@Angie H. You're going to be busy if you're going to be correcting grammar and spelling on RUclips. Also, the only word needed and missing is "so" and you have at least one too many comma's in your correction. R. Sat. -09/04/21 5:38 A.M -P.D.T.
Understood. The "smoking clock" is a brilliant mixed metaphor, but a mixed metaphor nonetheless. Gotta call you on that one, Warren. (My comment is a mixed metaphor, too; "fencing" and "gotcha!")
The music accompanying this "Gotcha" moment (and there is always one in every Columbo episode) is particularly effective in "The Most Crucial Game," even though I believe it may be "stock" Columbo soundtrack material. Robert Culp's acting here is terrific, as always, but the finale has no dialogue. The music serves a dual function here. In addition to compensating for the lack of dialogue following the unique sound of the clock's bell ringing--which is the "Gotcha" moment, the music tells us what Culp's character is thinking in sound form. The music nicely captures his inner turmoil, as the realization that he's been caught strikes deep.
But what sends shivers up my spine is how Columbo looks at him. Those camera shots of his eyes is so creepy along with that music and then they both watch the tape reel winds to the end and it freezes. Neither one says anything. That really gets to me.
Its very much the sound your brain makes when you get checkmated in chess and you stare at the board for a minute looking for a way that you might actually still have a chance.
This is one of the best Columbo's imo because of the tension and anger between Culp's character and Columbo. It's just classic. They both play the hell out of this scene.
Agree that Falk and Culp are great but this is a very flawed episode . Poorly explained motive for murder , and Columbo walking up to the crime scene and immediately tasting some of the pool water ? lol
Love when Hanlon (Culp) turns off the radio and Columbo chirps up, "Aw look, you did it again, I guess you just can't help yourself." The timing and body language of Peter Falk in that little exchange is just perfect.
@@martm216 Death Lends a Hand, The Most Crucial Game, Double Exposure and Columbo Goes to College. There were some great guest actors and actresses in the series, but I think Robert Culp, Patrick McGoogan and Ruth Gordon were the best.
The 1970's Columbo episodes and the 1980's Columbo episodes were vastly different. Different networks, different direction and most importantly Peter Falk just played him differently from the 1970's episodes.
@@scottypersia5715 Remember the reason they only did so many episodes was it was a part of the Sunday Night movie mix. Including McMillan and Wife, McCloud, Columbo, and another I can't quite remember. It may have been McCabe. I believe Peter Falk was asked to do later a regular weekly show, but turned it down. The interest was still there for thirty years.
I would say that only the first episode he appeared in, did he actually seem to like Columbo, there was some irritation, but in the end his character in that one, was just a guy who lost his temper and a freak accident occurred, no Saint, but understandable.
its said falk would intentionally adlib and go on on random things off script to try and get legit reactions out of the actors and real irritation, might be what we are seeing here
A sua presença constante era um fator que também ajudava muito a descobrir o criminoso. Ele usava psicologia em cada visita que fazia , estudando meticulosamente os comportamentos de cada suspeito. Tanto aqueles crimonosos que se irritavam demais com sua presença , como também aqueles que fingiam simpatia.
Director Jeremy Kagen’s direction of this scene is fantastic. This is my favorite Columbo gotcha moment specifically because of how strong the direction, editing and scoring is. Falk’s face as he’s looking at Culp. Culp’s facial meltdown. Tops all the way.
There were many great guest stars in the Columbo series, Robert Culp had what it took to make the film all the more enjoyable. Every appearance he made, he always played the part of the 'baddie' so well.
Yeah, you can really feel the heat when Culp's character realizes it's over, and all he did was facial expressions, touched his face twice, fixed his tie, and had a zip of water. Simply amazing! This is the best columbo ending i know.
Love the way Columbo looks at Robert Culp after the clock chimes, waiting for Robert to come out with an explanation why the clock chiming is not on the tape
At the time of this episode, keeping clocks in sync was difficult. Maybe there was some difference between the clock that didn't chime and the clock or record of when the call took place.
Thank you for the explanation. Due to the old timey quality of the recording, I thought the show was saying that the clock DID play on the recording and not in real life bc the clock sound sounded like it was on a tape recorder.
I love how drastically different each killer Culp played was from the last. In season 1, he was a measured man who had to constantly keep his cool but you could feel that anger just slowly brimming below the surface. And here, he's just a ball of anger exploding again and again. Then when he returns again, he's an arrogant manipulator cocksure of his every move.
Yeah, but Columbo nailed him so many times, you kinda think he would have been a little more wary about him. And it also seems that they kept putting him back on the street, no matter what Columbo did.
