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Special Features
- "Murder is a Parlor Game" from the TV Spinoff "Mrs. Columbo"
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Oh, just one more thing, mystery mavens--get ready to be mystified and entertained by the award-winning third season of Columbo, starring Peter Falk as the rumpled but unbeatable Lieutenant. Having taken home Emmys for outstanding limited drama and lead actor in its '71-'72 debut season, Columbo was again named best drama for its third season ('73-'74). The reason for the repeat success? The formula remained the same: intelligent, engaging scripts and direction, guest performances by top actors, and, of course, Falk at center stage as Columbo, the most unlikely of supersleuths, but unquestionably one of the sharpest (the role would later earn Falk three more Emmys between 1975 and 1990). The 10 episodes compiled in this two-disc set again feature top talent from film and television: directors include veterans Jeannot Swarc and Boris Sagal, as well as actors Nicholas Colasanto (better known as Coach from Cheers) and Ben Gazzara (Falk's frequent co-star in the films of John Cassavetes), while the season's scripts feature contributions from Stephen J. Cannell, Steven Bochco, and Larry Cohen. And in regard to co-stars, Falk matched wits with the likes of Donald Pleasance, Martin Sheen, Vincent Price, Robert Culp (in one of four turns on the series), Jose Ferrer, Ida Lupino, and in two novel but effective casting choices, Johnny Cash and hard-boiled mystery scribe Mickey Spillane. And there's even a bonus feature in the form of an episode of the spinoff series Mrs. Columbo, starring Kate Mulgrew as the Lieutenant's oft-mentioned better half. In short, it's 11 hours of solid sleuthing for armchair detectives. --Paul Gaita
Product Description
In the detective series that inspired them all, acclaimed actor Peter Falk returns in his four-time Emmy-winning role as the wry and ruffled police lieutenant in Columbo Season Three, available on DVD for the first time ever! From the halls of Congress to the halls of academia, this dazzling 2-disc collection includes all 15 TV hours of the classic third season as well as an exciting bonus episode of the TV show Mrs. Columbo. A consistent favorite on the NBC Mystery Movie lineup, this thrilling season of Columbo features such illustrious guest stars as Martin Sheen, Vincent Price, Deidre Hall, Jackie Cooper and many more. You've seen the crime, now catch the murderer with everyone's favorite trenchcoat-wearing sleuth in each entertaining episode from the complete third season!
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
168 of 177 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Each and every one of Columbo seasons are great and have something special but this third one stands as on of my personal favorites because of the plots and guests actors that are featured. LOVELY BUT LETHAL features the great Vera Miles, Martin Sheen and the one and only Vincent Price; ANY OLD PORT IN A STORM features the great Donald Pleasence in an outstanding performance as a wine industry man; CANDIDATE FOR CRIME features Jackie Cooper; DOUBLE EXPOSURE features Robert Culp; PUBLISH OR PERISH features Jack Cassidy and John Chandler; MIND OVER MAYHEM features Jose Ferrer; SWAN SONG, my personal favorite that features the great country legend Johnny Cash and actress Ida Lupino; A FRIEND IN DEED closes this extraordinary third season with the help of actor Richard Kiley.
98 of 106 people found the following review helpful
By M. Olender
Format:DVD
What can be said of Season 3? Let's break it down, shall we?
3.1 Lovely But Lethal
Not my favorite episode, but still features some great moments. And who can deny Vera Miles her beauty, charm, and sophistication? Did you know that Miles was Alfred Hitchcock's first choice to play Madeline in Vertigo?
3.2 Any Old Port In A Storm
This is held by many Columbo fans - including those who frequent the Ultimate Columbo Site - as the all time best Columbo episode ever. While its not my personal favorite, it is within my top 3 and I can easily see why this would get top ranking by some. It is a masterpiece. Falk is absolutely amazing, Donald Pleasence is just as good. And the story makes you want to go out and pick up a bottle of port!
3.3 Candidate For Crime
Ah, Nelson Hayward and his camel hair sports coat. Jackie Cooper makes an excellent Columbo killer, as well as a great politician! He schmoozes everyone, including his wife and girlfriend, like a pro. As usual, Columbo is great in this, and his pestering gets under the skin of Hayward like no one else, pushing Hayward to tell him that he likes Columbo a lot, but that he's a busy man and doesn't have time to fool around. Great moments are when Columbo goes to the shop to get fitted for a coat and later when, during the taping of a political commercial, Columbo absent-mindedly makes too much noise by clanging the victim's watch against an umbrella poll to prove how indestructible it is. Classic!
3.4 Double Exposure
Can you say, double your pleasure? This is definitely one of my top favorite 3 episodes. Robert Culp is back as Doctor Kepple, a highly organized and anal retentive research scientist specializing in cognitive science, and gives a stellar performance. But aside from the top knotch acting and tense character relationships (which includes one of the relatively few times where Columbo comes right out and tells the killer he believes they're guilty of homicide) is the story itself: subliminal cuts, mind games, and beating the killer at his own game make for some intriguing story here. Top knotch all the way. The ending is second to none, perhaps the best one yet. Doctor Kepple is so proud of his abilities, he is almost proud of having gotten caught by his own method! This is a must see episode.
