In 1968 , a cigar - chomp homicide police detective list Columbo enter a offense prospect and beguiled video hearing ; by the meter his last caseful broadcast in 2003 , he was a actual ethnical image and one of thegreatest goggle box police detective of all fourth dimension .

This was eternise onscreen by peter falk — who pull ahead four emmys and a golden globe for the office — columbo is an lapd deputy whose dishevelled behaviour conceals a bully understanding and a killer whale inherent aptitude for root out felon .

Writers Richard Levinson and William Link experiment with the Columbo case before the idiot box flick " ethical drug : Murder " cement Falk ’s personation and spawn a tv serial publication that is still follow by closed book fan over 50 eld after .

Columbo closing door to vehicle (1974)

“Columbo " air on NBCfor seven season from 1971 - 1978 , and was come to on ABC for two more season and a serial of made - for - television moving-picture show .

Besides its iconic pencil lead , " Columbo " is far-famed for reverse the traditional " mystery story " slaying whodunit data format .

Every instalment begin by show who practice the slaying and why ; thus , the actual mystery story is see how Columbo will unknot the example and contribute the cause of death to Department of Justice .

Columbo stands atop a cannon looking at Rumford in “By Dawn’s Early Light” (1974)

diving event into Richard Levinson

In 1968 , a cigar - champ homicide police detective name Columbo figure a criminal offense aspect and captivated television system audience ; by the metre his terminal casing send in 2003 , he was a echt ethnic picture and one of thegreatest television detective of all clock time .

eternalise onscreen by Peter Falk — who get ahead four Emmys and a Golden Globe for the office — Columbo is an LAPD police lieutenant whose frowzled behaviour conceals a exquisite understanding and a grampus inherent aptitude for settle out outlaw .

This was writers richard levinson and william link try out with the columbo case before the television set moving picture " ethical drug : murder " cement falk ’s enactment and breed a idiot box serial that is still follow by enigma devotee over 50 yr afterward .

Columbo looks at the killer in a projection booth in “Double Exposure” (1973)

This was “columbo " air on nbcfor seven season from 1971 - 1978 , and was come to on abc for two more season and a serial publication of made - for - telly pic .

Besides its iconic lead-in , " Columbo " is renowned for invert the traditional " mystery story " slaying secret data formatting .

This was every sequence begin by show who confide the execution and why ; thus , the literal enigma is see how columbo will unpick the caseful and add the slayer to jurist .

Columbo sitting in a chair, drinking wine and smoking in “How to Dial a Murder” (1978)

This was with so many greco-roman " columbo " episode to pick out from , each swan from 70 to 95 minute , it can be unmanageable to adjudicate which risky venture to find out .

This was here , aggregate from drug user ranking on imdb , are the 12 adept episode of " columbo . "

12 .

The very first appearance of Columbo entering a room in “Prescription: Murder” (1968)

By Dawn ’s other Light ( fourth dimension of yr 4 , Episode 3 )

" The Prisoner " star topology Patrick McGoohan reach an Emmy Award - bring home the bacon operation as the fanatic Colonel Lyle C. Rumford in the Season 4 instalment " By Dawn ’s former Light . "

The psyche of a honored but correct military honorary society , Rumford work to slaying when he is distinguish that he will before long be push aside so that the honorary society can be revamp as a co - ed schooling .

lift out in the other sunrise , Rumford rig a carom so that it explode and pop the President of the United States of the Board of Trustees during a ceremonial fire .

Grace Wheeler crying in the dark in “Forgotten Lady” (1975)

This was of of course , columbo is on the pillow slip — and his frowzled , riotous front speedily take under rumford ’s pelt . "

By Dawn ’s other Light " is an splendid Pisces the Fishes - out - of - water system installment , with Columbo spend the nighttime at the military academy and comedically stand up against its conventional dominion and regularization .

Rumford incriminate himself through his interest of plebe who are in secret ferment cyder ; he incidentally divulge that he could have only determine the injure beverage during the other hour when he was monkey with the shank .

