Columbo (TV Series) Suitable for Framing (1971) User Reviews

One of my Faves

[tagehri · 8/10 · 12 September 2005]

One of my favorite Columbo movies for many, many reasons--a well-executed crime with seemingly no trail to follow, an exasperated suspect, and one of the best of all "Columboisms" you'll find in the series.

Columbo's criminals usually follow a pattern in doing themselves in. Sometimes its the smallest details forgotten in the commission of the crime, other times their undoing comes in covering their tracks later. Suitable for Framing follows the latter mold of Columbo's.

The Wild, Wild West's Ross Martin is an art critic who kills his uncle to frame his aunt following a change in his uncle's will disinheriting him. Martin leaves only just enough clues to arouse Columbo's suspicions, but not enough to slam the door shut.

Martin plays the exasperated criminal perfectly, becoming increasingly frustrated with Columbo's failure to take the bait on the frame-up until finally he overplays his hand, resulting in his undoing in one of the better closing scenes you'll see.

Most importantly is this movie's Columboism--Columbo falls asleep in the Martin's apartment after Martin graciously allows him to search it for evidence of the crime.

Yet Another Classic

[stubbers · 9/10 · 2 March 2010]

The murder in "Suitable For Framing" must be one of the earliest to occur in all the Columbo films. No lengthy build-ups here, just a short burst of piano music interrupted within seconds by a gunshot. I always remember this episode and its startling introduction from years ago, and it's probably the one I've seen most of all.

Dale Kingston is a tremendous villain. I love the fact that he is so short-tempered, nasty and utterly disdainful of Columbo. I have no problem at all with there being no love lost between the two of them, it means there is always tension in the air!

Columbo's facial expression at the end is awesome (even though I ticked the "spoilers" box, I still don't want to reveal exactly what his evidence is). Without saying a word, he conveys with his eyes: "Come on mate, why are you making such a fool of yourself?! Everyone knows you did it, so why not just quit all this pointless shouting and getting angry, it's ridiculous!"

Up there with "Death Lends A Hand" as one of the standouts of the first series.

The Best Columbo Ending of All Time

[CoolComix2 · 8/10 · 5 July 2007]

Seeing Ross Martin duel with Columbo is a treat. Whereas his best-known character, Artemis Gordon from "The Wild Wild West," was laid-back and mischievous, his portrayal of art critic Dale Kingston embodies the worst traits of a professional critic: cold, calculating, and arrogant. He makes the perfect antagonist for the rumpled detective. Kingston appears to cover all his bases, manipulating everyone (but Columbo) for his own ends, whether through seduction, simpering, or browbeating. For awhile, he even stymies the great detective. But in the end, he is shocked to discover that Columbo has been one step ahead of him, besting the art critic with what has to be the most unexpected piece of evidence in a surprise ending! I never tire of watching this episode!

Columbo in the world of art

[Petey-10 · 9 July 2008]

Dale Kingston (Ross Martin), a famed art critic kills his uncle for his notable collection of paintings.And so enters Lt.Columbo the scene smoking cigars and asking questions.Columbo:Suitable for Framing (1971) is another great installment to the Columbo series.There was always a great deal of humor there.It's quite funny when that lady is showing him all those photos and he's anxious of seeing just one.Peter Falk is really one of the kind and the only one that could play this character.Ross Martin makes a great villain.Kim Hunter plays the victim's ex-wife Edna Matthews.The legendary Don Ameche is Frank Simpson.I had fun, once again, watching Columbo solving the crime.Columbo never lets me down.

What a great ending!

