User reviews

I liked watching this Columbo movie. It follows the usual formula but has a story with some twists to it, in which 2 lovers are trying to frame the wife's husband for a murder in order to get the husband out of the way. The man and murderer also happens to work for the police as a forensics expert and therefore starts to work directly with Lt. Columbo on the case. At first he really seriously doesn't suspect him (which is almost un-Columbo like) and it isn't until halve way through that the good old lieutenant starts to figure out the truth.

It's a nice concept, that is also rather well written, though the movie gets a bit weaker as the movie progresses and it starts to drag a bit with its concept. Also the seemingly 'perfect' plan seems actually more and more stupendous and not thought out well enough. It has too many holes and clues in it for Lt. Columbo to figure that something fishy is going on here. So even though it's well written and original within its usual framework, it just isn't the most watertight script, plot-wise.

What also mostly makes this movie such a fine and fun Columbo movie to watch is its nice comedy. There some real fine and subtle comedy within this movie, which made me enjoy this movie even more than the usual average Columbo movie entry.

It was the last movie Vincent McEveety directed for the Columbo series. He directed a total of 7 Columbo movies in the '90's. All of them are special Columbo movie entries in their own way and they are each original. I think this is why he got asked so many times back to direct another Columbo movie. No, not all of his Columbo movies work out but at least you can always say that it's different than usual, which already is a big thing for a Columbo movie. Fore lets face it, in essence every Columbo movie is of course the same.

The cast was also good. Normally the later Columbo movies don't have a too good or impressive cast but in this movie all actors do a good job. Even though the movie doesn't feature the biggest names in the business this really doesn't harm this Columbo entry in the way it had harmed some of the other later Columbo movies. Even Shera Danese is good in this one. Danese at the time (and still is) married to Peter Falk, which had landed her some roles in more than a few Columbo movies. Normally she isn't much good but in this movie she plays her role simply well.

A Columbo movie I simply enjoyed watching, despite its plot flaws and problems.

7/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

By all means A Trace of Murder is not quite one of the best of the later episodes, but it is a more than watchable and worthy one. I wasn't too crazy about the ending though, I liked the twist, but the reveal itself too too dragged-out and contrived for my liking. Still, it is like all the Columbos a well made episode, with a score that fits well with the atmosphere and tension. The writing also convinces, especially in the pleasingly subtle comedy, and the story is diverting with a good mix of tense, charming and humorous scenes. Peter Falk is still excellent as Columbo, was there anything this man could not do, and while Shera Danese is solid in her most interesting role of the series I found Barry Corbin as the volatile framed husband even better. All in all, very watchable, and while not one of the best A Trace of Murder is a worthy episode still. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Cathleen Calvert wants to leave her millionaire husband Clifford and set up with lover Patrick Kinsley. However a water-tight prenuptial agreement means that divorce will leave her with nothing. Killing him is deemed far too risky and obvious a crime but if only they could get him out of the way without losing access to his wealth. Luckily for them, Clifford is being threatened with a major lawsuit from accountant Howard Seltzer and Cathleen decides that the easiest thing to do would be to murder Seltzer and frame Clifford. The deed is easy and it looks like an open and shut case given how much evidence is available (thanks to the knowledge Kingsley has as a member of the police forensics team). Problem is, for Lt. Columbo, it just doesn't ring true and he just keeps digging.

With the long running Columbo formula it is tempting to try and change it and "new" Columbo films have occasionally fallen into the trap of ditching the formula and trying something new – it rarely worked. However with this film the writers have successfully varied the formula while still retaining enough of it to avoid losing the elements of the series that make it so successful. It is a bit of a problem that the plot is built on a lot of coincidences and illogical risks but generally the film manages to keep things working so that I just accepted the events. Having said that, it didn't ring true that Kinsley, having left enough forensic evidence to frame the pope, would feel he has to get more involved in the case. Such things aside though the film is an engaging mystery that is fun to watch because we get to see Columbo at work, going after his main suspect as per formula but also having more out there to engage his mind and take him in a different direction. It is a nice touch and, like I said, it allows the film to do what the series normally do while also doing things differently.

