A Friend in Deed

My #2 all time Columbo favorite. Great premise with Columbo investigating murder of two cops wives in a twist along the line of Strangers On A Train. The scene with Columbo discussing lack of finger prints on first deceased wife's phone with collaborating chief Kiley is a masterpiece. Set up conclusion is also one of the best.

Ok there one guy who always writes reviews here but he find everything stupid, I won't name him he and other people who read reviews will know who he is. First of all about this episode, it's not the caldwell wife who is millionaire, it the commissioner 's wife who is wealthy and the jeweller didn't say that the commissioner's wife was 36, but the Caldwell wife. Before you say that something is stupid, make sure that you watch it carefully. And if you find every Columbo episodes stupid, don't watch it, and go watch "the golden girls " or " made about you " reruns you ass. Ok I am done with that moron, about this episode, that always been and still is one of my favourite episode of Columbo. The story is great, the direction is great, I like the way Columbo develop his investigation. The ending is great too, no doubt that guy will be find guilty. Anyway I blowed my gasket at the beginning, but, hey, when someone says and write stupid stuff, someone got to call him or her out.

This series - particularly the earlier episodes - is certainly one of the best ever. I missed this particular one when originally aired, but saw it several years later, and then again recently. (Like Andy Griffith's "Andy Griffith Show" and "Matlock," this is a program for which one is grateful for the reruns available on cable today.)

This particular program, though, is the one I'd probably label my all-time favorite - among many, including those with the ubiquitous Columbo "killers," Jack Cassidy, George Hamilton, etc.

One of the greatest mistakes in the entire history of film was the casting of Peter O'Toole in the lead for "Man of La Mancha," rather than Richard Kiley, whose Broadway performance in this role was among the most acclaimed, ever. Kiley was an immensely- and diversely-talented actor, who should be more prominently recognized and remembered among his peers than he is.

His portrayal as the egotistic, manipulative, greedy deputy police commissioner, and the villain of this episode, is outstanding. The "shtick" of this series, of course, included the usually smooth, urbane, well-dressed, cosmopolitan qualities of the villains - contrasted markedly with Columbo's being the opposite in all of these.

This aspect is certainly apparent here - and the only somewhat puzzling part of the story is the seeming absence of Kiley's knowledge of Columbo's abilities beneath his sloppy exterior - and he would have certainly seen the records of the department certifying the lieutenant's significant abilities.

The main paradox in the history of "Columbo" was the ease with which he seemed to be able always to remain "under the radar," both within the department (even with those with whom he was most closely associated) and on the outside - despite having had to possess a better record for detection and solution of serious crimes than Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and Sam Spade - combined.

There is no way a review of a "Columbo" episode could be a spoiler. We know from the outset that Kiley is the villain here - however, Columbo's inevitable foiling his devious, wily superior, is perhaps the most clever in the history of this long series.

When Hugh Caldwell has yet another fight with his wife it ends in tragedy as he accidentally kills her in a struggle. His first call is to his friend and neighbour Mark Halperin, who also happens to be a senior policeman. Halperin advises covering it all up and helps Hugh set up an alibi in a bar, while he goes to his house and covers up the crime before "spotting" a man in the Caldwell property from his own bedroom window. The police find Mrs Caldwell dead and investigate the crime, believing it to be the work of a burglar who has been working in the area recently. Columbo doesn't totally accept this though because of a couple of small things that don't ring true and sets out to try and prove what he thinks he knows.

As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula – we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Saying this is not a spoiler – it is simply what happens in all the films. With this strict adherence to formula it is usually down to several factors whether or not the Columbo film stands out or if it is just average. Here the "deed" of the title is a murder and the friend involved in the "deed" is none other that the Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Halperin. This sets up quite a good story early on that only has a few weaknesses – specifically the steps that Halperin takes later in the film, they seem unlikely, too impulsive and risky for such a powerful man. It might have worked if he had been written as arrogant or cocky but he isn't, he is smart and scheming. Once you get past these though the film is strong mainly because it gets the cat'n'mouse stuff spot on.

The attempts at comedy fall flat, nor do they manage to add to the character of Columbo – the broken car and the desire for a cheap watch strap aren't funny and don't add anything to the story. However what director Gazzara does do well is frame a shot and he gives the series a gritty feel of the streets at times that was a fresh addition. More than that though, he gives the cast plenty of close ups and nobody takes more advantage of that than Falk himself. He is Columbo through and through but the close ups put him under pressure to show a lot in little things on his face, and he does it well. We can see his doubts, his thought process and even see it in his eyes as he sets and then springs the trap. It is a fine performance and it is these shots, rather than the broken cheap goods he owns, that tell us about the character. Kiley is a good match for him and plays his character well – a worthy accomplice who doesn't play with Columbo but does think he has played the player. The film is at its best when the two men are on screen together. The support cast are less able; Murphy and McGuire are OK but they are never more than passable and I kept wanting them to step aside for the main event.

Overall this is an enjoyable Columbo film that is built on a typically strong story. The actors rise to this and produce some good interplay and director Gazzara helps them out a great deal by directing with an actor's eye, dishing out close-ups and clever shots that add to the performances. A strong film in the generally strong series.

Mark Halperin (Richard Kiley) is contacted by his frantic neighbor, Hugh (Michael McGuire). It seems Hugh and his wife were fighting (again) and this time he lost control and killed her. However, despite Mark being the Deputy Police Commissioner, he does NOT contact the police but helps Mark cover up his crime. Is this because Mark cares about his friend? No....he's a dirt-bag and envisions a scheme like the Hitchcock film "Strangers on a Train"! But with his boss being involved with murder, how can Columbo cut through the lies and find out the truth?

The way Columbo works out this crime and proves the killers' actions is truly unusual and I liked the novelty of the episode and solution. Overall, very well written and one of the better episodes.