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 7 March 2012]

I have said many times that I love Columbo, and while Suitable for Framing is not one of my favourites of the series, there are so many things to love about it. I do agree that there is the odd noticeable continuity error such as with the paintings and the fruit bowl, but they weren't so frequent to distract myself from watching a highly entertaining episode. The locations and fashions are striking, once you get past Dale Kingston's over-sized bow tie, and Suitable for Framing is slickly edited mostly, and the music is fitting with the setting and adds to the mood. The story is very clever, with one of my favourite endings of any of the Columbo episodes because of Falk's facial expression that speaks so many words without saying anything and there is quite a bit of tension here as well, and the episode is tightly written, with a perfect balance of the humorous and the intense. Peter Falk is brilliant as always, and Ross Martin's short-tempered and disdainful Kingston really contrasts well with Columbo. Don Ameche was a fine actor, and a pleasure to see here, and Kim Hunter is also good. All in all, a great Columbo with a great ending. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Greatest Columbo Ending

[gene-07202 · 10/10 · 3 March 2019]

I love the ending to this episode. I remember the first time I saw it. I will not give it away here. Also? To this day, no one has ever stated who was the beautiful actress playing the Model in this film. She had dialogue and was in more than one scene. Never given credit. To this day, I cannot find out who she was.

Gut Instinct

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 5 August 2012]

A nice cast is the prime attraction for this Columbo episode where a noted art critic murders his uncle in order to inherit his art collection. Ross Martin plays the critic who is one of the least sympathetic villains ever in a Columbo feature.

For one thing Martin commits two murders, not only the uncle but also of a fawning art student whom he cons into helping him with the murder. And also he spends the entire episode smirking at Peter Falk who can't quite touch him. Finally when cornered a bit, he throws suspicion on the estranged wife of the victim played by Kim Hunter.

Actually Martin should have gotten away with it. He very cleverly faked the time of death with a really simple gimmick I won't reveal to give himself an alibi. But since Columbo got the scent he spent the episode just working on gut instinct that Martin was the killer.

Don Ameche as the family attorney, Rosanna Huffman as the luckless art student and Mary Wickes as her landlady all contribute nicely to the story. But Martin is one villain you are really glad to see Columbo nail.

Art is right up Artemus Alley, Frame & All

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 21 April 2009]

This is a very good episode of Columbo. It is directed by Hy Averback who directed a lot of F Troop episodes among many TV credits. The guest cast is tremendous.

Ross Martin who had recovered from illnesses which plagued his last season of The Wild Wild West. Interestingly, his character here uses the same last name (Kingston) that he uses on the Wild West episode THE NIGHT OF THE RUNNING DEATH. Martin is in good form here.

Don Ameche, and Vic Tayback are among the veteran character actors appearing in this one too. At one point in this, Kingston has Columbo convinced he has no reason to have killed anyone. Then, he tries to frame the one person who he needs to frame in order to have a motive and Columbo outsmarts him.

early Columbo episode delivers

[bcstoneb444 · 7/10 · 15 December 2014]

This early Columbo is a good one, mostly for the chemistry between Peter Falk and villain Ross Martin. Martin is deliciously cast as a pompous art critic, and indeed Dale Kingston is a self-centered, arrogant sort even by the standards of Columbo murderers. And the interplay between Falk and Martin is superb throughout. Mary Wickes and Vic Tayback contribute nice cameos. And Don Ameche is fine as the well-meaning family attorney. And how about that blonde, nude (alas, strategically covered-up) model? I may be in the minority in that I felt the ending, while satisfying in a poetic justice sort of way, was a little too abrupt. Also the Kim Hunter characterization as the ditsy ex-wife didn't work for me. Small criticisms, however, in a most enjoyable offering.

ross martin at his finest.

[resandersarts · 9/10 · 20 February 2020]

Kim Hunter is a joy, right up front. it depends on which rerun you get, but if it's the whole Magilla, she's dino mite (and without the monkey mask) BUT Ross martin shines. he's being pegged early by an intuitive Frank Columbo, but must continue to carry out the deeds of evil and manipulation. all the while keeping Columbo where he wants. it a great early peek at the frumpy detective's foresight and ability to play the prep as much as they think they're playing him. must see

Short and snappy early Columbo

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 30 December 2015]

A straightforward Columbo story, short and snappy enough to never outstay its welcome. The background involves the world of art collection with the main murder suspect an art critic who bumps off his wealthy uncle in order to inherit his priceless art collection.

The backdrop is a decent one and allows for some good-natured scenes in which the bumbling detective attempts to get to grips with the world of modern art. Although the guest villain, Ross Martin, was unknown to me, he gives a fun performance and gets to harangue the dogged detective at key moments, which is always fun.

