A Deadly State of Mind

A brilliant psychotherapist kills his lover's husband at her home and tries to make it look like a robbery, but when she fails to convince the police with their story he uses hypnotic suggestion to murder her too. However, he has not reckoned with Lieutenant Columbo's tenacity in exposing the conspiracy and getting his man.

One of the best of ABC's classic Columbo mysteries, expertly written by Peter S. Fischer, and beautifully played by the cast. Hamilton is ideal as the suave, amoral research psychologist, seducing his patient purely for her literary worth to him. A very young Warren is fabulous as the flaky, child-like rich man's wife, unable to make the cover story stick despite her best efforts. And Falk is simply unforgettable as Columbo - affable, idiosyncratic, painstaking and brilliant. As with the best of these mysteries, it is the details of the investigation that make viewing so pleasurable - the broken flint, the thin tyre track, the jewellry in the stocking and the final masterstroke with the blind man. A fine example of some of the best TV crime drama ever made.

George Hamilton stars as Dr. Mark Collier, who is writing a book on hypnosis, which is his specialty. He is also romantically involved with one of his patients, a Nadia Donner,(played by Lesley Anne Warren) who has a troubled mind, and a jealous, hot-tempered husband that Collier must kill in order to protect himself and Nadia in their beach house after his attack. Unfortunately, he doesn't claim self-defense, but instead instructs her to repeat a story of masked intruders being responsible. Lt. Columbo(Peter Falk) doesn't buy it, forcing Collier to drastic action that may be his undoing... Clever episode with effective performances and a nice twist ending.

It isn't the best of the lot, but A Deadly State of Mind is a very strong episode. It is efficiently directed and constructed story-wise, with some nice writing, striking filming, excellent music and the pacing I had no problem with at all. The acting is great, Peter Falk is outstanding as always and George Hamilton out of the two episodes he starred in gives the better one of his performances here, his murderer is arrogant, yet likable and is a strong opponent for Columbo and they are well served with some juicy scenes with them together. Lesley Ann Warren was also lovely beyond words as Nadia. Overall, a strong episode benefited by some great acting and efficient directing and plot. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Columbo episodes always seem to have the same formula. Especially since we know who does the crime after the first ten minutes, we love surprises in how Columbo catches his man or woman. In this episode, George Hamilton shows off his acting talents. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the man can act very well. He plays a psychiatrist who kills the husband of Lesley Ann Warren's character rather than ruin his reputation. The fun with Columbo episodes is that the crime is never too gruesome or motives are never too dark. Anyway, the doctor's patient is the prime witness and he gets her in the worst way. The crime happens at a beach-front estate secluded from neighbors and traffic. Anyway, watching Columbo catch him is particularly worth it especially sine you don't feel for Hamilton's character as a victim.

Dr Mark Collier is psychiatrist and Nadia Donner is one of his patients. As well as this she is also the subject for his upcoming book and his lover, despite being married. When Collier goes to visit Nadia he is confronted by her husband who threatens to ruin him by exposing the affair with a patient as well as Collier's drug use. A struggle ensues and Collier kills the husband with one swift blow from a poker. Realising what they have done Collier and Nadia come up with a story about two burglars breaking in, after which Collier slips away. Columbo gets the call and, although her story has some merit, he cannot help but see some holes in Nadia's description of events.

Having seen so many of the Columbo films it is always a nice surprise for me to stumble onto one I've not seen before. So it was with this one which I vaguely recall from childhood but mustn't have seen in decades. I must admit a certain bias to the Columbo formula (as well as Perry Mason) because when I was a kid my father worked from home and took breaks to watch these series on afternoon TV – so, although I think they are great TV treats I do have reasons other than the films themselves. Here everything is pretty much to formula. The murder is one of instinct rather than careful planning but other than that the usual block are all in place. Those crying "entrapment" and picking holes will find plenty to criticise here but personally I found the plot really well built if you go along with it. Although there is less time available for Columbo's investigation than normal, it is still engaging and fun to watch him pick away, right down to the usual trap at the end.

The cast have fun and, as is often the case, the film is made by the lead pair. Falk wears Columbo like a second skin and is as good as always, making it look so easy to be unimpressive on the outside and sharp as a knife on the inside. Hamilton is a strong opponent for Falk and has the arrogance that many of the best guests have. They work well off one another and they bring the best out of the material. Support is good from Warren and a slightly larger than normal turn from Kirby.

Overall an enjoyable Columbo that does everything you would expect from the series. The formula is all in place with good material and both Falk and Hamilton step up into it – working well individually and together. Fans will like it and others might be won over by it.