Initially, I wanted to create a thread specifically about Columbo but then decided to broaden the subject 'cause I love Sherlock Holmes too. In fact, I proudly hold the title of a man who read ALL of canonical novels and short stories about Sherlock Holmes written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It's all started in junior/middle school years when I found in my father's collection book with Sherlock Holmes short stories. I was in love ever since. My favourite novel is unsuprisingly The Hound of Baskervilles, favourite short stories - The Man with the Twisted Lip, The Adventure of the Norwood Builder, The Adventure of the Three Students, The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans, The Adventure of the Dying Detective, His Last Bow, The Adventure of the Three Garridebs and some others. Sherlock Holmes always attracted me as a character who is very cold, closed-off, non-emotional but deep down has a heart of gold. For example, there's a wonderful moment in Three Garridebs when Watson gets shot and Holmes genuinely worried for his life and was ready to shot down the bad guy right there. His constant berating of Watson never fails to bring smile to my face. There's even a joke of Holmes criticising Watson's writing efforts which reaches meta level when you think of it as Doyle making fun of himself. It's a joy to see two men friendship grow throughout the course of the books - even though Watson's severely lacks smarts (in comparison) Holmes learns to appreciate him as a faithul friend. Their final dialogue in His Last Bow (which has wonderful undertones of WWI being around the corner with Holmes spoiling German spy plans included) is a beatiful indication of that
For a long time I had no interest in checking out any other detectives 'cause was confident that Holmes is the best of them all. Probably, 'cause authour himself presents it that way - in the first ever SH novel - A Study In Scarlet Holmes laughs up other contemporary fictional detectives and openly calls them fools (kinda interesting if you consider this Doyle's own opinion). So I thought SH was the best detective genre has to offer ... until recently when I caught Columbo re-runs on TV. I liked it and my appreciation for Lieutenant was growing with each subsequent episode - much so that when re-run ended and I didn't manage to watch all of them I watched every one I missed with my mother (she liked it well enough too) via the help from the Internet. My favourites: Murder by the Book, Any Old Port In a Storm, By Dawn's Early Light, Double Exposure, Double Shock, The Bye-Bye Sky-High IQ Murder case, Columbo Goes To Guillotine, Columbo Cries Wolf, Ashes to Ashes, Columbo Likes the Nightlife. I guess, I dig Lieutenant so much 'cause he's so drastically different from SH. While Holmes is more of a romantic, somewhat fantastic character Columbo feels much more grounded with his uncamped hair and terrible taste for clothes. I also like that Columbo unlike Baker-Street detecitve has to work within the restraints of police department - he has to follow the procedure and has to catch the murderer even if his feelings more on his/her side than victim's. Whole "reverse" formula is great and allows for some interesting writing. And of course Falk's acting with all his mumblings, "one more thing", 'you know what bothers me?", rarely putting his act aside, constatnt smoking and piercing glaze is wonderfully brings character to life. May he rest in peace
Anyway, that was a way too long intro, but what are your favourite detective stories/books/movies/TV shows etc and why ?
Scratch that, now it's just Columbo thread
Bosch. Nuff sed.
I like the self aware, noir-pastiche of stuff like the Max Payne games and Sin City comics/films.
-Monk, tv-series
I love the main character and the actor's performance.
-Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Because I like old cartoons and Bob Hoskins.
-8MM
Basically a Lovecraft story without the supernatural (a quest for forbidden knowledge that'll ruin the person in the end).
Not sure if it's the right term but I love "dark detective" stuff. Supernatural or not.
-Seven
A bit similar to the one above.
-The Maltese Falcon
Don't remember anything but I think it was about Bogart playing a detective looking for a statue.
Quote from: [cancerblack] on Aug 02, 2021, 08:51:53 PM
I like the self aware, noir-pastiche of stuff like the Max Payne games and Sin City comics/films.
I played the first one, and I remember that instead of traditional cinematics you had noir comic panels. It was a nice touch. 🕵
I need to watch Twin Peaks
Oh, I also like Psych for the memes, and raw chemistry the lead actors share. Be warned, it's a comedy.
Also wait how the f**k has nobody mentioned The X-Files
For me it's Columbo.
