Nicholas Colasanto, best known as Coach on CHEERS, did an excellent job directing this classic Columbo.
Nick was a director for years, and in all type of venues, from comedy to cop shows, and quite successful. He knew his stuff.
Johnny Cash, in a rare acting role, plays Tommy Brown who is a re-born again evangelist singer, blessed with talent and a beset with a horrible marriage of convenience. It turns out he's being blackmailed by his wife (well played by Ida Lupino) to build a multi million dollar chapel. If he backs out of the deal, she'll expose him as having had a relationship with her teen daughter. What a work of art!
What to do? Naturally, Tommy decides to kill her, but quite cleverly, in a plane crash, one in which he is the pilot. He's able to parachute out, but that poses a problem as the parachute figures prominently in the case.
Had it not been for the chute, he may have been able to get away with murder. Short and sweet.
Enter Columbo, who you darn well know, suspects Tommy right off the bat. The curious thing about this episode is Columbo really admires the guy, for his talent and love of life, and in a way, they form a strange friendship. It is a one of a kind story.
Putting the mystery together, one piece at a time, is just plain fun for us Columbo fans. It's an addiction, and Johnny Cash is absolutely fabulous. He sings a Hank Williams song, called I SAW THE LIGHT, which sums up the whole story.
Not to be missed. A real gem.
There's a similar story, which I reviewed, on an early episode of CANNON, called very appropriately, "Country Blues" from season 1, 1971. Again, a parachute is the center of attention. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is played in that one.
10 PLUS Stars for Johnny Cash and Peter Falk.
Nick was a director for years, and in all type of venues, from comedy to cop shows, and quite successful. He knew his stuff.
Johnny Cash, in a rare acting role, plays Tommy Brown who is a re-born again evangelist singer, blessed with talent and a beset with a horrible marriage of convenience. It turns out he's being blackmailed by his wife (well played by Ida Lupino) to build a multi million dollar chapel. If he backs out of the deal, she'll expose him as having had a relationship with her teen daughter. What a work of art!
What to do? Naturally, Tommy decides to kill her, but quite cleverly, in a plane crash, one in which he is the pilot. He's able to parachute out, but that poses a problem as the parachute figures prominently in the case.
Had it not been for the chute, he may have been able to get away with murder. Short and sweet.
Enter Columbo, who you darn well know, suspects Tommy right off the bat. The curious thing about this episode is Columbo really admires the guy, for his talent and love of life, and in a way, they form a strange friendship. It is a one of a kind story.
Putting the mystery together, one piece at a time, is just plain fun for us Columbo fans. It's an addiction, and Johnny Cash is absolutely fabulous. He sings a Hank Williams song, called I SAW THE LIGHT, which sums up the whole story.
Not to be missed. A real gem.
There's a similar story, which I reviewed, on an early episode of CANNON, called very appropriately, "Country Blues" from season 1, 1971. Again, a parachute is the center of attention. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is played in that one.
10 PLUS Stars for Johnny Cash and Peter Falk.