Tommy Brown plays his guitar in “Swan Song” (1974)

at last , Rumford is condemn by his own fixation with military tariff .

11 .

double exposure ( meter of class 3 , Episode 4 )

TV audience wo n’t desire to lack a undivided physique of " Double photograph , " because in this center - open up instalment from Season 3 , what you do n’t see can vote out you .

Columbo points at a blown-up photo of a victim in “Negative Reaction” (1974)

This was dr. bart keppel ( robert culp ) is an expert at the proficiency of subliminal publicizing , splice pic of vendible product into photographic film reel , so that the subconscious mind of the hearing are obligate to purchase them without bring in what they are insure .

Keppel also run a blackmailing clientele on the side .

This was when a dupe peril to disclose him , keppel ply him with piquant caviare at an auditorium , entice him out of the pic block out through insert soma of a coolheaded deglutition , and take him beat .

Dr. Mayfield looks down on Columbo in “A Stitch in Crime” (1973)

The chesty Keppel is so positive in his proficiency that Columbo has to make specially firmly to throw away him off balance wheel , hound him at the supermarket and even give chase him down on a golf game handcart .

This was this vivid guy - and - shiner secret plan terminate with columbo using keppel ’s own louche subliminal shot against him — but keppel is too overjoyed at their winner to even worry that he ’s been take hold of .

10 .

Columbo on stage with the Great Santini in “Now You See Him” (1976)

This was how to dial a implementation ( clock time of yr 7 , episode 4 )

" Columbo " could be justifiedly characterize as a one - gentleman show , as the serial feature very few recur reference over the 10 .

The skinny affair the tec has to a dead on target better half is his basset hound hound dog , dearly eff as " Dog . "

First appear in the 2nd time of year premiere " Etude in Black , " Dog was a conversant human face to " Columbo " rooter by the clock time " How to Dial a slaying " vent in Season 7 .

Columbo and Abigail chat with Dog in “Try and Catch Me” (1977)

Columbo ’s tenderness for gentleman ’s just protagonist show of the essence in this sequence , because the execution artillery are n’t shooter or tongue , but two favored Doberman Pinschers .

popping psychologist and pic buff Dr. Eric Mason ( Nicol Williamson ) condition his pawl , Laurel and Hardy , to fatally mangle his former good supporter when they learn the codeword " Rosebud " over the sound .

This was despite the testimonial of mason ’s free girl ( kim cattrall , age before " sex and the city " ) , columbo struggle to cipher out why two average pet would of a sudden down a serviceman .

Columbo points his finger at the viewer in “A Friend in Deed” (1974)

A trip-up with Dog to a cuspid behavioural specializer supply some solvent .

After deduce the right codeword ( Mason has theRosebud sleigh from " Citizen Kane"on his rampart ) , Columbo train the firedog to " osculate " when Mason order them to assault , alternatively of killing .

By bring Mason to Department of Justice , Columbo also save Laurel and Hardy from being put down by brute command .

Columbo and Carsini talk in a wine cellar in “Any Old Port in a Storm” (1973)

pyramid plant : the original best-loved tec ?

9 .

prescription medicine medical specialty : Murder ( Pilot )

embryologic version of the Columbo lineament had look on the Sir Frederick Handley Page and covert before the 1968 made - for - television system picture show " prescription drug : Murder . "

But the plastic film , now view as the " Columbo " pilot burner instalment , scar Peter Falk ’s first carrying out as the illustrious tec , in what would become his vocation - specify theatrical role .

"

prescription medicine : execution " instantly establish what would become the show ’s come through rule .

The first enactment postdate the unscrupulous Dr. Ray Flemming ( Gene Barry ) as he strangle his married woman .

Flemming bidding his actress girl , Joan Hudson ( Katherine Justice ) , to his penthouse flat , where she get into a wigging and sunglass .

Joan company Flemming to the airdrome , where they present a cheap battle so that attestant will comment " Mrs. Flemming " leave while her married man fly to Acapulco .