I watched the show when it originally aired. It was part of a three some show series. One week "Columbo" then "McCloud" then the following week "McMillian & Wife". I have all the seasons of Columbo on DVD. Before that some not all on VHS. I also love how on the episodes the supporting actors are recycled into different roles. One time a police officer another episode a hot dog vendor. Kinda like James Cameron has his favorites. ;)
You have excellent taste in villains Kraden. The episode Jack Cassidy played a magician is one of my favorites. Robert Culp is another one of my favorite actors playing a villain. Favorite episode hard to choose. "Try and Catch Me" one of my all time favorites.
I am a huge X-FILES fan but consider that Science Fiction
The "Endeavour" series for a detective is probably next.
For procedural's "The Closer" is my all time favorite.
This all began with me watching Basil Rathbone & Nigil Bruce as Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Kraden you would enjoy the CSI season 5 episode 11 "Who Shot Sherlock".
I really loved Donald Pleasance as Adrian Carsini in Any Old Port In A Storm. It fascinates me how much I liked him as a person even though he commited probably one of the show's most gruesome murders (I find suffocation to be one of the scariest ways to go) His growing friendship with Lieutenant is a joy to watch and final scene is truly beatiful. I can easily see Columbo visiting him in prison
Jack Cassidy as Ken Franklin in Murder by The Book has much more despicable motives (mostly greed) but Cassidy has such a captivating personality that I almost wish he would've gotten away with it. I liked him in Publish or Perish and Now You See Him but unfortunately felt that in the first one his character was kinda shoved to the side by episode's mind-bending plot and the second one didn't make most of magic theme - for example,I wish there had been some ambiguity whether or not he was actually in that box submerged in water. Murder By The Book is all Cassidy and that's why I love it so much
If Columbo had ever needed to have his own Moriarty he would've certainly been played by Robert Culp. I love him in Double Exposure. I love how he's an equal to Columbo in terms of smarts - so much so that Lieutebant essentialy cheats to get him. I don't recall there being single moment when Dr. Keppel was truly caught by suprise by any of Columbo's questions. He's cold and smug but I feel like he earns his smugness (unlike Dale Kingston in Suitable for Framing or Beth Chadwick in Lady in Waiting)
Weirdly enough, I think my enjoyment of
Columbo Goes To Guillotine is to a great extent caused by how much Elliot Blake resembles Oram
(https://i1.wp.com/columbophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Guillotine-Blake-2.jpg?resize=527%2C398&ssl=1)
(https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/billycrudup.jpg)
Or is it just me ?
Spoiler
I also dig his taste for leather:
(https://yaokino.ru/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/494full-columbo-columbo-goes-to-the-guillotine-screenshot.jpg)
(https://i1.wp.com/columbophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Anthony-Andrews.jpg?resize=491%2C393&ssl=1)
Did you know that Soviet Sherlock Holmes (played by great Vasiliy Livanov) is the best on-screen portrayal of the character ever ? Even Brits admit it !
(https://n1s1.starhit.ru/50/91/be/5091be57bfbb72027e1c530c6b34b692/600x400_0_d5aed6f8e34924a0cdc2e0e2189a012b@600x400_0xac120003_19077964551563273082.jpg)
Spoiler
At least Russians claim so
Kinda sad that he thinks of Ukranians as fascists and is pro-Putin
Quote from: [cancerblack] on Aug 03, 2021, 10:30:24 AM
Oh, I also like Psych for the memes, and raw chemistry the lead actors share. Be warned, it's a comedy.
Also wait how the f**k has nobody mentioned The X-Files
I love Psych. So disappointed when they took it off Prime. I was halfway through the penultimate season.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPlT0zPUEAA0ifm.jpg)
I want that thing up my wall
Quote from: Kradan on Aug 05, 2021, 04:30:06 PM
Did you know that Soviet Sherlock Holmes (played by great Vasiliy Livanov) is the best on-screen portrayal of the character ever ? Even Brits admit it !
https://n1s1.starhit.ru/50/91/be/5091be57bfbb72027e1c530c6b34b692/600x400_0_d5aed6f8e34924a0cdc2e0e2189a012b@600x400_0xac120003_19077964551563273082.jpg
Spoiler
At least Russians claim so
Kinda sad that he thinks of Ukranians as fascists and is pro-Putin
He looks a bit like Alec Guinness.
(https://i.ibb.co/f8cDw29/MV5-BMTIx-MTA5-OTI2-M15-BMl5-Ban-Bn-Xk-Ft-ZTYw-Nj-Ew-Nj-U2-V1-UY264-CR13-0-178-264-AL.jpg)
Ben Kenobi looks weird without facial hair
Started watching Twin Peaks. That does count as a detective story, right ?
