Double Exposure

Classic episode. Cannell's script is spot on with great Columbo traits and dialogue. Holds up thirty yeas later as good as any writing currently on TV. Culp is well cast and has the right amount of smugness--"Dr. Keppel" is the type of character you love to see foiled by his own invention.

PLOT: An arrogant motivational research specialist (Robert Culp) uses subliminal cues in a short film to murder a nemesis (Robert Middleton).

COMMENTARY: This was Culp's third and final appearance as an antagonist in the 70's run, but he would return for "Columbo Goes to College" (1990) as the father of the murderer. By this point Falk and Culp are very familiar with each other and work well together, which is reflected in the interesting interactions of their characters. Indeed, this installment features the best "I know you know I did it, but you can't prove it" interplay since the pilot "Prescription: Murder" (1968).

There's a long grocery store sequence in the middle and an amusing golf course segment in the last act. While I don't buy the reliability of the subliminal images, it makes for a good story.

A mysterious woman named Tanya Baker is mentioned several times, but she's curiously never shown or heard. The end credits list hottie Arlene Martel as the character, but the part was obviously cut. The fools.

GRADE: B

"Double Exposure" is one of the best in this long running series that peaked in the 70's to my opinion. As these films are no whodunnit's, the detective's opponent needs to be a strong character. You bet Robert Culp is one.And he is in top-form as Bart Keppel with his 'subliminal cuts' in advertisement. I think I've seen this one about ten times now and it's still very good entertainment. Note : Culp is also in one or two other episodes, notably in 'The Most Crucial Game'. Brilliant cat-and-mouse-play.

I usually watch Columbo for the guest villains/murderers, and this episode stars the arrogant Robert Culp, who's in my opinion second only to Jack Cassidy as far as great guest stars/killers go. Culp perfectly portrays Dr. Bart Kepple, a research specialist who's responsible for this new fangled gizmo called subliminal messaging, and he's a very proud and confident man. The method of the murder is quite original, yet very risky, but Culp makes any routine murder that much more interesting. Kepple naturally underestimates Columbo, and tries to outsmart him, even though Columbo is adept at playing dumb to the arrogant suspect. Speaking of dumb, that award goes to the film projectionist, who stupidly blackmails Kepple and practically asks to get himself killed, in which Kepple obliges. Lastly, the conclusion is better than many other episodes, as Columbo uses Kepple's technique against him.

Most of the 1970s Columbos are excellent and "Double Exposure" is one of the very best. The motivational psychology angle works well and offers Columbo some intriguing research to do. The villain is played by Robert Culp and this is his third and last appearance in 1970s Columbo. (He would return as the father of a villain in a 1990s episode - "Columbo Goes To College".) Culp is a class act and he brings the right balance of arrogance and likable roguishness to the part. Falk clearly loves playing against Culp and as a result he raises his game giving one of his most grounded performances as the detective. The interaction between the two is a joy and look out for Columbo's "you can't win them all" line which is the climax to some verbal jousting between him and Culp. Overall, this would be in my top 5 Columbos of all time.