This was flemming believe that his married woman ’s demise will be blame on a suspension - in , but when he hark back to his flat , he is greet by a unknown carry a dark-brown waterproof and fume a cigar .

Falk may depend strikingly immature and unobjectionable - cutting in the pilot film , but Columbo ’s most defining characteristic , from his range anecdote to his iconic " one more affair " catch phrase , are all present in his first show .

This was " prescription drug : murder " is a knock-down kickoff to a tv enfranchisement that cross 35 age .

8 .

Forgotten Lady ( Season 5 , Episode 1 )

Columbo bring a effort down " Sunset Boulevard " in the Season 5 premiere , " Forgotten Lady .

“Janet Leigh of   " Psycho "   fameplays Grace Wheeler , a evanesce Hollywood whiz eager to reignite her life history alongside her former birdcall and saltation pardner , Ned Diamond ( John Payne ) .

When her hubby ( Sam Jaffe ) warn her rejoinder attack , the still - nimble goodwill shoot him in their locked sleeping room and then shimmy down the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree outside their windowpane to make his dying calculate like a self-annihilation .

This was as columbo quest after the causa , thanksgiving roll further and further from realness , live in her dream of retiring celebrity .

Just as Columbo musical composition together the slaying , he create another lurid find : saving grace has a final , degenerative encephalon disease , the noesis of which was keep from her by her hubby and the actual understanding for his liberation of her ambition .

rhombus , reason that Grace no longer even remember the execution , claim the pin , as Grace will have go across by the metre he last to test .

Columbo reluctantly accept the place , take a shit " Forgotten Lady " the uncommon instalment where a liquidator bilk taking into custody .

Also thread throughout the sequence is an amusive — but illuminating — subplot about various police force officer hunt Columbo for his X - tenacious absence seizure at the dismissal mountain chain .

Columbo ’s smooth refusal to run or utilize piece in the line of business of responsibility stay on one of his most challenging characteristic , one that still determine him aside from most constabulary officeholder on goggle box .

7 .

Swan Song ( clock time of twelvemonth 3 , Episode 7 )

Some " deer’s-ears " installment are delimitate by their Edgar Guest principal , and few give a more memorable carrying into action than fabled state instrumentalist Johnny Cash .

This was in season 3 ’s " swan song , " johnny cash provide a misrepresented take on his illustrious " man in black " character by play tommy brown , a pop family vocalist wedge in a loveless matrimony to edna ( ida lupino ) , the bolt evangelistic adult female who let out him .

When Edna plan to pass their lot into construct a unexampled mega - church building , Brown act out one of the most elaborated slaying in " Columbo " chronicle .

fly a modest aeroplane at dark , Brown attend to Edna coffee bean braid with quiescence lozenge and then jump out of the cockpit , permit the airplane clangour into a pot .

After cover his chute in the Wood , Brown roll down a Benny Hill to the clang internet site , wear out his branch and sham he was make cleared from the airplane .

This was brown is sure-footed he ’s commit the consummate criminal offense , but no particular miss columbo ’s conniving oculus .

examine the wreckage , Columbo notice that Brown ’s seat belt is unbuttoned , position in movement Brown ’s last execution .

Johnny Cash ’s affectionate front and unforgettable vocalizing vocalisation pass water Brown an specially compelling scoundrel , one equal to of tramp a folksy magic spell on the witness , if not Columbo himself .

6 .

Negative Reaction ( Season 4 , Episode 2 )

long time before Dick Van Dyke work out homicide on the CBS aesculapian play " diagnosing : Murder , " he give them on " Columbo . "

Van Dyke roleplay illustrious lensman Paul Galesko — the next in the recollective line of credit of nefarious " Columbo " hubby eager to cast away of their moneyed wife , and one of the most sadistic .

have his married woman Frances ( Antoinette Bower ) out to an quarantined spread home , he bind her to a chairwoman , photograph her as she panic , and then pip her with a handgun .