Quote from: Kradan on Sep 23, 2021, 05:05:18 AM
Started watching Twin Peaks. That does count as a detective story, right ?
Sort of. There's definitely a detective story going on there, at least in the beginning. Regardless, it's a brilliant show, one of my favourites. I have the tie in books as well.
Interesting article trying to prove that Columbo isn't as good as people remember
https://columbophile.com/2022/02/27/columbos-biggest-mystery/ (https://columbophile.com/2022/02/27/columbos-biggest-mystery/)
Even Sherlock Holmes is against us :-\
I've seen fascism - and it didn't took me long to see it in Ukraine (https://www.kp.ru/daily/27370/4552804/)
https://youtu.be/uTS17vwzxu4 (https://youtu.be/uTS17vwzxu4)
Isn't Donald Pleasence wonderful ?
(https://i.redd.it/orlxeyag6ru81.jpg)
Courtesy of Twin Peaks subreddit
Ok, ok, let me write this one down, Do you have a pencil ? I forgot mine, my wife says I gotta pay more attention to my belongings. Thank you. Ok, what did you say her name was ? Laaaaura ... Laaaaura Paaalmer, is that it ? Got it. Is that her photo ? Would you mind me taking it ? Such a beatiful girl, very sorry to hear that, sir. You know, I got a nephew, a very young one, you know. He's engaged and his fiance looked very much like that beatiful girl. Gee, isn't that something ? Alright, sorry to disturb you, Mr. Palmer, I know, I know, it's late and you probably want to be left alone for the moment and to get some rest and here I am asking you all this questions. I'm sorry, sir, it's just the formalities, nothing to worry about. I'm very sorry to bother you. Alright, I'm leaving, is that the door I came in ? Have a good night sir, Oh, just one more thing ...
My mini-review of "Columbo Likes The Nightlife" (2003)
Spoiler
This might sound controversial to some but I think this is nearly perfect way to conclude the series. It has such a beatiful sense of melancholy, it briliantly captures just how much time has passed, how much things have changed. Columbo's most known for his 70s adventures - back when everything was so hopeful and bright. Sure, people got murdered from time to time but it seemed more like an exception to the rule than the rule itself, something that disturbes the normal order of things. And murderers themselves - there's always a sense of class to them, they didn't want to get their hands dirty, they'd rather hit their victim with a stone to the head or use a gun with silencer than strangle or cut their bellies open with a knife. Murderers dressed nice, drove nice cars and lived in nice houses
Things are much different at the beginning of XXI century though. It seems like every other person is a drug addict. Everything is ugly and drowns in the darkness. Setting of a nightclub itself is a stark contrast to the feel of "classical" Columbo. Owner of the club and the murderer in this particular case, Justin Price, seems like a nice enough fellow but there's almost no class to him. There's no grace to his actions- he just strangles his victim with his own bare hands screaming like a caveman. And then victim fells out of the window and gets lynched by his own radiator. Pretty gruesome way to go if you ask me. Also, the victim itself, unlike most of them from the "classic" era, has no likability at all, he spies on celebrities to find out their dirty laundry, blackmails his used-to-be partner, not very galant with women and just looks like a despicable person all around- so much so that I actually begin to symphatise with Justin for killing that bastard. I actually quite like Justin - yes he killed one man and covered up the murder of another but he's a pleasent person otherwise and he's quite dedicated to do everything in his power to make his nightclub the best one in town. His devotion to the thing he loves most actually reminds me of Adrian Carsini - my favourite Columbo murderer, brilliantly played by late Donald Pleasence
Columbo himself seems like a relic of an old era, he just doesn't fit in that world of computers and pagers. He still gets around fine though and is respected by the younger generation of cops. Columbo from revival era seems gets accused of doing too much goofy of straight-up stupid shit. I don't really see that here. Falk gives a great performance as a cool, level-headed Columbo that is not overly dramatic - he just goes around asking questions, collecting info and slowly tightening that net around Justin and his fiance. I like cat-and-mouse dynamic he has with Justin, the latter one starts as pretty friendly and open towards detective, slowly gets annoyed with him which culminates in his outrage when Columbo spoils his big opening night. That old grey-haired man seems like a genuine threat to his suspects which is conveyed by their performances - Mathew Rhys and Jennifer Sky do a great job playing the murdererous couple. The fact that Columbo actually gets some help from a mafia messenger just once again shows how twisted this world got. Final gotcha with a slow reveal of a dead body laying in a water tank in infra-red is great IMO and it's interesting seeing Columbo take some advantage of modern technology. Then Columbo just goes away - without any big fanfare or "This Old Man" playing in the background. But even that moment is somewhat soured when you remember that mafia is after Justin and Vanessa and they probably will get executed long before they get to the courtroom - Columbo's essentially doomed them
Just one more thing - I really dig the soundtrack of the episode and how it incorporates nightclub's tunes into the episode's overall dark and somewhat depressing atmosphere
Quote from: Kradan on Aug 05, 2021, 04:30:06 PMDid you know that Soviet Sherlock Holmes (played by great Vasiliy Livanov) is the best on-screen portrayal of the character ever ? Even Brits admit it !
