Requiem for a Falling Star

Frankly, when considering a "Columbo" plot revolving around a faded actress, the 1975 "Forgotten Lady," with Janet Leigh, is far more memorable than this exploration of 70s TV movie-making. The plot seems to borrow bits from various Hollywood sources, such as Shirley Temple and her bungalow at 20th Century Fox in the 30s, etc.

I always enjoy Anne Baxter's performances, but this comes across as a bit over-the-top. Granted, the script requires that she intentionally overact for Columbo, but at times, her supposed "natural" scenes are also a bit camp/vamp.

Even when this first aired in January, 1973, I knew who Edith Head was, and got a kick seeing her cameo.

Director Quine was also at the helm of my least-favorite episode, the one shown prior to this,"Dagger of the Mind." Both exhibit unnecessary scenery chewing, and stray from the formula that usually makes any "Columbo" episode a television classic.

Peter Falk as the ever persistent Lt. Columbo has a real conflict of interest. Pippa Scott the secretary of big screen star Anne Baxter is killed in a staged automobile wreck after she met sleazy tabloid columnist Mel Ferrer to offer up some proof on her boss. Ferrer is a real bottom feeder, even stooping to some shtupping with Scott to get a real bit of gossip about Baxter. The woman really has something to hide.

Columbo has two big problems with this case, first it looks like the target might have been Mel Ferrer who has a phone book list of enemies who'd like to do him in. Secondly the motive for Baxter doing the deed isn't obvious. Columbo will have to literally dig up the truth to clinch his case.

Kevin McCarthy and Frank Converse round out the list of guest stars in this episode. Baxter is both a sympathetic yet an egotistical suspect, not an easy thing to pull off yet she does it. Her fans will be especially impressed with this episode.

A Season 2 Columbo story that is primarily notable for it's success in straying slightly from the hitherto successful Columbo formula by installing a plot with twists relating to both motive and murder victim.

Anne Baxter gives a captivating, well-judged performance as a movie star in decline who realises that the blossoming relationship of her secretary and a persistent journalist could uncover her darkest secrets. Her deep-rooted desperation and selfish protectiveness are intriguingly conveyed in a story that is never quite what it seems: the viewer is not armed with all of the incriminating facts from the outset, so although it is not a who-dunnit, it is successfully sustained as a why-did-she-do-it.

Mel Ferrer also gives a decent performance as the journalist and his scenes with Baxter are consistently powerfully staged and purposefully developed.

There is a priceless scene too involving a cameo from real-life costume designer Edith Head, who gives Columbo a lavish tie from her rather vast wardrobe.

One other noteworthy and enjoyable sequence is when Columbo confronts the murderess near the end with the things that bothered him...

The script-writer Jackson Gillis expertly keeps things going at a startlingly frantic pace, and although the coincidence which helps Columbo solve the case is too coincidental, the strength in the plot, script and performances are too be admired, making this a little gem for the Columbo archives.

This otherwise average Columbo episode is redeemed by the charismatic performance of the great Anne Baxter. She's incredibly beautiful and steals every scene she's in. Her deliciously campy take on a Norma Desmond-esque movie queen is a pure delight. She even has a Desmond-like, eminently noirish name of Nora Chandler. Anyway Nora is being blackmailed and of course resorts to murder. Baxter and Peter Falk have a nice, edgy chemistry. Their back-and-forth is remarkable even by Columbo standards of detective and suspect. Whether she planned it or not Miss Baxter manages to upstage Peter Falk in every scene they're in together. Nice movie business backdrop, including a cameo by Edith Head. Old pros Kevin McCarthy and Mel Ferrer add support, though the Frank Converse character seems unnecessary. Richard Quine's direction keeps things moving along.

Requiem for a Falling Star I thought was a generally solid entry in one of my favourite shows of all time, but I don't consider it one of the better ones. It is another change of formula sort of episode, where Columbo for a while picks the wrong person, and it is mostly successful. I do have to agree though that Falk is made to act a little too obtuse here, and it really doesn't feel like him. While it is compellingly paced a vast majority of the time, I did feel some of the middle of the episode dragged, and the coincidence that helps Columbo I also agree is too much of a coincidence. However it is strikingly filmed, with an atmospheric music score, sharp writing that is at its best in the scenes between Columbo and Baxter and an interesting story where there is much more to it as it initially seems to be. Peter Falk is consistently wonderful as Columbo and Requiem for a Falling Star is no exception, Anne Baxter captivates as the edgy murderess, Mel Ferrer is wonderfully sleazy and under-appreciated Kevin McCarthy is good value. There is also a priceless cameo from Edith Head. All in all, quite good but not one of my favourites. 7/10 Bethany Cox