MovieChat Forums > Columbo (1971) Discussion > The most subtle joke in Columbo

The most subtle joke in Columbo

posted 8 months ago by nyctc7 (41502)
11 replies | jump to latest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uGoKaYvpc8

That's funny! There's not much humor in Columbo, but this is a good one.

I've seen them all and I'm racking my brain; which episode is this from? May I guess Any Old Port in a Storm? I'm trying to think of blondes who have a missing boyfriend/husband.

Speaking of humor... I can't help it when I watch Leslie Neilson in his two episodes (Lady in Waiting and Identity Crisis), I keep waiting for the slapstick punchline! Airplane! and the others just cemented him in my mind as a slapstick comedy actor! I just saw him in Bonanza last week, and he really was a fine "straight" actor too!

[–] nyctc7 (41502) 8 months ago

It's in the description: Yes, Any Old Port in a Storm. She's the girlfriend of Donald Pleasence's brother (the victim). Peter Falk has said that Donald Pleasence's character was one of his favorite villains.

Lady in Waiting is another one of my favorite episodes.

[–] davebuffalo (3041) 8 months ago

I promise I didn't see the description on YouTube, so I'm proud of myself for guessing correctly with such a short, out-of-context snippet!

I'm not crazy about Lady in Waiting or Identity Crisis; both are lower on my list of favorites.

[–] parkerbot (5756) 8 months ago

The one where he says "three eyes" looking at something is better than two is probably tied with this one.

[–] nyctc7 (41502) 8 months ago

Someone mentions that in the comments, and I don't recall that one. Turns out (as you must know) the line is not from the original run, but the 1990s ones, in this case A Trace of Murder. I'm not sure I ever saw it, or if I did, I just don't recall it.

https://columbophile.com/2018/07/07/does-lieutenant-columbo-have-only-one-eye/

[–] parkerbot (5756) 8 months ago

They're worth seeing.

I realize they're not all that for some folk but it's still Columbo and Peter Falk ain't making any more episodes.

[–] nyctc7 (41502) 8 months ago

I've seen some but don't recall them well enough to cite a favorite. I really do need to binge-watch them all some day.

[–] VinceD (7019) 8 months ago

The 90's Columbo's were my introduction to the show and character and I have great memories of watching them with my Dad, who loved the 70's show.

As an adult I've gone back and watched the 70's Columbo's and they are, for the most part, better films/episodes. Also, they seemed to have better guest stars than the 90's run.

Still, there's a few gems in the 90's era. I'm hoping Columbophile does a ranking of the 90's series eventually.

[–] davebuffalo (3041) 8 months ago

Same here VinceD, the first episode I ever saw was the 1991 Columbo Goes to College, and after that I would catch the older reruns that played on AMC. I was soon hooked, and once the DVDs started getting released, my wife bought me a new DVD every year for Christmas, until my collection of 69 episodes was complete. I have now seen every episode at least three times.

I find it easier now to stream them off Paramount, Netflix, or whoever has it at the time, rather than fish though my many DVDs.

[–] VinceD (7019) 8 months ago

"Columbo Goes to College" is one of my favorites of 90's run. That's one of the episodes I re-watch regularly. It kind of has the feel of the 70's era.

[–] davebuffalo (3041) 8 months ago

I agree it's one of my favorites too. It holds a special place because it was my first episode, but still it has a similar "trick" used in A Friend in Deed, which is probably what you mean by that "70's feel". And the one perp Cooper always reminds me of Richie Cunningham!

Robert Culp also had a surprisingly very minor parent role after starring in S1Ep2, Death Lends a Hand, another one of my favorites. And also S2Ep3 The Most Crucial Game.

I'll tell you what my biggest treat was, when I finally received Season 1 on DVD, and got to watch Prescription Murder. For some reason, this one never was allowed on AMC, and I had never seen it before. I love that episode. Not calling out for your wife. Overweight luggage going to Mexico but not when returning. The gloves.

Not such a treat were the Mrs. Columbo episodes that were included with later season DVDs.