Negative Reaction

...who was disturbed by the treatment of Deschler (the ex-con)? I couldn't just dismiss him as a plot device. The poor chap was really trying to start his life over, doing things the right way, and then gets killed for his effort. Really evil.

I've seen many Columbo movies; Negative Reaction is exceptional. There's something eerie from the opening scene where Paul Galesko's [superbly played by Dick Van Dyke] wife Frances is heard through the darkroom door. Nagging, haunting.

The movie was made in 1974 with all the attitudes and charm of that period. Luckily, I taped this movie and will watch it many times to fully enjoy the actors. Dick Van Dyke is at his wits' ends once Colombo gets finished with him. That's what is so enjoyable about this fine movie.

The ending scene where Colombo sits on a desk is flawless. Of course I'm an extreme Colombo fan, but this movie reminded me somewhat of Dial M For Murder, although the plot and characters are totally and absolutely different. If there are other Colombo fans out there who have seen this particular movie, please feel free to contact me to discuss it.

NEGATIVE REACTION is a top-classic episode of classic COLUMBO which sees the scripting at the very best for this series. The guest star this time around is none other than Dick Van Dyke, who makes for a delightfully irascible villain whose short-tempered fights with the dogged detective are the stuff of high entertainment.

Van Dyke decides to murder the wife he's grown to hate, except this is a guy who doesn't do things by halves. He sets up a fake kidnapping and eventually commits a double murder in order to cover things up. It doesn't take long for Columbo to smell a rat and begin to hound the man at the heart of it.

NEGATIVE REACTION is notable for an increased comedy quotient with no less than three comic set-pieces to enjoy. The first is when Columbo drives his car into a junkyard; you can guess the result. The second is when he's mistaken for a vagrant at a soup kitchen, and the third is when a driving examiner shares a ride. I love Peter Falk's deadpan acting style in these comedic moments and all of them are priceless, making this one of the very best episodes.

I like this Columbo episode. It features American legend, Dick Van Dyke, as the prime suspect in his wife's abduction and kidnapping. His character is an accomplished photographer. He is fed up with his wife and sets up another man who is a paroled criminal to take the fall. Of course, this is Columbo and he will get his man or woman no matter what it takes. I love how Dick Van Dyke's character reveals his dream and nightmare to his wife who has no idea what she is in for. I love the scene with Joyce Van Patten who plays a nun who mistakes Columbo for a homeless person and wants to provide a better raincoat than the one he is wearing. That's another trademark in Columbo episodes, there is often light-hearted humor and Columbo always manages to use his charm and charisma to get away with looking so grim. Anyway, Columbo treats everybody with a kind of dignity that you wouldn't expect.

I saw Negative Reaction for two reasons, I love Columbo and I love Dick Van Dyke(Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Diagnosis Murder), so this episode was like a match made in heaven. One or two scenes go on for a little too long, but other than that it is a very solid Columbo outing with a lot going for it. It is striking to look at with great photography and locations, and the music is intense enough. The story is involving and well-rounded off at the end, and the script is well written with enough grit and humour to satisfy, especially the scene with Falk and Van Patten, one of my favourite Columbo moments. And the acting is great, Joyce Van Patten is hilarious and Peter Falk is exceptional as Columbo. But it was Dick Van Dyke who was the biggest surprise, he was wonderful in this episode, it is so different from his other roles. Here he plays a ruthless and conniving villain and he does it so well. Overall, a rock solid episode, with a great if different performance from a comedy legend! 9/10 Bethany Cox