The fist clench when the clock chime sounds. This show is just so perfect and this particular scene is a tour de force. I must have watched every single episode from the 70s run about a hundred times and never get tired of them. How could you?
The way Columbo was looking at Culp was Classic in deed....and...that music....ouch!!!!! Plus,the way that Culp looked while he was taking that drink was pure acting skills at its best!!!!
One of the best Columbo scenes - perfectly written, with Falk and Hanlon at their best. Columbo has him barely holding it together at the moment the final clue is revealed.
It's great how there's no way Columbo could prove that Hanlon dressed up as the ice cream man to go to Eric's house to murder him, but he still wants to rattle him with his suspicions by making sure he comes in eating some of the same ice cream: "that Dingaling concession is the best in town, don't ever change that."
To me, that's the best episode. And the best ending. Columbo's face is just incredible when he swallows his lips and then, almost embarrased to be so clever, look at Culp.
Such a bizarre and wonderful formula. We see the crime. It is a perfect crime. We see Lt. C being awkward and bumbling and annoying for most of an episode. We see him being belittled and taking it in good part. Then he solves the crime in a most unusual and (in all practical terms) unlikely way. But the boat ride for the whole episode is an excellent boat ride. There is a psychology PhD waiting to be written on why that is so. Excellent television. Excellent acting. Excellent scripts. Excellent 403 cabriolet.
Overall, this episode really wasn't the best, but the end to it absolutely KILLED me I don't care if I have to sit through an hour and fifteen minutes, Columbo absolutely destroying the murderer is always worth following the plot. What an amazingly written character
I LOVE this episode, for the filmographic beauty (pool scene, stadium, "the house", the pier diner) the realistic portrait of a Type A executive, the character of "the wife" (the role is that of the perfect boss whom Hanlon kills Eric to make way for), and the delicious, unmatched absurdity of the crime (white tux and dingaling ice cream). To me, this ep has it all like few others.
Culp trying to act like he was interested in the game and ignoring Columbo when he was hanging onto his every word. “They’re on the 10” called him out, and right after he put the binoculars down and the charade was over
Yes. Like many other ‘proofs’ in this series, this one would have been laughed out of court. However, these weaknesses don’t seem to harm the effectiveness of the stories
What about the witnesses who heard the clock when he was talking on the phone to the coach earlier. The clock just conveniently stopped at the best time to give him an alibi?
Is it? It seems to me a good lawyer could get this thrown out. After all, Columbo doesn't have any witnesses, no murder weapon and no clear motive. Hard to believe any judge would convict solely on a missing clock chime.
It's also fun seeing how columbo solving crimes and shady plots and other universes has become a thing. Columbo versus death note and columbo in Star wars are two gems.
Culp could just have said: "I brought the clock here just yesterday, it was not here last week when I called, so it does not appear in the tape either".
I prefer Colombo episodes of 70s than 90s . Guest stars were excellent as Robert Conrad , Robert Culp , Ross Martin , Jack Cassidy , John Cassavetes, Georges Hamilton, Robert Vaughn , Patrick Macnee ,...etc .... so many good actors ...!!!👍👍👍
After all these years, I remembered the clue on the tape. The sound of the clock! That just shows the quality of the writing! I haven't seen this in decades!
I ask the other question, how dare Columbo approach suspects in the way he does? He verges on the edge of being fired by his bosses as he always oversteps the line. Just look at Columbo's smug attitude to the turning on/off the radio. No wonder the suspect snaps - Columbo's attitude gets more and more smug and arrogant as each episode progresses.
Because they think they've outsmarted him. That Columbo isn't too bright and is in over his head. They've planned the "perfect" murder and have nothing to fear.
I love this show. After seeing some other clips, I just had to watch them again. I spent a month watching all the episodes on DVD. It is true some of the later ones were not as good. Some of them deviated away from the normal Columbo. You can tell different writers, but all were good. The last one from 2003, did finish in the true spirit of Columbo.
Mrs Columbo My friends, read the credits. Many-most-all (?) of the episodes were not written by Levinson/Link, but by individuals whose names we're not familiar with and hopefully gained credit for. As most of you have noted, we owe credit to the writers. Touche, unknown writers of one of the greatest, most legendary, body of work in television history.
I have a wonderful book about the NBC Columbo episodes that was published in the 1980s. The author of the book makes a good point about this episode. Columbo did not solve the case; he only disproved the main suspect's alibi.
