which was actually the third appearance of Falk's Columbo (there had been two previous two-hour NBC World Premiere Movies prior to the series launch.) Interestingly, "Murder by the Book" was directed by a then unknown talent: Steven Spielberg.

Columbo was unique in so many ways, the first was that the viewer learned the killer's identity in the first few minutes of every episode. Up until then, detective shows and mysteries had tried to keep the audience guessing "Who Done It?" until the very final scene. Levinson and Link turned that formula upside down, letting viewers in on the intracacies of the crime from the killer's viewpoint, their motivation, and what they did to cover their tracks to avoid discovery.

Often, Columbo was not even introduced until 20 minutes or more into the episodes (which ran a network 90 minutes with commercials instead of the usual 60 minutes for dramas.)

However, as soon as the audience caught a glimpse of the short, rumpled, cigar-smoking detective with the tan rain coat, they knew that they were watching something really special. Columbo feigned a scatter-brained approach, but it was soon obvious to viewers and the episode's killer that beneath his step-and-fetch-it manner lay the cooly brilliant mind of a master detective. And, it was the cat-and-mouse interplay and dialog between Columbo and the criminal that was at the heart of this brilliant series.

Smartly written and tightly crafted, the dramatic tension was created as Columbo slowly chipped away the layers of subterfuge left by the killer to reveal the mechanics of the crime and the killer.

Throughout the series, which spanned three decades after several relaunches as specials, Falk's black hair turned gray, but he wore the exact same rain coat while pursuing some of the best actors and actresses on TV or in the movies who portrayed various extremes of melevolent killers. A virtual "who's who" of the acting profession did a turn on Columbo.

To say that Columbo affected the TV mystery genre is to give it far too little credit: it changed it forever and produced a detective from which his alter ego, the vastly talented Falk, will also never be able to escape.

Let's hope the studio takes a clue from Colombo and quickly releases the rest of these outstanding episodes!

It's great to see Lt. Columbo is finally going to make it on DVD! For those familiar with the cigar-smoking detective in the rumpled raincoat only through the specials produced in the 90s, the originial 1970s episodes show Columbo in his prime.

Most people are familiar with the Columbo formula: guest star plots murder; guest star kills victim (a series trademark - we know all along who the killer is); Columbo appears on scene; Columbo investigates - "Ahh, just one more thing, maam/sir"; just as it looks like guest star will get away with it, Columbo discovers piece of evidence that seals the case; Columbo nails guest star with evidence; guest star is led away to jail. A formula, yes, but a formula that worked incredibly well for over 40 episodes in its original run.

The first season contains two of my favorites: "Death Lends a Hand" - Robert Culp plays a private investigator who kills a client's wife, then is hired by the unknowing client to help Columbo with the investigation; and "Suitable for Framing" - an art critic murders his uncle in order to obtain two priceless paintings...this episode has one of the best endings in the series. For the possible exception of "Lady in Waiting", the other five episodes from the first season are also very strong.
And while details of the DVD haven't been released yet, I only hope this will also include the two rarely seen T.V. movies, "Prescription Murder" and "Ransom For a Dead Man", that introduced Lt. Columbo before it was decided to include the character in a rotation of Sunday night detective series on NBC.

These are a must for fans of detective dramas. Thanks, Universal, for finally releasing these!

I love it when he says that, because it is always followed up by some miscalculation by the 'killer'. Well, I got into this show 'a bit late', like about 6 months ago...? I'm in my mid thirty's which is young enough to watch current programming but old enough to know current programming is, in general, unwatchable. So, what do we do? We reach back. This show happens to be on a current 'public-esque' TV channel and since I don't have cable, I take what I can get. Understand, I don't live by the mantra "what's old is good", because there are plenty of shows I actually used to watch that just didn't age well; Land of the Lost (**.5) and the A-Team (**.5) come to mind.

Enter Columbo.

The Price*****: I'll admit it... I was standing in the store saying to myself, roughly forty dollars is a lot to spend on 7 episodes, and 2 mini movies/pilots. The minutes weren't really an issue but '7' seems a bit low when compared to other shows that have generally 24 eps. Well, having just viewed ONLY the Pilot: Prescription Murder, I feel as though I picked Universals pocket. This one ep. to me is worth what I paid for the set, heck it's better than most movies I own. Peter Falk hits the ground running, and even though the ep. does lag in places it is a truly remarkable piece of TV history.

