One of my favorite Columbo episodes that starts off pretty fast, and does not really follow the usual Columbo structure. Yes, there is a murder (lots of them, actually), but it is not áll about that. It is apparently based on a book, though I don't if and how much may have been changed. It doesn't matter much anyway.
There's a whole string of wonderful supporting actors and characters in it. Ed Begley Jr. is the overly eager insurance man who has to retrieve four million dollars from an old heist, and Columbo is the one to help. Harrison Page plays his one-time colleague and does a fine job. Then, there's (Peter Falk's wife) Shera Danese again, and she and Columbo look like they had great fun doing these parts (she even reminded me a little of Frances McDormand, before she did 'Fargo'). Tyne Daly returns as well, as the aging hooker - top job. Burt Young's part as the old-timer career criminal is wonderful, too, as is Edward Hibbert's as the devious sidekick to Danese's character.
Then, there's the fun in the little details. The piecing together of the puzzle of course, the use of useless blow-ups for the list of names, all the fuzz about one particular parking meter coin that would usually go into a big bag and would never be seen again I would assume (but perhaps it is all a ruse to trick the beautiful Ms. Endicott...?). To top it all off, Columbo does a little 'Godfather' thing here as well. In the end, of course, the case is cracked and Frank does not care much to see the big money. He's done with it, and wants to take his dog for a walk in the park.
A big 8 out of 10.
There's a whole string of wonderful supporting actors and characters in it. Ed Begley Jr. is the overly eager insurance man who has to retrieve four million dollars from an old heist, and Columbo is the one to help. Harrison Page plays his one-time colleague and does a fine job. Then, there's (Peter Falk's wife) Shera Danese again, and she and Columbo look like they had great fun doing these parts (she even reminded me a little of Frances McDormand, before she did 'Fargo'). Tyne Daly returns as well, as the aging hooker - top job. Burt Young's part as the old-timer career criminal is wonderful, too, as is Edward Hibbert's as the devious sidekick to Danese's character.
Then, there's the fun in the little details. The piecing together of the puzzle of course, the use of useless blow-ups for the list of names, all the fuzz about one particular parking meter coin that would usually go into a big bag and would never be seen again I would assume (but perhaps it is all a ruse to trick the beautiful Ms. Endicott...?). To top it all off, Columbo does a little 'Godfather' thing here as well. In the end, of course, the case is cracked and Frank does not care much to see the big money. He's done with it, and wants to take his dog for a walk in the park.
A big 8 out of 10.