Well it's a bit more than that. One he disproves the alibi so he is able to be the murderer. Two. He was on record as saying he called from his booth which is now disproved he is this lying. For what purpose? To construct a false alibi? For what purpose? If you were genuine and innocent you'd have no need to concoct a false alibi nor one that os meant to be so water tight. How many innocent people habe to worry cos they can't provide a verifiable alibi? Yet here this guy is trying to falsify a watertight one which can then be disproven. Kind of suggests he knows he needs one cos he ia guilty. Yes on its own it's still not enough but you can start to make one helluva an argument. Besides I'm sure it's not the only evidence it's just as Columbo said. He had to break it to get the rest to fit but now he has it can enhance the evidence as it does make him look more guilty.
Thanks for uploading all the treats. So funny....the people that did the crime are always: "Mr. Columbo, I have no time for your silly questions and your smelly cigars." But many of the innocent interviewees are like: "How about some coffee? Some leftover pastry? Wait! Don't leave. I'm lonely. This is a big city." And then Columbo goes something like: "Thanks. But I have no time."
A lawyer from a firm in California had looked at many of the Columbo cases of the original NBC seasons, and he looked through the "evidence" Columbo compiled for this case in order to at least get an arrest - however he said there was "insufficient evidence provided by Lt Columbo to stand up in court, and any decent lawyer could pick holes in the evidence and it would most certainly not convince a jury or a judge". = This seems to be a trait for at least 60% of the 1970s episodes.
@@johnking5174 I used to watch Quincy M.E back in the day, a pathologist tasked with discovering how a person died, then personally investigating the potential perps, and in many cases chasing them down! Conflict of interest your honor?
Could you imagine how much fun it would have been to participate in this series back then with all those great heavyweight actors ?? .. we will never see their like again
As much as I love the idea, that's rather flimsy in a court of law. The defence could come up with thousands of theories why the clock was silent on that day (or not in the room at all), and they don't even have to be very probable. Just technically. possible. Because it's prosecution's job to disprove these possibilities, not the other way round.
Very good point. Couldn't culp have just said the clock wasn't in the room at the time or it is temperamental and had a malfunctioning issue. Would have got him off.
@@andyb4864 But there are witnesses who could put the clock in the room at the time, like the usher who Culp tells he doesn't need any more that day. In fact, Culp would be questioned about that as well.
@@jonburrows8602 . Ok thanks, it's been years since I watched the original episode.I only just watched this clip Would the same have applied if he stated there was a malfunction with the clock?
Anyone else notice that Columbo seems to be a bit bumbling and disorganized but he seems to always solve the murders, proving he's actually a brilliant detective?
One of my favourite Columbos. Admittedly the best ones were the ones where the culprit couldnt get out of it....all the villain had to say here was "The clock is faulty..."
But if that was the case, you know Columbo would have checked with the personell that worked at the arena, and they would confirm that the clock worked and that someone had been winding it up every day so it wouldn't stop ticking.
@@sj460162 Sure he could, but don't you think he wouldn't have just procrastinated the inevitable? Would he have succeded? If he argued the clock was broken, there would have to be someone fixing it, and that would have left a trail, unless of course he fixed it himself, but then he would have to prove how he fixed it, and what was wrong with it. I don't think it would have been enough just to claim it it didn't chime that particular time.
Each character that Culp plays in these episodes tries to intimidate Columbo up until the hard evidence is presented. Then his character’s true colors show.
So the clock should sound on the tape but it doesn't. When it sounds in real life, it more or less proves he wasn't in that room at the time the tape was made (unless the clock was temporarily out of order on that day).
Always been a big fan of Columbo since its original run but somehow I wonder what his conviction rate is I mean some of his arrests are circumstantial evidence that a good attorney could Pick-A-Part
the acting troughout the series is absolutely first class and i dont mean its first class by tv standards .these actors were magnificent be it film,tv or stage.culp puts on a masterclass in just couple of minutes from being arrogant to trying the bagatelize the situation then without words the man who getting caught ,confesses but trying to toughen himself up for whats to come.
"They are on the ten, sir" omg love that line to this day😂 Also, where Columbo says "look he did it again" that's classic Lou Costello he ran same line in many skits.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Not only did Columbo catch him with the smoking clock but he did while keeping track of the game. Culp's reaction was perfect. No words needed.
Sometimes the best dialogue is no dialogue. That's where the great acting came in.
@@lawrencetaylor4101 Very true. Great acting is an art, and Culp showed it there...
the best tv detective program ever made
@Angie H. You're going to be busy if you're going to be correcting grammar and spelling on RUclips. Also, the only word needed and missing is "so" and you have at least one too many comma's in your correction.
R.
Sat. -09/04/21
5:38 A.M -P.D.T.