Format*****: The format of the show is intriguing. Each episode is 1.5 hours as opposed to 1 hour. The first 1/2 hour is generally dedicated to the `set-up` (guest stars), but this is crucial b/c not only is it quite a long time without Peter Faulk/Columbo, but it shows each show can stand up alone without the VERY worthy Peter Falk propping it up. Sure there are some clunkers, but not many I've seen. Anyway, once the murder is committed you really feel attached to the story because you've lived with these characters outside of the murder for awhile (well, 20-30 minutes)... anyway, Columbo gets there and starts making observations that doesn't exactly jibe with what was said, and slowly the screw turns... "See..., that's what I don't understand..." An `awe-shucks' Columbo says scratching his head, "I thought you said..." and from there the screws turn... tighter.

Sound**: Why don't they take the time to go 5.1DD? I'm not going to rebuy this whole season in a few years like Star Trek. Thoughtful dialogue and characters do not NEED 5.1DD to be enjoyable so there is no reason to rebuy it, but why not just raise the price of the set somewhat to give us it right out of the gate? The actual soundtrack is often brillant, however.

Transfer***.5: Seems clear and clean. No complaints on a technical level, though I have only viewed the pilot.

Packaging*****: The boxart is perfect. The strip of trench coat at the top is genius! Plus, when you open it, you are greeted with a great sense of Columbo; his dialogue. I do wish all the photos taken would have been Season One exclusively but I guess they went with variety. Some Mr. Falk is easily 10-15 years older. But the quality of the art is fantastic, maybe a disc or two could have had pics of the car to break up the concept of needing multiple aging pics?


Conclusion*****: While I sit on the fence and wonder whether Baretta or SWAT are worth my time (VERY vague memories of these also), I can rest assured that they just might be worth it. It is possible for shows 'you weren't quite old enough' to watch to be treasures. Funny, if Columbo wasn't currently on TV I may have sat on the fence and 'wondered' about this release too. Columbo simply captures everything I view television for; great writing, great characters (starring and guest starring <--which is rare), and geniune feeling. Somehow in my brain I know the show is 'scripted' and yet Columbo has such a great aire about him, you'd swear even if there wasn't a script, these very words would still roll out of his mouth. TV shows like Columbo are almost a mixed bag in a sense for DVD release because while they stand the test of time they at the same time make current televison a living, screaming, nightmare by comparison.

Oh yea, I almost forgot... My Wife Really Loves This DVD Set:)

I do not want to waste anyone's time. Read the review before mine for an editorial. I was hesitant to buy this because I was unsure of how the transfer was, and that is why I am writing this review. I took a chance and I can tell you, they are great. It is crystal clear. Audio is also great. I thought I had seen every episode, but I guess I was wrong. It is great to watch these again, and I highly recommend them.

Universal has done the same thing to Columbo that they did to The Night Gallery series-no interviews,no documentaries and no remastering of the print. This is not good enough.
If other studios can remaster everything from Star Trek to such average fare as Wonder Woman and The Dukes Of Hazzard,then Universal should have remastered the classic Columbo dramas and given us a new print of the series.
It would be so nice to have an interview with Peter Falk and have him tell us about his movie career and his 30 year association with Columbo,which is one of the longest acting experiences in media history. Peter filmed his first Columbo in 1972 and his latest in 2003. Quite an effort and it would have been great to hear some stories,but fans get nothing.
It would also be nice to see an interview with actor Patrick McGoogan and to hear how he got involved with acting and then writing,directing and producing some Columbo tele-movies,but again fans get left with nothing.
Altough the print of Columbo will be an acceptable standard comparable with video tapes,with such new technology as plasma and high definition television,viewers deserve better these days.
Other studios recognise this and Universal needs to wake up and join the new century. Perhaps when Vol 2 gets released,they might recognise this and give us a remastered set with some interviews.

So what if they're no extras!!! Fans of Peter Falk's one-of-a-kind supersleuth should be pleased with this release of the landmark first episodes of this thirty-year television institution.

One can delight in "Prescription for Murder," the NBC TV-movie from the late 60's that introduced the world to the Italian-American gumshoe. Columbo was a bit abrasive in this first time out and he wasn't wearing his trademark, disheveled raincoat, but he still showed the deductive savvy that would endure throughout the series. The episode succeeds with great acting from Falk, Gene Barry, Justice, and acting luminary Nina Foch.

Also, a jazzy Dave Grusin score helps move things along quite nicely.

By the time of the second TV-movie, "Ransom for a Dead Man," the character was dressed appropriately and was spouting that annoying, "One more thing..." that would become a show staple of the detective. It is appropriate that Lee Grant, one of the industry's trailblazers for women in film, would be cast as a crafty lawyer that kills her husband but must contend with the wily Columbo.