https://n1s1.starhit.ru/50/91/be/5091be57bfbb72027e1c530c6b34b692/600x400_0_d5aed6f8e34924a0cdc2e0e2189a012b@600x400_0xac120003_19077964551563273082.jpg
Spoiler
At least Russians claim so
Kinda sad that he thinks of Ukranians as fascists and is pro-Putin
Gee. this aged well
Hot damn, this is so awesome
Columbo meets Russian Cleaning Lady
Kraden...you silly boi!
Just discovered that Robert Culp, actor who played several Columbo murderers, has also provided his voice for Wallace Breen from Half Life 2
https://half-life.fandom.com/wiki/Robert_Culp
#Mindblown
(https://cinemasentries.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/rsz_columboswansong.jpg)
Hot dang, that is one hell of a COOL poster !
"Hey little buddy...they still got you chasing those loose ends?"
Recently re-watched this one. The episode is worth a watch just for the scenes of Cash and Falk together, they play off each other rather well. Johnny Cash as Tommy Brown is probably one of the most problematic Columbo murderers. While I have nothing but sympathy for Adrian Carsini or Oliver Brandt or nothing but hatred for Dale Kingston or Milo Janus, I'm very conflicted on how to feel about Tommy. On one hand, he seems to be quite down-to-earth kind of guy and good to people he works with, his fame didn't make him go "I'm above all of you" . He never gets irritated or angry with Lieutenant and seems to genuinely enjoy his company,which is heartwarming to see. But, on the other hand, specific details of murder, his motivations and some of the things he does or says throughout the episode make it somewhat. .. uncomfortable to watch. I kinda like it though - that writters gave such a seemingly lovable man some darker shades of personality, that's what makes him stand out among the others
Quote from: Darwinsgirl on Aug 01, 2022, 06:11:34 PM"Hey little buddy...they still got you chasing those loose ends?"
"What does he mean, MURDER ? And why am I talking to someone from HOMICIDE ? "
As Columbo said at the end "Any man that can sing like that can't be all bad"
I like the scene with the plane crash investigator. Columbo points out the unbuckled seat belt,no ashes in flight kit. Simple but telling details. ;)
Lots of fun scenes
Luke "Chili...good isn't it...made with Squirle meat" :laugh:
There are some real life similarities to this story. Johnny Cash's wife June Carter Cash sang religious music. And Johnny had been to prison for drugs IIRC.