Understood. The "smoking clock" is a brilliant mixed metaphor, but a mixed metaphor nonetheless. Gotta call you on that one, Warren. (My comment is a mixed metaphor, too; "fencing" and "gotcha!")
The music accompanying this "Gotcha" moment (and there is always one in every Columbo episode) is particularly effective in "The Most Crucial Game," even though I believe it may be "stock" Columbo soundtrack material. Robert Culp's acting here is terrific, as always, but the finale has no dialogue. The music serves a dual function here. In addition to compensating for the lack of dialogue following the unique sound of the clock's bell ringing--which is the "Gotcha" moment, the music tells us what Culp's character is thinking in sound form. The music nicely captures his inner turmoil, as the realization that he's been caught strikes deep.
I gave you your 30th ' like ' !!!
But what sends shivers up my spine is how Columbo looks at him. Those camera shots of his eyes is so creepy along with that music and then they both watch the tape reel winds to the end and it freezes. Neither one says anything. That really gets to me.
Moreover, the mimic and gestic of Robert Culp is terrific, nibing on his drink!
This moment really is so satisfying!
Its very much the sound your brain makes when you get checkmated in chess and you stare at the board for a minute looking for a way that you might actually still have a chance.
This is one of the best Columbo's imo because of the tension and anger between Culp's character and Columbo. It's just classic. They both play the hell out of this scene.
Robert Culp was great in all his episodes of Columbo 👍
@Angie H. That's because he wasn't given the leading role.
Agree that Falk and Culp are great but this is a very flawed episode . Poorly explained motive for murder , and Columbo walking up to the crime scene and immediately tasting some of the pool water ? lol
Love when Hanlon (Culp) turns off the radio and Columbo chirps up, "Aw look, you did it again, I guess you just can't help yourself." The timing and body language of Peter Falk in that little exchange is just perfect.
100% !!
"They're on the 10 sir"
Columbo never misses a detail
Touch down
When Columbo slaps his forehead, you are pretty soon going to be wearing an orange jumpsuit.
No doubt!
Absolutely
Columbo's been chosen as an Avenger for Marvel Phase 4.
Still being shown weekly on Sunday after more than 50 years.
EVRAZ Russia 🇷🇺 jumpsuit EVRAZ Pueblo Colorado USA 🇺🇸 and Facts EVRAZ Chicago Illinois USA 🇺🇸 track Stars ⭐️ and Executive Privilege
Classic scene. I love the acting from Culp and Falk at the end. Masterful.
Enjoyed all the episodes with Robert Culp. Mind you, I enjoyed Columbo with anyone in it! 😄
Yes, I was trying to think of the name - I recall that Culp was in several episodes?
@@martm216 Yes, he appeared in four episodes, three as a murderer and one as the father of a college boy who murders his tutor.
@@keithjones6023 thanks 👍
@@martm216 Death Lends a Hand,
The Most Crucial Game, Double Exposure and Columbo Goes to College. There were some great guest actors and actresses in the series, but I think Robert Culp, Patrick McGoogan and Ruth Gordon were the best.
The writers must have had solid imagination to write something like this.
The show went on for 30 yrs
THIRTY YEARS
I don't think it is accurate to say it went for '30 years."
It went for 10 seasons, 69 episodes.
Do you claim to be the only one who recognizes the popularity and longevity of the Columbo series?
The 1970's Columbo episodes and the 1980's Columbo episodes were vastly different. Different networks, different direction and most importantly Peter Falk just played him differently from the 1970's episodes.
@@scottypersia5715 Remember the reason they only did so many episodes was it was a part of the Sunday Night movie mix. Including McMillan and Wife, McCloud, Columbo, and another I can't quite remember. It may have been McCabe. I believe Peter Falk was asked to do later a regular weekly show, but turned it down. The interest was still there for thirty years.
@@passqualecaiazza7728 Either way my point is Columbo didn't go for 30 YEARS.
"Columbo- I'm gonna throw you outta here on your ear"
Columbo: "I wouldn't do that sir... you'll miss the best part"
classic.
Look they scored a touchdown
🤣👌🇬🇧
I think it was "on your rear".
Wait I thought rear...
On your rear (southern California style)
The great thing about Culp is that he always seemed legitimately irritated by Columbo.
I haven't seen much of the show, but he seems like one of those characters whom you enjoy seeing irritate people
Culp is also a great character actor just like Falk
I would say that only the first episode he appeared in, did he actually seem to like Columbo, there was some irritation, but in the end his character in that one, was just a guy who lost his temper and a freak accident occurred, no Saint, but understandable.
its said falk would intentionally adlib and go on on random things off script to try and get legit reactions out of the actors and real irritation, might be what we are seeing here
A sua presença constante era um fator que também ajudava muito a descobrir o criminoso.
