Requiem for a Falling Star

I have a special fondness for this particular Columbo episode, though I'm not sure why. It is very good, but there have been other Columbos that have moved a little faster. This one has a few interesting twists to the plot, but what is most enjoyable is the presence of Anne Baxter as a movie star, Nora Chandler, from Hollywood's golden age who now stars in a TV series. Kind of like Loretta Young, but with an entirely different persona. Mel Ferrer guest stars also, as does the lovely Pippa Scott. Scott plays Baxter's secretary, and Ferrer is a gossip columnist who seems to have some real dirt on Nora. He's also courting Scott, which Baxter is tremendously unhappy about. Nora is also getting some pressure from the studio. Nora has a cottage on the grounds with a fountain in the back - her late husband, Al, actually ran the studio. The present bosses want to sell off parts of the land, but Nora won't sell.

Falk and Baxter are funny together. He's initially starstruck - though I can't really agree with one poster on this board who thinks he wasn't onto her. He calls his brother-in-law George and has Nora say hello to him, and there is another cute scene with Edith Head.

It's a fascinating story, made special by Baxter and her chemistry with Falk.

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.

I know that many of you won't care about this, but in this episode of "Columbo" you have a cameo by Edith Head...the 8x Oscar winning fashion designer. There just aren't that many opportunities to see and hear Ms. Head. For old movie fans, this is reason enough to see the show. Add to that Anne Baxter, Mel Ferrer and Kevin McCarthy and you've got a pretty incredible cast in this show!

Nora Chandler (Baxter) is a super-famous aging actress. She also happens to be a dandy murderer! Early on in the show, she blows up her assistant and it appears that she meant to blow up someone else instead. But killing folks is like eating potato chips to Chandler, as soon she tries another killing and it turns out killing is something she's pretty good at doing! Columbo eventually figures it all out...and you realize HE is the better actor!

This is a neat behind the scenes episode where you get to see how films are made. Add to that the cast and a few interesting twists and you have the recipe for a better than average installment in the series.

By the way, this is a very, very minor quibble. On TV and in movies, cars blow up MUCH faster and easier than in real life. The exploding gas tank happened way too quickly to be realistic....but again, it's a very minor problem.

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.

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.