It wasn't until the Steven Spielberg-directed first episode ("Murder by the Book") of the series that viewers would find the Columbo that would be around for the next, and counting, three decades.

"Death Lends a Hand" features Robert Culp who would appear in three more Columbo's. It also has a unique camera trick involving Culp's character's glasses.

"Lady in Waiting" has Susan Clark and Richard Anderson as dysfunctional siblings with the former deciding that it's better to be an only child! The episode also stars Leslie Nielsen during his dramatic, second-tier leading man-days.

There are numerous pleasures in the remaining episodes, many of them featuring the brilliant scoring of Billy Goldenberg, a Universal Studios landmark.

Though extras would be nice, the wonders of Falk and company are enough to satisfy fans of a good who-dunit!

Since there are 9 movies, this review will feature brief thoughts on each one and each will have it's own rating:

1. PRESCRIPTION: MURDER *****
Doctor Ray Fleming has a problem: he is having an affair with a young woman-Joan Hudson. His wife(played by Nina Foch)suspects that he is doing more than just "treating a patient" when he gets a call from her and walks out in the middle of thier anisversery party. 6 months ago she gave him a choice: End this affair or face divorce. This presents the doctor with a problem-he stands to lose a lot of money if she divorces him. Solution? Murder her! A murder six months in the making, with the help of his mistress-they carry out the plot. The doctor has yet another problem: Lt. Columbo is on the case-he knows the doctor is guilty and to prove it-he sets up a very clever trap for the doctor-with the help of....you guessed it-Ms. Hudson. The best of the two pilot movies.

2. RANSOM FOR A DEAD MAN ***1/2
Lee Grant plays a lawyer who murders her husband and then manufactures a kidnapping. This woman is very smart! She pays the ransom of $300.000 from money from various stocks and trust accounts. She eventualy gets the money herself and hides it. There is only one problem: Part of the ransom was paid from her stepdaughter's trust account! With her help, Columbo sets up a trap to prove her guilt.

3. MURDER BY THE BOOK ***
This episode is noted for one of Steven Spieldberg's early directoral efforts. And overall, he did a good job. However, the director can only do much with a so-so script. This is the weakest of the first season-but Jack Cassidy and Martin Milner carry things along nicely. James Ferris and Ken Franklin(Milner and Cassidy)are part of a writing team of the Mrs Melville mystery novels. They both become rich-but Ferris wants to write on his own. What the american public doesn't know is that Ferris does all the writing and Franklin does the publicly. The break up would expose the truth and Franklin stands to lose alot. He plots the "Perfect murder" However, He is blackmailed by a witness and Lt. Columbo uncovers a clue that spoils his "Perfect Murder" It just seems that this clue was written in at the last minute-which weakens it. Still entertaining however.

4. DEATH LENDS A HAND****
Ray Miland plays Arthur Kenicut-a Hearst like publisher who hires a Private detective Brimmer(Robert Culp) to determine whether or not his wife is having an affair. She has been-but Brimmer falistfies the report. Her lover is none other than Brimmer himself. Now, he tries to blackmail her into being a pipeline of information-her husband has a lot of politcal connections. But She refuses to be blackmailed and threatens to tell her husband the truth about thier affair. In a fit of rage, he knocks her down and kills her. Out of fear, he covers up the accident. Lt. Columbo is on the case however and he sets up a trap for brimmer using of all things-a pair of Contact lenses!!! This episode is noted for being one of the few episodes where the murder was an accident-not premedicated.

5. DEAD WEIGHT *****
Eddie Albert plays General Hollister-a retired marine. Col. Dutton pays the general a visit. He tells him that the marine corps is opening a full scale investagation into arms contracts. The general's contruction company overcharged the government. The Col tells Hollister that he is leaving. Instead of risking exposure, Hollister Picks up a gun and kills Col Dutton. Unfourtanitly, Mrs. Stewart(Suzzane Pleshette)is in a sail boat with her mother and she wittnesses a shooting in the house across the marina. Her report is considered a crackpot report until Col. Dutton's body is found. Lt. Columbo is on the case. THe general's tremendous beleif in himself will give him away.

6. Suitable for framing *****
Dale Kingston(Ross Martin)is obsessed with his uncle's paint collection. So much so, he kills him in cold blood. With the help of his accomplce, they frame his Aunt for the crime. But Lt. Columbo is on the case and he is not taken in by his flamboyant personalty. To prove his guilt, Lt. Columbo sets up a trap using fingerprints. I just love the look on Mr. Kingston's face when he realizes that he is trapped! As a side note: Ross Martin was the one time acting teacher of Peter Falk.

