There are few shows that have captivated audiences like Crime Drama Colombo. For years, viewers have been mesmerized by the complex cases and intriguing characters of this groundbreaking show. Crime Drama Colombo has proved time and time again that it is one of the greatest shows ever, with its compelling storylines and top-notch acting.
What sets Crime Drama Colombo apart from other shows is its focus on the human condition. The show’s creator, Peter Falk, was a master at understanding the psychology of criminals. As a result, each episode feels like a true crime drama, as we watch the characters struggle with their inner demons. Falk also had a gift for catching memorable characters, and each one is perfectly played by the cast. All of these elements come together to create a show that is addictive and humane.
It’s no wonder that Crime Drama Colombo has won numerous awards, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe. If you haven’t seen this show yet, you’re missing out on one of the greatest television experiences of all time. It was different from other shows because it was a drawing-room mystery done backwards with a cop as the lead. Lt. Columbo was interesting because he wasn’t really a cop show. The producers, Jack Horger and David Koenig, say that it “flipped everything on its head.” What made Colombo so great was the interesting way each case was solved. Each episode had something new to offer, which is why it’s one of the greatest crime dramas ever made.
The history of the character of Lieutenant Columbo actually predates the TV show.In 1968, NBC aired a made-for-TV movie called Prescription: Murder. The character of Columbo was originally played by Peter Falk in this movie. He was only supposed to be a supporting character, but Falk’s portrayal of the quirky detective with the disheveled raincoat and cigar became so popular that the network decided to develop a series around him.
The first season of Columbo aired in 1971 and consisted of just seven episodes.While the ratings for the first season were not amazing, they were good enough for NBC to give the show a chance and renew it for a second season.
It was during the second season that Colombo really began to find its footing and become the classic show that it is today.
Some of the best episodes from seasons 1-4 are:
Colombo Season 1 Episode 2 – “Dead Weight”
In the second episode of Columbo’s first season, “Dead Weight,” we are introduced to two of the most iconic elements of the series: Columbo’s raincoat and cigar. Both of these items would become synonymous with the character over the course of the show’s run, and it’s interesting to see how they are both introduced in this episode.
The raincoat is first seen when Columbo is investigating a murder at a shipyard. He is talking to one of the workers when it starts raining, and he quickly puts on his coat to protect himself from the downpour. The cigar is first seen when Columbo is questioning a suspect in the same case. He lights up a cigar and uses it as a prop while he questions the man, eventually leading him to confess to the crime.
Both the raincoat and cigar would go on to be used frequently throughout the series, becoming part of Columbo’s signature look. It’s interesting to see how they are both introduced in this episode, and it’s clear that they would go on to play an important role in the series.
Columbo Season 1 Episode 3 – “Suitable for Framing”
In “Suitable for Framing”, Columbo goes up against a successful artist who has killed his model and framed her death as a suicide. The episode begins with the victim, Janice Rollins, being found dead in her apartment. The police rule her death as a suicide, but Columbo is not so sure. He begins to investigate and quickly realizes that Rollins was murdered. He then sets out to prove that the death was not a suicide, but rather a murder. This episode is one of the more clever ones in the first season of Columbo. The viewer is kept guessing until the very end. What makes it even more interesting is that, unlike most episodes, there is no clear motive for the killing. The artist, Richard Koster, seems to have no reason to kill Janice Rollins. This makes “Suitable for Framing” one of the more intriguing episodes in the first season of Columbo.
Columbo Season 2 Episode 1 – “Etched in Acid”
In “Etched in Acid”, Columbo comes up against one of the most diabolical killers in the entire series. The killer, played by Margot Kidder, is a former art student who has turned to murder to get her hands on a valuable painting. She first murders her professor, who had promised her the painting, and then sets her sights on Columbo himself.
The episode is a masterclass in suspense, with Kidder’s character always one step ahead of the detective. She is cool, calm and collected, even when she is being interrogated by Columbo. The cat-and-mouse game between them is edge-of-your-seat stuff, and the final twist is truly shocking. “Etched in Acid” is an essential episode of Columbo and one of the best examples of why this show is so great.
Columbo Season 2 Episode 4 – “The Greenhouse Jungle”
In “The Greenhouse Jungle,” Columbo takes on a corrupt businessman who is trying to kill his business partner. The businessman, Harry Stanton, is trying to drive his partners out of the greenhouse business so that he can take over the company. To do this, he hires a hitman to kill one of his partners, but the plan goes awry and the hitman ends up dead. With the help of his trusty sidekick, Detective Sergeant Enzo Vecchio, Columbo is able to piece together the clues and catch Stanton in the act. This episode is a classic example of Columbo’s deductive genius at work, and it’s sure to keep you guessing until the very end.
Season 3 Episode 3 – “Any Old Port in a Storm”
In “Any Old Port in a Storm,” Columbo takes on a wine connoisseur who has killed his business partner. The victim, Peter Hamilton, was about to expose the conman’s fraudulent wine business. In order to prevent this from happening, the conman, Christopher Stuart, kills Hamilton and makes it look like a suicide. Columbo is able to see through the facade and catch Stuart in the act. This episode is another great example of Columbo’s deductive skills at work, and it’s sure to keep you guessing until the very end.
Season 3 Episode 5 – “Short Fuse”
In “Short Fuse,” Columbo goes up against a bomb maker who is killing people for insurance money. The bomber, Alex Gifford, is a former army demolitions expert who has turned to murder to get his hands on some quick cash. He first kills his business partner, and then sets his sights on Columbo himself. The episode is a masterclass in suspense, with Gifford’s character always one step ahead of the detective. He is cool, calm and collected, even when he is being interrogated by Columbo. The cat-and-mouse game between them is edge-of-your-seat stuff, and the final twist is truly shocking. “Short Fuse” is an essential episode of Columbo and one of the best examples of why this show is so great.
Season 4 Episode 2 – “Negative Reaction”
In “Negative Reaction,” Columbo goes up against a egotistical photographer who has killed his model girlfriend. The photographer, Robert Dunbar, is a talented but temperamental artist who has a history of violence. When his girlfriend, Lola Mason, threatens to leave him, he kills her and makes it look like an accident. Columbo is able to see through the facade and catch Dunbar in the act. This episode is another great example of Columbo’s deductive skills at work, and it’s sure to keep you guessing until the very end.
Season 4 Episode 3 – “By Dawn’s Early Light”
In “By Dawn’s Early Light,” Columbo investigates a military academy where a student has been killed. The victim, Cadet Robert Bradley, was about to expose the corrupt practices of the academy’s commandant, Colonel Pritchard. In order to silence Bradley, Pritchard arranges for him to be killed in a hunting accident. Columbo is able to see through the facade and catch Pritchard in the act. This episode is another great example of Columbo’s deductive skills at work, and it’s sure to keep you guessing until the very end. As always, Peter Falk delivers a brilliant performance as the bumbling yet competent detective, and the episode features some great suspenseful moments. If you’re a fan of Columbo, or just a fan of good crime fiction, “By Dawn’s Early Light” is definitely worth checking out.
If you’re a fan of crime dramas, then we highly recommend watching Colombo. The show is jam-packed with psychological insights and criminal investigation techniques that are sure to keep you entertained. So far, we’ve only scratched the surface of this brilliant series – there are many more gems waiting to be uncovered. We hope you will continue following along with us as we delve deeper into the world of Colombo and discover all its secrets. Please share this article if you enjoyed it, and leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!
Columbo is without a doubt the greatest detective in modern television history. Unassuming, calculated pop appearances, Loaded questions etc. Patrick Jane and Monk distant second.