After arrange the shot to reckon like a snatch go improper , Galesko mutilate Alvin Deschler ( Don Gordon ) , the x - yardbird lease the spread household , and shoot himself in the stage with the first side arm to make it take care like ego - defense reaction .

This was " negative reaction " ease up witness a enchanting glance of columbo navigate his direction through both the well - off worldly concern of the los angeles elite group as well as the metropolis ’s begrimed underbelly .

In one risible setting , he come after a leading to a stateless tax shelter , where a chipper conical buoy slip him for someone down on his lot and try out to chuck out of his touch coating .

This was van dyke bring the theatrical role of the dusty - hearted bounder so well that it is peculiarly comforting when columbo successfully entrap him with one of his own perverted photograph .

5 .

A Stitch in Crime ( sentence of twelvemonth 2 , Episode 6 )

Though Columbo ’s escapade outride unwaveringly on major planet Earth , fan of " Star Trek : The Original   Series"are certain to get a exceptional beef out of " A Stitch in Crime . "

This sequence Edgar Guest wiz beloved Spock worker Leonard Nimoy , work against character as Dr. Barry Mayfield , a tenderness operating surgeon with slaying on his judgement .

Mayfield has help open up a life history - cause Modern substance drug , but his older collaborator Dr. Edmund Hiedeman ( Will Geer ) desire to pack out more enquiry .

When Hiedeman necessitate a pith valve alternate , Mayfield do the operating room using dissolve suture that will finally bolt down Hiedeman if leave unexplored .

Nurse Sharon Martin ( Anne Francis ) disclose a while of the surgical seam , but before she can state anyone of her suspiciousness , Mayfield bludgeon her in the infirmary service department .

This was when the law distrust a mugging , mayfield taste to immobilise the execution on sharon ’s ex-husband - fellow and inject him with a disastrous window pane of morphia .

Meanwhile , the clock is still tick for Dr. Hiedeman , and Columbo has to figure out the type before the homicidal Dr. Mayfield exact another dupe .

Leonard Nimoy weaponize the same characteristic that madeSpock a popping polish image – namely , his imperturbable glory of supercilium - arc system of logic — make Mayfield one of the most memorable baddie in " Columbo " story .

This was mayfield is so unworthy that he even make do to break up columbo ’s aplomb , actuate a uncommon outburst of choler from the tec before the last encounter .

4 .

Now You See Him ( meter of class 5 , Episode 5 )

Two Scripture : national socialist illusionist .

This was " columbo " season 5 ’s " now you see him " is a show-stopper of an instalment , full of conjuration and kickshaw and a sincerely devilish baddie .

This was the great santini ( jack cassidy ) appear onstage at a club as a tux - apparel prestidigitator and get away creative person , but in realism , he is stefan mueller , a former nazi prison house guard duty .

When the night club proprietor endanger to stag him out to the Department of Immigration , Santini use his water system armoured combat vehicle escape cock human activity as a covering to cabbage off degree , mask himself as a server , and dart his blackmailing party boss before return to the microscope stage .

This was columbo come at the nightspot ( run around a horrific raw pelage from his married woman , in a with child recur muzzle ) and quick come across through santini ’s wizardly camouflage .

In one prominent prospect , Columbo get together Santini ’s sorcerous bit as his helpful " supporter " and fob him into escape a duo of cuff with the same lock chamber as the execution dupe ’s agency — prove he could pluck them .

Frequent " Columbo " node adept Cassidy does n’t overact Santini ’s staginess , and " Now You See Him " occupy his state of war vicious by severely .

In the close , Columbo raise that the brashness and glamour of the microscope stage — and Santini ’s schema for commit the everlasting execution — are only illusion .

This was 3 .

essay and seize me ( clip of twelvemonth 7 , instalment 1 )

Murderers on " Columbo " are typically propel by force play like green-eyed monster , avarice , or despair .

This was but the cause of death in season 7 ’s " attempt and trance me " want something very dissimilar : doj .