The supporting cast incorporates the familiar faces of Don Ameche and Kim Hunter (star of the PLANET OF THE APES films) who give good support. Falk is on strong form here and the presence of an almost unbreakable alibi makes the mystery solving fun. As a whole, SUITABLE FOR FRAMING is a story hard to dislike.

Best Ending Ever

[LorenzoTH · 10/10 · 30 September 2018]

I watched this episode many times, and at the end I always say, I don't know how Columbo is going to get this one, then the very last scene has me smiling like I've just seen it for the first time... That is the sign of a GREAT ending, it gets you every time, no matter how many times you've seen it...

Good but later in the show, the writing suffers a bit.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 13 August 2019]

This episode didn't dilly-dally. Instead of leading up to a murder, it occurs almost the moment the show begins. You soon realize that the murder victim had an extensive art collection...and his greedy nephew couldn't wait to inherit the paintings, so he killed him. But Dale (Ross Martin) is a clever murderer--and he sets up a rock-solid alibi and uses his young girlfriend to do this. Later, to repay her for helping, he kills her, too! Nice guy, huh?!

This is a good episode...not a great one. This is because the plan by the nephew is a bit too complicated and he isn't exactly patient....making it too easy for Columbo to assume he's involved in the murder. This is especially apparent when he keeps insisting the police search his Aunt's home....a dumb and sloppy move in an otherwise clever murderer. Good overall...but also uneven.

In addition to Ross Martin, the show also has Kim Hunter as well as Don Ameche in the episode. A pretty good cast.

Tightly Written Early Columbo With A Terrific Ending

[ShootingShark · 5/10 · 21 July 2008]

Dale Kingston is an art critic who has been written out of his rich uncle's will, so he hatches a plot to bump the old guy off and frame it on an ex-wife. Lieutenant Columbo however finds his alibi suspiciously too tight, and is out to break his story.

Nicely scripted by Jackson Gillis, this is an enjoyable but unexceptional early Columbo. The best bit is the last three minutes, where the smarmy villain gets outsmarted good and proper with a truly ingenious bit of business involving fingerprints. Martin is not the best Columbo villain; he's a bit too loathsome - he kills a defenceless old guy, a young woman he pretends to be in love with and tries to pin it on a weak-minded lady - but the pleasure comes from watching Columbo bait him into incriminating himself, Columbo's standard modus operandi. Hunter is good as the nervous chatterbox ex-wife, and Wickes and Tayback are both funny in small parts as a landlady and a grumpy artist respectively. A minor TV mystery, but still a lot of fun, due as usual to Falk's fine acting chops.

very entertaining

[stones78 · 4 June 2010]

This early season episode has an interesting twist about an art critic who murders his wealthy uncle in order to inherit an elaborate art collection, with the help of a young art student. Ross Martin portrays the snobbish nephew who devised the murderous scheme, and is questioned a few times by Columbo. Martin and Peter Falk have great chemistry, and I believe they were acquaintances many years ago as young actors, and you can tell they're both comfortable with each other in this segment also. Many familiar faces are present, like Don Ameche, Vic Tayback, and Kim Hunter and all add certain flavor in this episode as different, somewhat flamboyant characters. To me, Martin makes this episode shine, and it's especially amusing the way he knows that Columbo is after him, even though the detective plays coy as usual. Watch for some pretentious art types, and strange paintings as well.

My only qualm here is how confident and cocky the suspect acts around Columbo, and practically wears guilt on his sleeve. Many episodes make the suspect a bit too arrogant, and that's after the murder's been committed.

Loved the catch-em moment at the end.

[reb-warrior · 9/10 · 2 May 2022]

I love that the murder was so meticulously done. Then along comes Columbo and he starts unraveling everything. Lol. Such as Dale asking what time it was, and searching for cufflinks in his car in order to establish an alibi. Or figuring out it was a woman running away that the security heard.

Columbo zeroing on Dale right away made sense given he had the most to gain. Or at least, Columbo thought so before the will was read. By the time it was read, even more clues were pointing to Dale anyway.

Loved the skits. Columbo and the naked model were so funny with his reactions. Columbo and Tracey's neighbor going through the album was hilarious with his facial expressions. Lol.