Ele usava psicologia em cada visita que fazia , estudando meticulosamente os comportamentos de cada suspeito.
Tanto aqueles crimonosos que se irritavam demais com sua presença , como também aqueles que fingiam simpatia.
"How did you know I did it?"
"You made one mistake sir. I know you did it, because you're played by Robert Culp."
Yep, his characters are always Culp-able.
😂
Just wow
He was in the first seasons then one more time in a movie episode. I wish they had made it tradition he came back every season
@@Eyerleth No doubt. Definitely full of Culp-ability :)
I just can't get enough of these clips. Sometimes they make me pine for a time before I was born. Columbo was the best.
The very best!
The show has aged well
Columbo and Murder, She Wrote are great!!!!
@@maplelu9514 l agree that Columbo is great, sorry can't agree on Murder She Wrote 😕
It is called "Anemoia" - nostalgia for an unknown time
It's a Greek word.
Director Jeremy Kagen’s direction of this scene is fantastic. This is my favorite Columbo gotcha moment specifically because of how strong the direction, editing and scoring is. Falk’s face as he’s looking at Culp. Culp’s facial meltdown. Tops all the way.
Jeremy Kagan.
This is my favorite scene from any Columbo episode: the way he looks at Culp at the end-like a hawk who’s caught a snake.
There were many great guest stars in the Columbo series, Robert Culp had what it took to make the film all the more enjoyable. Every appearance he made, he always played the part of the 'baddie' so well.
He also played the role of the father of one of the students that killed his teacher.
@@kfhroe8262 Yes, he did, that was one of the best of the later Columbo episodes.
The MAD magazine parody even "cast" him as the suspect back in the early '70s. "Dr. Culpable" was the character name.
Yeah, you can really feel the heat when Culp's character realizes it's over, and all he did was facial expressions, touched his face twice, fixed his tie, and had a zip of water. Simply amazing! This is the best columbo ending i know.
Your wife has my sympathy!!! Absolutely classic line from a classic episode. Loved these two.
“Look he did it again” I love that so much
Yeah! Lovely line.
Love the way Columbo looks at Robert Culp after the clock chimes, waiting for Robert to come out with an explanation why the clock chiming is not on the tape
*I WAS IN THE POOL!!!* - George Costanza
Maybe the battery was dead or the clock needed to be wound. Unless of course it's an electric clock
At the time of this episode, keeping clocks in sync was difficult. Maybe there was some difference between the clock that didn't chime and the clock or record of when the call took place.
Or maybe he wasn't in the same room when it chimed and he was out doing the murder🤷♀️
Just a thought
Thank you for the explanation. Due to the old timey quality of the recording, I thought the show was saying that the clock DID play on the recording and not in real life bc the clock sound sounded like it was on a tape recorder.
I love how drastically different each killer Culp played was from the last. In season 1, he was a measured man who had to constantly keep his cool but you could feel that anger just slowly brimming below the surface. And here, he's just a ball of anger exploding again and again. Then when he returns again, he's an arrogant manipulator cocksure of his every move.
"I wouldn't do that, sir. I mean, you'll miss the best part... You see, I'm not finished".
LoL
One of the best scenes ever in TV history. What a pleasure it is to watch these talented actors perform such a tension-filled scene so perfectly.
Culp was one of my favorite killers in the series.
Mine too, every episode he appeared in he played the part so well.
Yes, very good actor!
Columbo goes to College ,Culp acts so arrogant even though it's his son who Columbo was gunning for.
@@freedomring4813 He does 'arrogant' so well, he's been my favourite actor in Columbo, apart from Peter of course! 😄
Yeah, but Columbo nailed him so many times, you kinda think he would have been a little more wary about him. And it also seems that they kept putting him back on the street, no matter what Columbo did.
Your wife has my sympathy 😂
Great line!
"That ding a ling ice cream..." so subtle and perfect. Culp used the ding a ling truck to murder Eric. Not provable, but awesome.
🤔🤣👌🇬🇧
The fist clench when the clock chime sounds. This show is just so perfect and this particular scene is a tour de force. I must have watched every single episode from the 70s run about a hundred times and never get tired of them. How could you?
Idk why but there’s been a lot of Columbo nostalgia going on recently and I feel like I should watch it now
Robert Culp and Jack Cassidy each had 3 appearances as killers on Columbo, second only to Patrick McGoohan (4)
All of them great in their roles Antonio....
Was Culp's third appearance not as the father of the killer?
@@joegreenhalgh6902 on a fourth episode as father of a young murderer
@LegendaryDrew
Three? I thought it was two. Could be wrong.