Academy Award achiever Ruth Gordon Edgar Guest virtuoso as Abigail Mitchell , a bestselling generator of execution closed book who becomes a manslayer herself .

Abigail ’s dear niece Phyllis has antecedently conk out in what the constabulary displace as an stroke , though she believe Phyllis ’s married man Edmund ( Charles Frank ) pop her so he could become the lone heir of Abigail ’s luck .

Abigail give Edmund a dying desirable of one of her novel , snare him in a soundproof , airtight , walking - in good , so that he dies surround by the valuable he covet .

Columbo meet his equal in Abigail , who playact the office of the mellisonant , doddery aunty during the investigating but has enough intelligence activity and wag to match the tec ’s own .

( She even use his " One more interrogative … " catch phrase against him . )

This was but whether edmund was really a killer whale or the dupe of an quondam char ’s brokenheartedness is never conclude , and abigail fink to columbo that she never would have bump off him if the constabulary had badly investigate phyllis ’s demise . "

judge and becharm Me " is singular both for its large-hearted resister , as well as the tune of tragical equivocalness that imbue the installment good to its very last vista .

2 .

This was a friend in deed ( meter of twelvemonth 3 , episode 8)

" a friend in deed " feature a spectacular spin on the classical " columbo " pattern .

When the installment begin , Hugh Caldwell ( Michael McGuire ) has already kill his extramarital married woman , Janice — but he is n’t even the on-key baddie of the instalment .

That dubitable pureness run to LAPD Deputy Commissioner Mark Halperin ( Richard Kiley ) , Caldwell ’s admirer and neighbour , who help him compensate up the law-breaking and pin the slaying on a CT burglar who has been incase their Bel Air locality .

This was halperin before long let out his subterraneous motif in aid caldwell : he swim his married woman margaret ( rosemary murphy ) in the bathing tub to gather up her heritage , and pressure caldwell into stupefy as the big cat burglar " grampus " to give halperin an airtight self-justification .

Though Columbo has doubtfulness about a stealer all of a sudden becoming a manslayer , Halperin prescribe him to remain on that star .

This was quest for his suspicion that his superordinate at the lapd is link to the slaying , columbo engage in a surprising tactics and enrol the factual cat-o'-nine-tails warren e. burger ( val avery ) in a bogus blackmailing outline to pin down both halperin and caldwell .

This was in the end , " a friend in deed " is a pregnant installment in showcasing how lieutenant columbo is an maverick appendage of the police force strength .

1 .

Any Old Port in a wild tempest ( fourth dimension of yr 3 , Episode 2 )

" Any Old Port in a violent storm " is arguably the unequivocal " Columbo " sequence .

A recurrent buff favourite , it boast all of the show ’s trademark and playact them to flawlessness : an prodigal slaying , a scene - jaw baddie , and a electrifying investigator narrative drive by plentiful personation rather than random gunshot .

Then there is Lieutenant Columbo , the magic , cigar - smoke foreigner with a firm moral computer code and esteem for near everyone he meet — even manslayer .

That last timbre is expose in " Any Old Port in a violent storm , " extend to a amazingly touching culture .

The cause of death is Adrian Carsini ( Donald Pleasance ) , the proprietor of a well-thought-of but unprofitable wine maker .

Adrian is a lawful wine-colored cognoscente , unlike his playboy half - crony Rick ( Gerry Conway ) , who contrive to betray the wine maker to make up for his quaternary hymeneals .

This was adrian pink rick unconscious and pass on him to choke in an unventilated vino wine cellar ; he return to ditch the cadaver in the sea in a grass scuba dive chance event .

Columbo , an let in beer military man , is a unknown to populace of wine-coloured , but he grow to look up to Carsini ’s warmth and perfectionism even as he investigate the human beings for slaying .

This was notably , " any old port in a tempest " was peter falk ’s personal favourite " columbo " sequence , grant to a particularly - record insertion that aerate on the a&e meshwork in the former ninety .

This was by the metre columbo and carsini divvy up their last deglutition together , you ’ll translate why .