3.5 Publish Or Perish
Jack Cassidy is back! The second victim (who is the first killer) is creepy with a capital "c", but it adds to the nature of his character. Cassidy himself is on fire the whole time, playing a great drunk in one scene and a charming gentleman caller in another. The ending is pretty good, not my favorite, but good.
3.6 Mind Over Mayhem
This isn't my favorite story but the cast boasts of a favorite of mine from my childhood - Robert Walker, the little guy who played the "bad" Hulk twin in the Incredible Hulk TV series. The victim's wife is a knock-out, which isn't a bad deal, either. I do like the killer's method though... very good alliby!
3.7 Swan Song
Ahh, the one and only Johnny Cash, God rest his soul. If there was ever a killer for whom you could feel bad, it is Cash's Tommy Brown. Cash plays music, wears black, and kicks back as a killer who was caught in a corner and gave it to a woman who deserved it! This is one episode I know a lot of people treasure.
3.8 A Friend In Deed
This is perhaps my all time favorite episode. Columbo nabs his boss! It happens to be the first episode I ever saw. Richard Kiley is fantastic as Commissioner Halperin, John Finnegan is top knotch as Lt. Dryer, Michael McGuire is chilling as Hugh Caldwell, and Val Avery is second to none (not even Falk) as Artie Jessup. The characters in this are so well developed, it makes for great TV right there. But the story itself is great and the ending... I can't give it away. He nabs him SO BAD its not even funny! Fantastic! Classic lines: "Are you crazy, I ain't goin' to no roller derby" - Artie Jessup.
Season 3 is worth adding to your collection.
3.1 Lovely But Lethal
Not my favorite episode, but still features some great moments. And who can deny Vera Miles her beauty, charm, and sophistication? Did you know that Miles was Alfred Hitchcock's first choice to play Madeline in Vertigo?
3.2 Any Old Port In A Storm
This is held by many Columbo fans - including those who frequent the Ultimate Columbo Site - as the all time best Columbo episode ever. While its not my personal favorite, it is within my top 3 and I can easily see why this would get top ranking by some. It is a masterpiece. Falk is absolutely amazing, Donald Pleasence is just as good. And the story makes you want to go out and pick up a bottle of port!
3.3 Candidate For Crime
Ah, Nelson Hayward and his camel hair sports coat. Jackie Cooper makes an excellent Columbo killer, as well as a great politician! He schmoozes everyone, including his wife and girlfriend, like a pro. As usual, Columbo is great in this, and his pestering gets under the skin of Hayward like no one else, pushing Hayward to tell him that he likes Columbo a lot, but that he's a busy man and doesn't have time to fool around. Great moments are when Columbo goes to the shop to get fitted for a coat and later when, during the taping of a political commercial, Columbo absent-mindedly makes too much noise by clanging the victim's watch against an umbrella poll to prove how indestructible it is. Classic!
3.4 Double Exposure
Can you say, double your pleasure? This is definitely one of my top favorite 3 episodes. Robert Culp is back as Doctor Kepple, a highly organized and anal retentive research scientist specializing in cognitive science, and gives a stellar performance. But aside from the top knotch acting and tense character relationships (which includes one of the relatively few times where Columbo comes right out and tells the killer he believes they're guilty of homicide) is the story itself: subliminal cuts, mind games, and beating the killer at his own game make for some intriguing story here. Top knotch all the way. The ending is second to none, perhaps the best one yet. Doctor Kepple is so proud of his abilities, he is almost proud of having gotten caught by his own method! This is a must see episode.
3.5 Publish Or Perish
Jack Cassidy is back! The second victim (who is the first killer) is creepy with a capital "c", but it adds to the nature of his character. Cassidy himself is on fire the whole time, playing a great drunk in one scene and a charming gentleman caller in another. The ending is pretty good, not my favorite, but good.
3.6 Mind Over Mayhem
This isn't my favorite story but the cast boasts of a favorite of mine from my childhood - Robert Walker, the little guy who played the "bad" Hulk twin in the Incredible Hulk TV series. The victim's wife is a knock-out, which isn't a bad deal, either. I do like the killer's method though... very good alliby!
3.7 Swan Song
Ahh, the one and only Johnny Cash, God rest his soul. If there was ever a killer for whom you could feel bad, it is Cash's Tommy Brown. Cash plays music, wears black, and kicks back as a killer who was caught in a corner and gave it to a woman who deserved it! This is one episode I know a lot of people treasure.
3.8 A Friend In Deed
This is perhaps my all time favorite episode. Columbo nabs his boss! It happens to be the first episode I ever saw. Richard Kiley is fantastic as Commissioner Halperin, John Finnegan is top knotch as Lt. Dryer, Michael McGuire is chilling as Hugh Caldwell, and Val Avery is second to none (not even Falk) as Artie Jessup. The characters in this are so well developed, it makes for great TV right there. But the story itself is great and the ending... I can't give it away. He nabs him SO BAD its not even funny! Fantastic! Classic lines: "Are you crazy, I ain't goin' to no roller derby" - Artie Jessup.
