PLOT: An arrogant motivational research specialist (Robert Culp) uses subliminal cues in a short film to murder a nemesis (Robert Middleton).
COMMENTARY: This was Culp's third and final appearance as an antagonist in the 70's run, but he would return for "Columbo Goes to College" (1990) as the father of the murderer. By this point Falk and Culp are very familiar with each other and work well together, which is reflected in the interesting interactions of their characters. Indeed, this installment features the best "I know you know I did it, but you can't prove it" interplay since the pilot "Prescription: Murder" (1968).
There's a long grocery store sequence in the middle and an amusing golf course segment in the last act. While I don't buy the reliability of the subliminal images, it makes for a good story.
A mysterious woman named Tanya Baker is mentioned several times, but she's curiously never shown or heard. The end credits list hottie Arlene Martel as the character, but the part was obviously cut. The fools.
GRADE: B
COMMENTARY: This was Culp's third and final appearance as an antagonist in the 70's run, but he would return for "Columbo Goes to College" (1990) as the father of the murderer. By this point Falk and Culp are very familiar with each other and work well together, which is reflected in the interesting interactions of their characters. Indeed, this installment features the best "I know you know I did it, but you can't prove it" interplay since the pilot "Prescription: Murder" (1968).
There's a long grocery store sequence in the middle and an amusing golf course segment in the last act. While I don't buy the reliability of the subliminal images, it makes for a good story.
A mysterious woman named Tanya Baker is mentioned several times, but she's curiously never shown or heard. The end credits list hottie Arlene Martel as the character, but the part was obviously cut. The fools.
GRADE: B