Ross Martin was really good as Columbo's foe. Snobbish and pretentious. Kim Hunter was good as ditzy but likable Edna. Vic Tayback played an up-and-coming artist. I always remember that guy as Mel from that comedy show, Alice.

Loved the catch-em moment at the end. How clever, and even devious was it of Columbo to get his own fingerprints on the artwork? Lol. And then when he pulled his gloved hands. Boom! Dale was rendered speechless.

Such good stuff. I can recall off-hand a couple of other times when he used "self" as a catch-em moment. In "Columbo Goes to College" he used his wife's car to catch-em. And in "A Friend in Deed," he used an apartment he rented to catch-em. Anyway, this was such an enjoyable one to watch. 9/10.

interesting, early Columbo

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 10 December 2005]

Dale Kingston (Ross Martin) is a TV personality and art critic who knocks off his uncle in order to inherit his art collection. To do so, he enlists the help of a bedazzled, untalented art student, whom he promises to help with her career. The two make it look like a robbery, Kingston intending to frame his uncle's ex-wife (and heir), played by Kim Hunter. It might have worked, but guess who's assigned to the case.

This is very entertaining, and of course, the original Columbos like this one were the best. A couple of the plot points are similar to the pilot for the series, which starred Gene Barry. Dangling the prospect of marriage, Barry uses his girlfriend in a plot to kill his wife.

Ross Martin was an effective actor who died too young, and he's marvelous as the critic, and Kim Hunter is fabulous as the frail, ditsy, ex-wife. One of the posters seemed to know her from Planet of the Apes. She has a few other credits, including the role of Stella in the original "Streetcare Named Desire," which she repeated in the film version and won an Oscar. She would be blacklisted during the McCarthy era, but she overcame this and continued her career. Her testimony to the New York Supreme Court in 1962 against the publishers of "Red Channels" helped pave the way for clearance of many performers unjustly accused of Communist connections.

Suitable for Framing

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 7 January 2018]

This is a great early episode of Columbo. A wealthy art collector is killed with several valuable paintings gone missing.

Columbo immediately suspects the victim's nephew , art critic Dale Kingston (Ross Martin.) He is after all thought to be the only living relative and sole heir.

However Kingston was at a party at the time, he is cocky, arrogant and has an alibi to fall back on. There is also the victim's ex-wife who seems to have incriminating evidence pointing towards her.

Columbo stories are never a whodunnit. We know who did it. It is a case of if they can get away with it.

I would love to have known why Columbo suspected KIngston in the first place. What struck me about this episode was how well Ross Martin acted here, he did a lot of a little things and made it look so easy.

Thank you Mary Wilkes for making us smile

[christoph-14868 · 8/10 · 7 March 2020]

Although her appearance is brief, Mary's colourful voice will never be forgotten - you stand forever with Lucille Ball & Carol Burnett

The Art Collector

[AaronCapenBanner · 7/10 · 20 February 2016]

Ross Martin plays a successful but cold-hearted art critic named Dale Kingston who murders his wealthy uncle and art collector in order to inherit his valuable collection, and gets help from his young art student girlfriend in order to establish an alibi, but this doesn't fool Lt. Columbo(Peter Falk) who is convinced of his guilt, but must break the airtight alibi, though Kingston will be forced to dispose of the girlfriend and frame his uncle's ex-wife(played by Kim Hunter) who was first to inherit the paintings, but makes the mistake of under-estimating the clever detective... Good mystery with Martin a standout and resolution quite satisfying.

The conniving art critic

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 8 September 2022]

A wealthy art collector appears to have been killed in a robbery gone wrong. The man's smug and pompous art critic nephew Dale Kingston (a deliciously smarmy portrayal by Ross Martin) has a too tidy alibi for where he was when his uncle got murdered that naturally arouses Lt. Columbo's (the always marvelous Peter Falk) suspicion.

