This clip features Peter Falk as 'Columbo,' television's most beloved detective. Columbo crashes a college class to investigate a murder and confront the potential killer. The clip is from season 1, called 'Blueprint for Murder,' and it was the only one directed by Peter Falk himself.
When a big-time architect murders a Texas millionaire, he hides the body to protect his new construction project. The murderer, Elliot Markham played by Patrick O'Neal, teaches at a university. Columbo sits in the back of the classroom to shake things up.
After class, he confronts Elliot and asks him a few leading questions in typical Columbo style. Elliot asks Columbo to answer his questions because he hasn't had any dinner. Columbo digs in his pocket, pulls out a small bag, and comically says, 'I can offer you some raisins.'
Columbo asks Elliot why the murder victim, Bo Williams was so mad at him that he smashed the plans for a new construction project he was financing. Elliot tells Columbo that he went ahead with the project without his permission with the support of Bo's wife.
Elliot is very calm about his answers and seems unflappable. He sticks to the story that Bo disappeared. Columbo tells him they found Bo's car at the airport, but he wasn't on any flight lists. His car was filled with country music cassettes, but his radio was tuned to a classical music station. Columbo asks, 'Why would a man who only ever listens to country music have his radio tuned into a classical station?'
Columbo pauses and again comically asks, 'You want a half a candy bar?' Elliot refuses, and Columbo digs further, telling him that he noticed Elliot's classical music collection in his office. Elliot is trying to leave but turns to address Columbo by saying 'Guilty!' calmly claiming over 100,000 people in the city like classical music.
The killer is rattled, and he knows Columbo is hot on his trail! As the investigation proceeds, Columbo catches Elliot trying to hide the body and arrests him. TV's best detective cracks the case again with his humor and wit!
Peter Falk is worth another look, and Amazon has a good amount of it. A purchase through our link sends a few cents our way and helps keep the lights on.