Falk works with this well and embraces the chance to show his character working internally with the slightest little clues. He delivers some nice comic touches throughout and, as usual, seems totally comfortable within his own skin. The casting of the two male supports is good. Corbin is a solid presence and he provides the tension with Columbo while Rasche provides the "I'll help you solve this" element of the formula – so together they provide the usual stuff but the fact that it is split makes it more interesting. Danese is less convincing but the film doesn't put too much on her. There isn't much support to speak of and generally the main three male actors do well to carry it with good performances.

Overall then a pretty enjoyable Columbo film. Although the change in formula comes with illogical devices and unlikely setups it does generally work and it presents the formula while also changing it. As many of the new Columbo films show, changing the formula is a risky business but here it pulls it off.

I've read lots of comments about this movie, both good and bad, and I must say that I think it is one of the best of the newer Columbo movies. This was actually the first time I'd seen him stumped for the majority of the movie, and it wasn't until shortly before the end that he actually figured it out. Although I love Columbo, the main reason I decided to watch this one was because I loved David Rasche in Sledge Hammer (please make more of those). However, the plot for this one kept me riveted to the couch and not wanting to move. Possibly not as good as many of the classics from the 70s, but definitely better than most of the newer episodes I've seen. Watch it if you get a chance.

Real life Mrs. Peter Falk, Shera Danese is one of two people who plot a killing, the other is her lover David Rasche. Danese is married to tycoon Barry Corbin who is a real loudmouth boor. But he's got her by the pre-nup, she gets not enough to continue the style of living she was accustomed to.

But if Corbin gets murdered she's looked at right away as a suspect. What to do, but murder someone that Corbin has a motive to kill. The poor schnook they pick on is someone who is suing Corbin and who Corbin had a public quarrel with.

That would be Raye Birk, middle-aged bachelor who lives a quiet conservative lifestyle. Rasche murders him and together evidence is planted implicating Corbin.

Truthfully I don't think many would have missed Corbin. But Birk is an innocent soul and these two are as coldblooded a pair that Columbo ever encountered.

It's as usual little details with Columbo that don't quite fit. He's up against something he's never faced before with one of the killers which I won't reveal. But it all hinges on Danese and Rasche keeping their relationship secret. And it's little things that give them away.

Columbo always spots these details, but in this one he's almost Monk like in his anal retentiveness.

One of the best of the newer batch.

A TRACE OF MURDER is one of the last of the Columbo series, and its odd to see the detective as a much older, weather-beaten character. He still seems to be in good shape though, and Peter Falk is certainly on very good form in what turns out to be a distinctly average mystery.

The guest star this time around is Shera Danese, Falk's real-life wife. She conspires with her lover to frame her domineering husband for murder, to get him sent to prison so she can get her hands on his fortune. To complicate matters further, her lover is a forensic expert who ends up working as Columbo's assistant on the case. How long before the wily detective sees through the charade?

A TRACE OF MURDER seems to have been hastily written as the mystery isn't up too much. The bit at the end where Columbo grabs a random couple of restaurant workers to explain the intricacies of the plot is an example of writing at its most threadbare. Even so, this is still a charming story and there's plenty of humour which works really well. I love the scene where Falk is flabbergasted after a sudden realisation, and the "three eyes are better than one" gag is top notch. This is still a Columbo well worth watching if only for the character. Barry Corbin is also great fun as the short-tempered husband.

Overall this is a pretty good Columbo, in my opinion, though it does have some glaring weaknesses.

Barry Corbin is very good as the loud husband who gets framed by Shera Danese. Danese turns in her usual performance; she's lovely and interesting but seems to play essentially the same character in every episode.

The criminologist "bad guy" does a pretty sloppy job for a supposed expert -- that may be the biggest plot weakness; it's hard to believe he was that dumb. A long way from CSI.

The other weakness is the ending - the twist is good enough, I suppose, but the scene in which he reveals it is contrived and overplayed.

All in all, a good story. If they'd redone the ending and let the villain be a little more clever it would have been a great one. As it is, it's just good.