@LegendaryDrew
It's cool. 👍
The way Columbo was looking at Culp was Classic in deed....and...that music....ouch!!!!!
Plus,the way that Culp looked while he was taking that drink was pure acting skills at its best!!!!
The deadpan "your wife has my sympathy." always kills me.
@2:41 “Ah, look, he did it again.” Lmao 🌀
One of the best Columbo scenes - perfectly written, with Falk and Hanlon at their best. Columbo has him barely holding it together at the moment the final clue is revealed.
3:31 is my favorite part of this episode lol.
Mine too.
2:40 is a *very close* second for me!
The best detective series of all time.
I wish the clip had played a few more seconds where it showed the end of the tape slapping over the closing credits and perfect music.
I watched the show when it first came out and I'm still watching it fifty years later. That won't happen wi today's shows 😕
I've been watching Columbo for the same time as you, still watching, my wife is often heard to say '' not Columbo again! '' 😏
there are still great shows around, Breaking Bad, The Wire etc
When I was a kid I hated Columbo the most out of the Sunday night Mystery Movies...and now hes my favorite so much so that I bought the full DVD set.
I’ve been watching Columbo since the early 90’s and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon 🙂
This show is 50 years old??!!
I loved when he pulled out a thermos. Kudos to whoever thought of that.
Robert Culp is a legend.
It's great how there's no way Columbo could prove that Hanlon dressed up as the ice cream man to go to Eric's house to murder him, but he still wants to rattle him with his suspicions by making sure he comes in eating some of the same ice cream: "that Dingaling concession is the best in town, don't ever change that."
"I had it backwards. There was something that wasn't there that should've." (No further dialog needed.)
Couldnt he have just said the battery was dead or it wound down?
@@mattr8251 My thoughts exactly.
Combined with the recorded call it's enough to prosecute him.
@@mattr8251 It's an electric clock.
I love that moment when the clock bell rings and the intense music and how the villain suddenly realizes it's over!
"Oh those shoes feel better, boy they were giving me alot of trouble earlier"
Culp always played a great sphincter and Pete's take @5:24=priceless.
I just LOVE when Columbo is tormenting Robert Culp or Jack Cassidy.
To me, that's the best episode. And the best ending. Columbo's face is just incredible when he swallows his lips and then, almost embarrased to be so clever, look at Culp.
Such a bizarre and wonderful formula. We see the crime. It is a perfect crime. We see Lt. C being awkward and bumbling and annoying for most of an episode. We see him being belittled and taking it in good part.
Then he solves the crime in a most unusual and (in all practical terms) unlikely way.
But the boat ride for the whole episode is an excellent boat ride.
There is a psychology PhD waiting to be written on why that is so.
Excellent television.
Excellent acting.
Excellent scripts.
Excellent 403 cabriolet.
The big gulp of water he took at the end did it for me😁great acting‼️
Culp is so great. Love this ep.
Overall, this episode really wasn't the best, but the end to it absolutely KILLED me
I don't care if I have to sit through an hour and fifteen minutes, Columbo absolutely destroying the murderer is always worth following the plot. What an amazingly written character
"Oh look, he did it again!"
😂😂😂
I LOVE this episode, for the filmographic beauty (pool scene, stadium, "the house", the pier diner) the realistic portrait of a Type A executive, the character of "the wife" (the role is that of the perfect boss whom Hanlon kills Eric to make way for), and the delicious, unmatched absurdity of the crime (white tux and dingaling ice cream). To me, this ep has it all like few others.
Culp trying to act like he was interested in the game and ignoring Columbo when he was hanging onto his every word. “They’re on the 10” called him out, and right after he put the binoculars down and the charade was over
The very last scene is with the reel rolling, the music changes and is absolutely perfect.
any good lawyer would just say the clock wasn't working and that's why you don't hear it on the tape lol
Yes. Like many other ‘proofs’ in this series, this one would have been laughed out of court. However, these weaknesses don’t seem to harm the effectiveness of the stories
What about the witnesses who heard the clock when he was talking on the phone to the coach earlier. The clock just conveniently stopped at the best time to give him an alibi?
I loved this episode!! So exciting and human interest pouring out in every scene!
5:00 Busted - Robert Culp's reaction is priceless when he knows his alibi has been blown apart!
Another great Columbo takedown.
Is it? It seems to me a good lawyer could get this thrown out. After all, Columbo doesn't have any witnesses, no murder weapon and no clear motive. Hard to believe any judge would convict solely on a missing clock chime.
@@GnuHopper I would agree, and the tape of the 'phone call would be very weak evidence.