7. LADY IN WAITING ****1/2
Susan Clark plays Beth Chadwick who is in love with the family's company's lawyer Peter Hamiltion(Leslie Nielsen)But her Brother Bryce objects to the relationship. Now beth feels that she's been controlled all her life-first by her father, now by her brother. Bryce informs Beth that he has written a letter to Peter-quit seeing beth or face being fired as the company's lawyer. Beth has had enough! She plots the murder of her brother. She kills him and make it look like an accident. In fact The jury of the inquest rules it an accident. But with Lt Columbo on the case-he's not buying it-He believes it was premedicated. Her irractional behaviouer and the answer to a crucial question that only Peter knows the answer to-proves her guilt.

8. SHORT FUSE ****1/2
Roddy McDowall plays Roger Stanford-a sceientst who works for Stanford chemicals-a family owned company. He is very upset with his uncle's decision to sell the company. Now he is called into his office for a meeting. He tries to blackmail Roger into leaving the company or else he will release damaging information about roger to the public. Rather than submit to blackmail, Roger kills his uncle by planting cigars that is rigged with a bomb. However, Lt. Columbo is on the case and he knows Roger is Guilty and to prove it-he takes Roger for a ride in a place where he can't run away-it is there that Columbo comfronts Roger.

9. Blueprint for muder *****
Beau Williamson(Forrest Tucker)is very upset. He is seen driving through town real fast. He goes to Elliot Markham's office to confront him. Without His knowlage or approval, Mr. Markham is building "Williamson City" A community that includes schools and hospitals and so on. But Beau objects and confronts Markham at the contruction site. When Beau gets into his car, Markham is hiding. He is forced at gunpoint to go into a nearby stable-a shot is heard. Lt. Columbo is on the case and he suspects Markham is guilty-but has a hard time proving it. It proves to be Columbo's toughest case of the first season. However, when Markham is caught trying to hide the body-in a place that has been already searched-his guilt is finally proven.

So there you have it-the first season. Peter falk was born to play Columbo. Loaded with Geust stars of the finest of Hollywood-this is what makes Columbo a special show-now we await the second season!

Just one more thing, ma'am....Where can I get a pair of those shoes for about $20? Here he is - Lt. Columbo. Raincoat, cigar, hand on head, and the best Detective in TV history! After waiting it seems a lifetime, they have released the first season of "Columbo" on DVD. Here are the great episodes that launched a legend. My favorite first season episodes on this set would have to be the pilot "Prescription: Murder", Jack Cassidy as the smooth talking mystery writer in "Murder By the Book", Roddy McDowall as the rotten nephew bomber in "Short Fuse" and Patrick O'Neal in "Blueprint for Murder".

Also, you get to see the early work of one of the greatest TV writers and a future movie genius - Stephen Bochco and Stephen Spielberg.

I am eagerly awaiting future seasons of this wonderful series being available on DVD! If you are a fan of the lovable Lt. Columbo, this is the DVD set to have.

As a long time Columbophile, I was delighted when the first season (plus the two preproduction shows) was finally released on DVD. This is still the most intelligent detective show ever made, and Peter Falk is perfect for the role. This set includes 11 episodes, all of which are good, but some of which are the best of the series, with great guest stars like Robert Culp, Ray Milland, Eddie Albert, Suzanne Pleshette, Leslie Neilsen, and Roddy McDowall. One episode ("Murder by the Book") is even directed by a very young Steven Spielberg.

Of the bunch, I particularly enjoyed "Short Fuse," "Lady in Waiting," "Ransom for a Dead Man," and Suitable for Framing." Some actors who make guest appearances don't get the credit they deserve (like the excellent supporting performance in "Short Fuse" by William Windom, best known for his portrayal of a deranged starship Captain in "The Doomsday Machine" from the original "Star Trek" series.) Others, like Don Ameche in "Suitable for Framing" gets a guest starring nod despite the fact that he is killed by Ross Martin in the first thirty seconds of the episode.

Of course the genius behind the series is the concept that most in the industry thought would not work: show the murder in the beginning and then watch how Columbo solves the case, instead of the tried and true television plot device of showing the result of the crime and making the audience wonder who did it until the end of the show. This sounds like it would be boring, but it is more cerebral because the viewers already know exactly how the crime was committed. This alone makes "Columbo" a masterstroke for intelligent television.

Many reviewers have noted the lack of extras in this set. While that is correct, there are none, it makes no real difference to me: I would have enjoyed outtakes, commentary, etc., but the show stands on its own without any other requirements. This is a great set and I can't wait for the second season.