-B-

A woman is having an affair and she and her lover want to convict her much older husband of a murder. Now, I do not know why they didn't just kill the husband...but that's neither here nor there. Regardless, after the boyfriend kills a man who is suing the woman's husband, you learn that the boyfriend is ALSO a forensic scientist who works for the police department...and he's in charge of this investigation in the case! With all these cards stacked against him, how could Columbo actually prove the pair are working to convict the innocent husband?

This is a case where the forensic expert and the wife work way too hard to create an air tight case...something you often DON'T have in a murder case. In fact, so many details are attended to that I would wonder if this might actually alert the police...as the details are seemingly too perfect.

So is this any good? Absolutely....a very good episode. There is a funny mistake...or at least it seems incredibly unlikely. As the killer points the gun towards the camera to kill the poor schnook, you can see the revolver's chambers are empty. I suppose there could be one in the chamber...but who would load a gun with only one bullet if they are going to use it for a murder?! But apart from that, it's very good and very compelling...and well written.

By the way, this is the sixth and final time Peter Falk's wife, Shera Danese is on the show. She is just fine...a good actress. But if you're binge watching you'll likely be annoyed by how ubiquitous she is...but with a show only airing 2-6 times a year, I am pretty sure folks seeing it back in the 1990s wouldn't have noticed.

Also by the way, I noticed at least one reviewer complained that the end drug a bit. I would agree, as we didn't need to know EVERY detail Columbo noticed....just the main ones. But it didn't harm it much....barely at all.

In addition to slow-to-unravel plots and Columbo's simultaneously folksy and irritating (to suspects) manner, many episodes in the Columbo saga also feature colorful prime suspects played by felicitously chosen actors. Often, a delightful chemistry develops between Columbo and his quarry.

Once again, great chemistry! Barry Corbin delivers as a brawling, coarse, mince-few-words business tycoon with no patience for irritations.

"A Touch of Murder" is a late Columbo and, as a few of the later ones do, it deviates from the formula. In this case, unlike other cases, the deviation works.

The real-life Mrs. Falk, Shera Danese, plays Cathleen Calvert, the wife of millionaire Clifford (Barry Corbin). She is having an affair with the head of forensics with LAPD, Patrick Kinsley (David Rasche) and wants to get rid of her husband. She and Kinsley decide, since Clifford is in the midst of a lawsuit that could cost him millions, killing the litigant (Raye Birk) and framing Clifford is a better idea.

This was a fun episode, with Shera Danese in a spectacular wardrobe and jewels throughout. David Rasche is charming and lighthearted in his delivery - but I must say, his character was not a very good forensics person. Or perhaps he wasn't counting on someone as sharp as Columbo.

I loved Columbo's "aha" moment, as well as his observations, but the ending with him demonstrating how he figured things out to Barney was obviously done because the episode was running short.

Nevertheless, highly enjoyable.

PLOT: A spoiled rich woman (Shera Danese) is having an affair with another man (David Rasche), but she can't divorce her entrepreneur husband (Barry Corbin) because of their prenuptial agreement, which would leave her destitute. So they hatch a scheme to murder of the husband's legal nemesis (Raye Birk) and frame him.

COMMENTARY: Striking Danese was Peter Falk's wife from 1977 till his death in 2011. She appeared in 6 Columbo movies with this one being her biggest role as guest star. Rache is likable, but with a sinister streak, while Corbin is convincing as the proud curmudgeonly mogul, not to mention amusing. The murder scheme is creative and the subsequent investigation creates mounting interest as the disheveled detective zeroes-in on the killers. I like the way he suddenly realizes that the two are in cahoots and turns 'em against each other.

GRADE: B

This Columbo-episode must be one of the best ever. The plot is simple: Mrs. Cathleen Calvert (played by Shera Danese, Peter Falk's real-time wife!) has a rich husband, Clifford (played by Barry Corbin), but she has also a lover, Patrick Kinsley (played by David Rasche). To get rid of her husband, Cathleen figures out a great plan: they make him responsible for a murder. All evidence leads Columbo to him. Will Clifford ever be free or was the plan perfect? Watch the movie to figure it out!

I loved the plot: it was interesting. It was fun to watch Barry Corbin as Clifford, his character was funny. Shera Danese again in a Columbo-movie, but this is good: she can act, whatever character is needed. Peter Falk as Columbo is perfect as always.