@Kradan what do you think is essential columbo
If you want some episodes titles, then I'd recommend Murder By The Book, Any Old Port In A Storm, Double Exposure, By Dawn's Early Light and The Bye Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case
So, guy who's running Columbophile blog (which I would highly recommend to anyone who likeßs Columbo) is going to publish a book- a collection of reviews for all of 45 "classic" Columbo episodes. What caught my attention the most was this cool as hell cover . I mean, just look at it. Amazing
https://columbophile.com/2022/08/28/columbophile-book-to-be-released-in-september/comment-page-1/
(https://i0.wp.com/columbophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CCfinal-coverART-2-mb.jpg?ssl=1)
Quote from: Kradan on Aug 31, 2022, 06:28:03 AMIf you want some episodes titles, then I'd recommend Murder By The Book, Any Old Port In A Storm, Double Exposure, By Dawn's Early Light and The Bye Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case
I would add "Murder Under Glass" (fun foodie episode) and
"Death Lends A Hand" one on my favorite Robert Culp episodes
I like "Death Lends A Hand" but I LOVE "Double Exposure". I feel like Culp got better and better with each episode he starred in and in DE he struck pure gold. "Cat-and-mouse" dynamic between him and Falk iin that episode is anongst series' very best:
Spoiler
(https://external-preview.redd.it/W9m3kbwEcGN53vd3_9gpiTw9aMSR1XyPWupUnnjTBHQ.png?auto=webp&s=e8399e1a26d506b318ad71dbfc802f39fe9f5f6f)
^^^^
Very clever ;)
Quote from: Kradan on Aug 31, 2022, 06:28:03 AMIf you want some episodes titles, then I'd recommend Murder By The Book, Any Old Port In A Storm, Double Exposure, By Dawn's Early Light and The Bye Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case
I mean Columbo is a 'mystery of the week' kinda show isn't it? Are there essential seasons to watch or would I have to cherrypick
Quote from: Immortan Jonesy on Sep 16, 2022, 09:26:21 PMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7X6OJYH7DE
The funniest thing is that nice lady will show up again in another episode as a murderer. Quite a change of career for a nun, right
@Local Trouble ?
Yeah, I kinda do
https://twitter.com/columbophile/status/1445564145781280777
Shatner shares his Columbo memories (https://columbophile.com/2022/10/30/world-exclusive-william-shatner-shares-his-columbo-memories/?fbclid=IwAR19vu-xaSZjEXTnR89gHKjZ1BgDVM86PdNrM0PG8wVQO_moMjDcgul-g0M)
https://twitter.com/DaisySpiers/status/1579381219506020352
(https://i.ibb.co/W6rtmVr/Picsart-22-11-05-09-32-58-391.jpg)
▶FINAL FANTASY WIKI: Colundo (https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Colundo)
Out of respect for the relative sanctuary this thread offers, I'll refrain from making my usual statement. Any other thread and it's fair game, though. >:(
Quote from: Local Trouble on Nov 30, 2022, 03:36:50 AMOut of respect for the relative sanctuary this thread offers, I'll refrain from making my usual statement. Any other thread and it's fair game, though. >:(
lol this so reminds me of the Church scene in
Highlander.
For more than one reason:
Spoiler
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/e518fead9ddadc59c9124eef519fc2f0/tumblr_p14zbrYLkh1rgaid9o2_540.gifv)
@Local Trouble, I'm very, v e r y, VERY sorry, I truly am. But ...
Spoiler
(https://scontent.fiev13-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/317359926_677104673788088_516226146935552777_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=FvmiHJl_izAAX-owHyy&_nc_ht=scontent.fiev13-1.fna&oh=00_AfBByFVVBrIKMUBHfg0LAZKU-lVFJ5bjU6y_bCZ-txopPA&oe=638C19FE)
We don't talk about that
https://twitter.com/screenrant/status/1619386616568487937
55 years ago today the first episode of Columbo aired.
I watched this with my family and we had many hours of enjoyment from the series.
Columbo is quite a different character in Prescription Murder. More direct and not afraid to roast his game
During spring-summer of 2021 me and my mom binged entire series. Ah, the memories. These were much simpler times
Well this thread certainly died out, didn't it?
Nobody watches Columbo, right ?
Quote from: Local Trouble on Nov 30, 2022, 03:36:50 AMOut of respect for the relative sanctuary this thread offers, I'll refrain from making my usual statement. Any other thread and it's fair game, though. >:(
https://www.reddit.com/r/Columbo/comments/15igyz7/memes_from_tonights_viewing_of_identity_crisis/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/Columbo/comments/15igyz7/memes_from_tonights_viewing_of_identity_crisis/)
(https://i.redd.it/divp1vbcs6gb1.gif)
(https://i.redd.it/l6adxobcs6gb1.gif)
(https://i.redd.it/cowswjbcs6gb1.gif)
(https://i.redd.it/byqkux9ao3ra1.jpg)
By Gabriel Hardman (Aliens Duest to Dust)
Name a modern movie that does shit like this (https://www.reddit.com/r/Columbo/comments/15n69gi/name_a_modern_movie_that_does_shit_like_this/)
Quote from: Kradan on Aug 07, 2023, 05:39:44 PMhttps://i.redd.it/byqkux9ao3ra1.jpg
By Gabriel Hardman (Aliens Duest to Dust)
Columbo is the superior detective.
I concur
https://twitter.com/THR/status/1706757182900019419