[ we are never going to agree on the profit versus quality argument but you may also overlook the fact that his brother is a no-good playboy and spendthrift. He ONLY WANTS THE CARSINI MONEY TO INDULGE HIS HEDONISM. The contrast in the two bros evokes sympathy for the more admirable one
I'm not necessarily overlooking it, I'm just saying the script makes too many mistakes that prevents the clear "the brother deserved it" angle from ringing true. Not having Adrian be conscientious enough to recognize that a business has to be a *business* first (isn't that the argument we keep having to concede when companies won't release certain titles on DVD or CD?) in terms of fulfilling a basic purpose is strike one against him and strike two is the preening elitism that comes off from Adrian when he boasts of his superior breeding. I suppose it also doesn't help when you've got a guy like Pleasance in the role who has never exactly been a guy who has played sympathetic types in the past (save for the TZ "Changing Of The Guard" episode and "The Great Escape") and the victim is Gary Conway, the likable guy from "Burke's Law" and "Land Of The Giants". I have read that Ross originally wrote the part of Adrian for Victor Buono, who I can more easily see as a charming eccentric letting his obsession with the wine business get the better of him and perhaps able to exude likability in the process.
I dont think anyone wants Carsini to get away with murder. IT is just that he has likeable qualities and is not a cold blooded murder without redeeming value.
Believe me, when i see the amount of money he spends on fancy wine, i choke. But, he isn't hurting anyone with his foolishness. I guess it all comes down to this: this particular ep really developed the murderer as a three dimensional interesting character, which makes it a unique ep in a unique show!
My vote for weakest Columbo killer in terms of the classic episodes would be Vera Miles. Just not enough of a strong presence in the part, which would have been better served by the likes of Joan Collins.
My vote for weakest Columbo killer in terms of the classic episodes would be Vera Miles. Just not enough of a strong presence in the part, which would have been better served by the likes of Joan Collins.
I watched that one recently and actually liked her more than previously! The poison ivy scene and her reactions were quite amusing.
I'd vote for Jose Ferrer, who disappoints in "Mind Over Mayhem", which is surprising, since he was such a tremendous actor.
My vote for weakest Columbo killer in terms of the classic episodes would be Vera Miles. Just not enough of a strong presence in the part, which would have been better served by the likes of Joan Collins.
I find that the central (though not only) factor in my enjoyment of an episode is usually the relationship with the killer, and I just felt Vera Miles and Peter Falk had no chemistry at all. Johnny Cash is the opposite, in my view. He is really inadequate in his scenes without Columbo, but something about the two actors seemed to click, and his performance improves by a lot whenever Falk is in the scene.
Another reason I rate "Death Lends A Hand" highly is the Gil Melle score. I really like how his S1 music attempted to give Columbo a distinct theme and I wish he'd stayed with the show after S1. The show never really found true distinction in its music afterwards IMO.
Re-watched Death Lends a Hand again recently and was surprised at how disturbing the montage scene as viewed through Culp's glasses actually was! It's such an inventive way to show how he disposes of the body and covers his tracks--and the music during the sequence was effective in support.
Re-watched Death Lends a Hand again recently and was surprised at how disturbing the montage scene as viewed through Culp's glasses actually was! It's such an inventive way to show how he disposes of the body and covers his tracks--and the music during the sequence was effective in support.
Ray Milland also does effective work as the victim's husband in "Death Lends A Hand". He was much better here than as a killer the following year in "Greenhouse Jungle" (when for that role he went back to wearing his "you're not fooling anyone with that" toupee).
I love how Melle's music plays over the end of "Death Lends A Hand'. One of my favorite musical moments in the series. Melle's theme worked best for those more up-tempo ending moments that would end with Columbo walking away, whereas Goldenberg better served an ending where the payoff was something more "cold" like "Suitable For Framing".
Re-watched Death Lends a Hand again recently and was surprised at how disturbing the montage scene as viewed through Culp's glasses actually was! It's such an inventive way to show how he disposes of the body and covers his tracks--and the music during the sequence was effective in support.
yes, i discussed this scene in detail in my Pullitzer Prize winning article for Film Score Monthly Online (see my profile for details)
Did anyone else notice a very young Jeff Goldblum in a crowd scene outside an embassy when Columbo is after Hector Elizondo? It was weird. He's there for about a half a second. I think that was season 2, right? I forget and i just watched them within the last week. And i hadn't realised Hail to the Commodore, which i watched last night, was directed by McGoohan, so even when he ain't on the show he's invloved with putting Columbo through hoops. That was a good episode i thought, though a bit odd, a bit Agatha Christie at the end though.
I love how Melle's music plays over the end of "Death Lends A Hand'. One of my favorite musical moments in the series. Melle's theme worked best for those more up-tempo ending moments that would end with Columbo walking away, whereas Goldenberg better served an ending where the payoff was something more "cold" like "Suitable For Framing".
Yes, the upbeat unofficial Columbo send off music is quite good--certainly better than "This Old Man"!
In "Short Fuse", Melle's music--particularly at the 48 minute to 53 minute mark-- is reminiscent of his later work for Kolchak. There's also some jazzy stuff around the same time that wouldn't sound out of place on Melle's Primitive Modern album from the 1950s.
I love all 1970s Columbo, but the first three seasons are the best IMO.
