A MATTER OF HONOR is a 1976 episode of the COLUMBO show that sees the crumpled detective heading south of the border to engage in some vacationing. While there, he becomes involved in the suspicious death of a former matador, and is forced to become a sleuth once more in order to solve the case.
These Columbo "fish out of water" stories are always fun to watch and A MATTER OF HONOR is no exception. I thought the story might be unpalatable, considering that bullfighting features predominantly and all, but the topic is presented in such a way as to focus on the facts rather than to celebrate or condemn the 'sport'.
Peter Falk gets to have fun with an easy role in this one, and there's more humour involving his clapped-out car. The script, which is well-paced and celebrates Mexican culture, throws in some references to a previous story, TROUBLED WATERS. Ricardo Montalban (STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN) is an effectively snotty villain, and popular Hispanic actor Pedro Armendariz Jr. is likable as the Mexican cop. Watch out for a cameo from Jorge Rivero as the chauffeur.
These Columbo "fish out of water" stories are always fun to watch and A MATTER OF HONOR is no exception. I thought the story might be unpalatable, considering that bullfighting features predominantly and all, but the topic is presented in such a way as to focus on the facts rather than to celebrate or condemn the 'sport'.
Peter Falk gets to have fun with an easy role in this one, and there's more humour involving his clapped-out car. The script, which is well-paced and celebrates Mexican culture, throws in some references to a previous story, TROUBLED WATERS. Ricardo Montalban (STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN) is an effectively snotty villain, and popular Hispanic actor Pedro Armendariz Jr. is likable as the Mexican cop. Watch out for a cameo from Jorge Rivero as the chauffeur.