But as as detective fiction, it's priceless!
It's funny how much MORE you enjoy COLUMBO has you get older. And truly APPRECIATE the underestimated detective
It's also fun seeing how columbo solving crimes and shady plots and other universes has become a thing.
Columbo versus death note and columbo in Star wars are two gems.
Culp could just have said: "I brought the clock here just yesterday, it was not here last week when I called, so it does not appear in the tape either".
I prefer Colombo episodes of 70s than 90s . Guest stars were excellent as Robert Conrad , Robert Culp , Ross Martin , Jack Cassidy , John Cassavetes, Georges Hamilton, Robert Vaughn , Patrick Macnee ,...etc .... so many good actors ...!!!👍👍👍
so many
Nobody likes 90s episodes.
The success of Columbo was not only due to the great Peter Falk, but also to the wonderful array of great actors and actresses who appeared with him.
I'm hooked on these old Columbo scenes lol
That is an "anniversary" clock. They are made to run for a year without winding. They don't chime.. chiming would make it wind down too fast.
After all these years, I remembered the clue on the tape. The sound of the clock! That just shows the quality of the writing! I haven't seen this in decades!
Robert Culp a great actor. His sister was Nancy Culp of the Beverly Hillbillies. He was standard fair of the 60s and 70s. Columbo was terrific.
I love the way falk looks at culp on 5.23. Priceless
One of my favorite endings great writing acting drama
The psycho music coupled wirh the tightening of the tie spells eminent doom!
Why do they all think they can talk to columbo that way ?He's a lieutenant investigating a murder.
I ask the other question, how dare Columbo approach suspects in the way he does? He verges on the edge of being fired by his bosses as he always oversteps the line. Just look at Columbo's smug attitude to the turning on/off the radio. No wonder the suspect snaps - Columbo's attitude gets more and more smug and arrogant as each episode progresses.
Because they think they've outsmarted him. That Columbo isn't too bright and is in over his head. They've planned the "perfect" murder and have nothing to fear.
Mr. Culp's comeback should be; "I forgot to wind my clock last week so that is why it didn't chime".
Looks like it's an electric clock.
I love this show. After seeing some other clips, I just had to watch them again. I spent a month watching all the episodes on DVD. It is true some of the later ones were not as good. Some of them deviated away from the normal Columbo. You can tell different writers, but all were good. The last one from 2003, did finish in the true spirit of Columbo.
2003 entitled, Columbo Likes the Nightlife ~
Os melhores roteiristas foram dos anos 70.
Mrs Columbo My friends, read the credits. Many-most-all (?) of the episodes were not written by Levinson/Link, but by individuals whose names we're not familiar with and hopefully gained credit for. As most of you have noted, we owe credit to the writers. Touche, unknown writers of one of the greatest, most legendary, body of work in television history.
I have a wonderful book about the NBC Columbo episodes that was published in the 1980s. The author of the book makes a good point about this episode. Columbo did not solve the case; he only disproved the main suspect's alibi.
Most of Columbs arrests wouldn't reach trial. And if they did so many would result in a not guilty verdict.
But hey, still great TV
Well it's a bit more than that. One he disproves the alibi so he is able to be the murderer. Two. He was on record as saying he called from his booth which is now disproved he is this lying. For what purpose? To construct a false alibi? For what purpose? If you were genuine and innocent you'd have no need to concoct a false alibi nor one that os meant to be so water tight. How many innocent people habe to worry cos they can't provide a verifiable alibi? Yet here this guy is trying to falsify a watertight one which can then be disproven. Kind of suggests he knows he needs one cos he ia guilty. Yes on its own it's still not enough but you can start to make one helluva an argument. Besides I'm sure it's not the only evidence it's just as Columbo said. He had to break it to get the rest to fit but now he has it can enhance the evidence as it does make him look more guilty.
Thanks for uploading all the treats. So funny....the people that did the crime are always: "Mr. Columbo, I have no time for your silly questions and your smelly cigars." But many of the innocent interviewees are like: "How about some coffee? Some leftover pastry? Wait! Don't leave. I'm lonely. This is a big city." And then Columbo goes something like: "Thanks. But I have no time."
I love the part where Columbia says : oh look you did it again.... I guess you just can't help yourself... Brilliant 😀
Robert Culp is LEGENDARY!!!!! Super-likeable even when he played the bad guy!!_______________________________|
The only way to outsmart Columbo is ……………well, come to think of it, there is no way to outsmart my man.❤❤❤❤
Maybe the clock was not working at that time on that day, circumstantial your honor.