Season 3 is worth adding to your collection.
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By Nathan Fisk
Format:DVD
The season is great. If you're a Columbo fan or even just a 'mystery' fan I recommend it. The content (Columbo) is fine. It is the quality of the product that is poor.
First off - the packaging. The S1 Columbo episode used a higher gauge cardboard with higher gloss. The S3 set's outer package feels thin and flimsy. It is very obvious that they have cut back in quality. This extends to the plastic hardshell cases that the discs are in. They feel thinner and cheaper. The paper insert is also sort of plain and uninteresting. It really does seem like some super-cheap set that some guy pressed in his basement with generic plastic cases and printouts from Photoshop on an Inkjet.
Sadly, this lack of quality spills over into the actual DVDs. Firstly, these are double sided discs. I'm no fan of this kind of disc. It always seems that the quality of a double sided disc is iffy at best. For this production it definitely hurt because I have had 3 different DVD players balk on 2 different sets (I returned the first set because the disc just would not play).
And - worst of all - the actual mastering of the shows have some definite problems. In almost every episode there are points where the picture quality will go all 'fuzzy' and it looks like they are showing a grimy tape from the 1970s. Then 5 second later the picture snaps clean again. I have no idea what happened here, but it looks like they didn't bother cleaning up some scenes. It happens often enough that it gets distracting and the audio quality rises and falls as well sometimes.
I'm happy to have the shows, but I sure hope Universal cleans house a bit on Season 4. Season 3's quality is (at best) spotty and in some areas is downright poor. Caveat emptor.
First off - the packaging. The S1 Columbo episode used a higher gauge cardboard with higher gloss. The S3 set's outer package feels thin and flimsy. It is very obvious that they have cut back in quality. This extends to the plastic hardshell cases that the discs are in. They feel thinner and cheaper. The paper insert is also sort of plain and uninteresting. It really does seem like some super-cheap set that some guy pressed in his basement with generic plastic cases and printouts from Photoshop on an Inkjet.
Sadly, this lack of quality spills over into the actual DVDs. Firstly, these are double sided discs. I'm no fan of this kind of disc. It always seems that the quality of a double sided disc is iffy at best. For this production it definitely hurt because I have had 3 different DVD players balk on 2 different sets (I returned the first set because the disc just would not play).
And - worst of all - the actual mastering of the shows have some definite problems. In almost every episode there are points where the picture quality will go all 'fuzzy' and it looks like they are showing a grimy tape from the 1970s. Then 5 second later the picture snaps clean again. I have no idea what happened here, but it looks like they didn't bother cleaning up some scenes. It happens often enough that it gets distracting and the audio quality rises and falls as well sometimes.
I'm happy to have the shows, but I sure hope Universal cleans house a bit on Season 4. Season 3's quality is (at best) spotty and in some areas is downright poor. Caveat emptor.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not complete season
Two more movies were listed on the cover...but missing
Replaced with two Mrs Columbo episodes... Why?
Not complete season....disappointed!
Not happy about it
Replaced with two Mrs Columbo episodes... Why?
Not complete season....disappointed!
Not happy about it
Published 11 days ago by ANNETTE BALESTERI
5.0 out of 5 stars
Columbo is Flawless!
In order to fully appreciate Columbo, it helps to be familiar with what is currently available on network television. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Richard Kenyada
2.0 out of 5 stars
complaint
the product is not complete
many episodes are missing
I paid for a complete DVD season and I received only some episodes.
many episodes are missing
I paid for a complete DVD season and I received only some episodes.
Published 1 month ago by Sandra Cassinese
3.0 out of 5 stars
It was decent
While the episodes themselves, story wise, were great..I did have an issue with the quality of the one I bought. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mike Gallion
2.0 out of 5 stars
Columbo is great...the product quality is sub-standard
I purchased the third and fourth season of Columbo. I chose these two because they had some of my favorite episodes. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dennis L. Newton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Columbo
I love watching his movies. I plan to buy all seasons of Columbo. His movies are great to watch him sovle.
Published 2 months ago by Judy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lounge Chair Detective
After purchasing this collectors set for my father, I felt obliged to watch them all for myself. Music from Mancini, legendary cast, and well written plots. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Cougar6
5.0 out of 5 stars
Columbo and his dirty over coat
Columbo is one of my favorite actors. His dirty over coat and his, "Just one more thing" are always the best!!
Published 2 months ago by Betty Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great show
I love detective shows and Columbo is a great character. Not sure whether I prefer Monk or Coumbo. The disc are also good quality. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ravi
1.0 out of 5 stars
I love Columbo, But the DVDs are terrible!
I love Columbo, but I hate when DVD companies cheaply make DVD sets and do nothing about it.I bought my first copy and Candidate for Crime froze and was unwatchable. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Morse