I can recommend this movie for everybody looking for a good mystery.

There is no way the forensic expert would make all the amateur mistakes he made. The episode has no credibility!

An excellent Columbo mystery... One point. The Forensic Investigator, more than once, states to his co-conspirator that he thinks this guy" Lt Columbo is "goofy". They are meeting for the first time because the Investigator had been teaching at the Police Academy until recently. Then why would he NOT KNOW about Lt Columbo and that his "Façade" of being bumbling and different is all JUST a façade? Otherwise I enjoyed this immensely.

The two murderers, being amateurs, would probably have screwed thing up at some point. They are connected and haven't thought out the implications of their actions. Barry Corbin plays a rich windbag. He is neither the murderer or the victim. He is the rich guy who is being set up. The problem is really an airtight alibi and Columbo knows this almost from the start. The dead guy is a man whom he decked early on. The guy is suing him. Naturally, he would want revenge, but he isn't going to risk what would happen. The problem for the pair is they set up too many clues and too many is often worse than not enough. Also, the woman is flighty and cruel and shows her anger too easily. We are fed some real deduction, such as putting cat hair on the husband''s back. Just too much that becomes obvious. Remember also that Columbo, when he is pretty sure he has the right guy, generally never lets go.

I have been a long time fan of the Columbo series, however some things need to be just left alone. Falk is like a aging fighter who cannot see his prime has pasted him. While there have been few good series in the reboots of the 90's most of them to me have fallen.

Also I get this is Hollywood and the man in charge Falk is going to repeatedly recast his choice favorite actors (most whom are white) including his real life wife Shera Danese in more episodes than she needs to play. She is a B list actress at best and she was not convincing to me in this role but I get it that Falk will cast who he wants including his trophy wifey.

I thought Corbin was great as a feisty mogul, yet the writing of the latter shows are not what they used to be. It was always so funny to me that Columbo could be working for the police in LA, a very multi racial city yet so few people of color are seen in most episodes as major characters let alone none of the major crimes of the show were ever committed by a black character.

Columbo is a unique character who is fun to watch. However, during "A Trace of Murder" the fun was coupled with a great plot. It is my favorite and probably the only one that provided its "fun" content due to the character. As usual, but also surprised many of us with a fresh, brilliant story line. Although I have always enjoyed Columbo, "A Trace of Murder" is the only one that comes to mind in detail when discussing the series with others. Let's have more work of that quality... and soon!

David Rasche stars as a forensics expert named Patrick Kinsley who is romantically involved with Kathleen Calvert, the wife(played by Shera Danese) of a wealthy man named Clifford Calvert(played by Barry Corbin) who is desperate to be rid of him, but can't divorce because of a strict prenuptial agreement that will leave her with no money, so they devise a scheme to murder a man that Clifford is in a lawsuit with, then frame him for the crime, enabling her to inherit the wealth after his presumed murder conviction. Lt Columbo(Peter Falk) has his doubts though, and is shocked to think his colleague may be involved... Good premise, but the casting and tone are a bit off, the climax strangely protracted. Still, reasonably interesting.

Loud, obnoxious millionaire businessman Clifford Calvert (Barry Corbin) is being sued by a disgruntled investor Howard Seltzer.

Clifford's wife Cathleen (Shera Danese) is having an affair with Patrick Kinsley (David Rasche.) She cannot leave her husband because of a pre nuptial agreement. She is also aware that if her husband loses the case against him he could be left destitute.

Cathleen plans a scheme where her lover Patrick kills Seltzer and frames Clifford for the murder.

When Seltzer is found dead, Columbo investigates. The police forensic examiner happens to be Patrick Kinsley. However he cannot find a cut off cigar butt in the crime scene which he plans to use to frame Clifford Calvert.

There are shades of Double Indemnity and this is one of the better ones in the newer Columbo era. Columbo certainly looks older here, he really should had retired by now. It is also difficult to believe that Patrick would not had found out that Columbo would be a formidable adversary from his colleagues.

It is a fun enough episode, Corbin is good as light relief and Columbo explains at the end how he came to his conclusions.