A lawyer from a firm in California had looked at many of the Columbo cases of the original NBC seasons, and he looked through the "evidence" Columbo compiled for this case in order to at least get an arrest - however he said there was "insufficient evidence provided by Lt Columbo to stand up in court, and any decent lawyer could pick holes in the evidence and it would most certainly not convince a jury or a judge". = This seems to be a trait for at least 60% of the 1970s episodes.
@@johnking5174 I used to watch Quincy M.E back in the day, a pathologist tasked with discovering how a person died, then personally investigating the potential perps, and in many cases chasing them down! Conflict of interest your honor?
Could you imagine how much fun it would have been to participate in this series back then with all those great heavyweight actors ?? .. we will never see their like again
Top 3 Columbo in my opinion seriously underrated . episode.
Amazing scene...I had to watch this several times to get it
As much as I love the idea, that's rather flimsy in a court of law. The defence could come up with thousands of theories why the clock was silent on that day (or not in the room at all), and they don't even have to be very probable. Just technically. possible. Because it's prosecution's job to disprove these possibilities, not the other way round.
Very good point. Couldn't culp have just said the clock wasn't in the room at the time or it is temperamental and had a malfunctioning issue. Would have got him off.
@@andyb4864 But there are witnesses who could put the clock in the room at the time, like the usher who Culp tells he doesn't need any more that day. In fact, Culp would be questioned about that as well.
@@jonburrows8602 . Ok thanks, it's been years since I watched the original episode.I only just watched this clip Would the same have applied if he stated there was a malfunction with the clock?
"COLUMBO, I'M GONNA THROW YOU OUT OF HERE ON YOUR EAR!"
realizing that he deliberately keeps stalling and delaying in order to time the conversation for the clock chime
“I had it backwards…” Awesome
Great silent acting towards the end.
Imagine if they just desided to not say anything until they gotta lawyer
At 2:43 it looks sounds like a line, and gesture from Abbott from "who's on first".
Class actors
Total class in this era
The look Colombo gave closed check mate game over
He could have taken more of an interest in Columbo's new shoes. Best Columbo villain ever.
Anyone else notice that Columbo seems to be a bit bumbling and disorganized but he seems to always solve the murders, proving he's actually a brilliant detective?
I love the way he and monk are so different and yet, so similar at times.
….”look you did it again” and smirks 😂😂
One of my favourite Columbos. Admittedly the best ones were the ones where the culprit couldnt get out of it....all the villain had to say here was "The clock is faulty..."
But if that was the case, you know Columbo would have checked with the personell that worked at the arena, and they would confirm that the clock worked and that someone had been winding it up every day so it wouldn't stop ticking.
@@rBennich I get what youre saying. But he couldve argued it didnt chime.
@@sj460162 Sure he could, but don't you think he wouldn't have just procrastinated the inevitable? Would he have succeded? If he argued the clock was broken, there would have to be someone fixing it, and that would have left a trail, unless of course he fixed it himself, but then he would have to prove how he fixed it, and what was wrong with it. I don't think it would have been enough just to claim it it didn't chime that particular time.
@@rBennich very true my friend.
Each character that Culp plays in these episodes tries to intimidate Columbo up until the hard evidence is presented. Then his character’s true colors show.
I feel like his first appearance as Brenner was the least irritated character. He tried to bribe Columbo more than intimidate him.
So the clock should sound on the tape but it doesn't. When it sounds in real life, it more or less proves he wasn't in that room at the time the tape was made (unless the clock was temporarily out of order on that day).
Always been a big fan of Columbo since its original run but somehow I wonder what his conviction rate is I mean some of his arrests are circumstantial evidence that a good attorney could Pick-A-Part
the acting troughout the series is absolutely first class and i dont mean its first class by tv standards .these actors were magnificent be it film,tv or stage.culp puts on a masterclass in just couple of minutes from being arrogant to trying the bagatelize the situation then without words the man who getting caught ,confesses but trying to toughen himself up for whats to come.
Robert Culp is an appropriate actor for about cold-looded murderer roles, so that he is one of strong actors.......... Rest in peace.
It shows how good Robert Culp was when they had him appear in four episodes!
He’s dead 🤔
"They are on the ten, sir" omg love that line to this day😂
Also, where Columbo says "look he did it again" that's classic Lou Costello he ran same line in many skits.
I love the columbo music!! Also the opening theme in the first it second season. So nostalgic
Watching columbo makes sure that i dont do anything bad , id hate to be robert culp here
Falk and Culp fence back and forth brilliantly. One of the best "gotchas!" of all the Columbo scenes.
Columbo is a master of seeming like he's stalling/ just saying stuff, it's awesome!
Columbo’s Face…..🤣🤣🤣