Martin brings a delightfully obnoxious haughtiness to his role as one of the show's more eminently annoying culprits; it's a treat to watch the shabby, but savvy Columbo finally nail this unpleasant tool of a guy with an especially crafty plan. Director Hy Averback brings some real flair to the show; the constant cutaways to the various paintings of people staring like silent witnesses to Dale killing his uncle and making it look like a robbery rates as a particularly inspired touch. This episode further benefits from an excellent guest cast: Don Ameche as suave lawyer Frank Simpson, Kim Hunter as the dotty Edna Matthews, Joan Shawlee as jolly art gallery owner Mitilda, Rosanna Hoffman as nervous accomplice Tracy O'Connor, Mary Wickes as a snoopy landlady, and Vic Tayback as gruff hack artist Sam Franklin. And the final image of Columbo wearing the gloves is simply perfect.

Simplistic but entertaining Columbo adventure

[The Welsh Raging Bull · 6/10 · 14 February 2005]

A very brisk, hastily edited and somewhat more simplistic Columbo that we've become accustomed to: some scenes have untidy editing or continuity errors in them (the pictures that are on or off the wall after the murder; the scene where the murderer does up his tie in the make-up chair; and the removal of the fruit bowl off the table near the end of the film, which results in one piece of fruit falling on the floor etc.).

Nevertheless, this story is entertaining enough for the undemanding viewer and the resolution is not predictable in any way.

Ross Martin is quite aggressive in his role as the murderer and he seems to get perturbed by Columbo's persistence extremely early on, but his performance satisfactorily illustrates his characterisation's misplaced self-confidence.

Not vintage Columbo, but pleasing viewing nonetheless.

A fiendishly clever case for Columbo.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 13 November 2023]

Wealthy art collector Rudy Matthews is killed, Columbo instantly targets his nephew and sole heir, art critic Dale Kingston, but he has a very strong alibi for the night.

This is yet another very strong, very interesting episode, once again Columbo pinpoints the main suspect, and goes after his man. The first series has been particularly good, and this is one of my favourites so far, it's a very intriguing case, with some top notch characters.

I loved the opening sequences, there was a definite flair or cleverness there, talk about creating the perfect alibi.

I liked the visuals, I also liked the music, it was certainly a little different, very much of the early 1970's of course.

Don Ameche has the guest star tag, and was perhaps the most eye catching name in the listing, however it was definitely the performance of Ross Martin, who is excellent as Kingston.

Falk is terrific here, he really does get under the skin of the prime suspect.

8/10.

In the End Columbo Degas the Right Guy

[BaronBl00d · 7/10 · 30 June 2012]

I love the Columbo concept to begin with. These are mysteries where we, the audience, already know who the killer or killers are. We know how the murder was done. We, in fact, are privy to everything which means Columbo as a mystery show fails. But it is a mystery where we watch a policeman find a way to prove someone is guilty. It is never about whether or not that individual is guilty. It really is an amazing concept. I digress. This episode has Ross Martin kill his uncle so that he may take his art collection over as Martin is an art critic. We get Columbo learning about art, walking in on a beautiful nude being painted, wanting to look at watercolors, and offer his opinion when generally not solicited. Falk is always in fine form and Martin makes a good antagonist. The supporting players like Don Ameche, Kim Hunter(for me best-remembered from The Planet of the Apes), Vic Tayback, and the comical Mary Wickes in, for me, the best scene in the episode, as she is looking for a photo for Detective Columbo but stops and gives information about every other photo - the whole time Falk is looking into space, rolling his one eye, and trying to maintain his nice police persona. The ending, as aforementioned by many others, is the best part of the episode though I do feel that as a Columbo script goes - this one has some flaws. But it is very worthwhile and fun nevertheless.

Annoying Columbo

[mekid-33183 · 1/10 · 14 January 2023]

Columbo is just too annoying for my liking.... This is obviously fantasy, never a police officer would investigate anything like that...His gimmicks, guess work, speculations, it's just utterly stupid

And how he always meets the murderer straight away after a murder lol it's hilarious

Who wrote these stupid scripts?

Columbo is just too annoying for my liking.... This is obviously fantasy, never a police officer would investigate anything like that...His gimmicks, guess work, speculations, it's just utterly stupid

And how he always meets the murderer straight away after a murder lol it's hilarious

Who wrote these stupid scripts?