Robert Vaughn. A remarkable departure from formula. Doesn’t really feel like a Columbo episode.
- The pace is slow, particularly in part one, where scenes aimlessly go on and on. And on.
- Many, many scenes appear to be improvised. Hence the lack of focus, and never-ending scenes going nowhere.
- The main suspect is murdered half-way through. A big shock that. As it completely changes the core formula of Columbo. Drastically.
- It ends with a room full of suspects and even the viewer doesn’t know who did it.
Yet it works. As something different. Because Peter Falk is always great fun tow watch and there’s a sly sense of knowing humour to the whole enterprise, courtesy - no doubt - of director Patrick McGoohan. 9/10
