I know that many of you won't care about this, but in this episode of "Columbo" you have a cameo by Edith Head...the 8x Oscar winning fashion designer. There just aren't that many opportunities to see and hear Ms. Head. For old movie fans, this is reason enough to see the show. Add to that Anne Baxter, Mel Ferrer and Kevin McCarthy and you've got a pretty incredible cast in this show!
Nora Chandler (Baxter) is a super-famous aging actress. She also happens to be a dandy murderer! Early on in the show, she blows up her assistant and it appears that she meant to blow up someone else instead. But killing folks is like eating potato chips to Chandler, as soon she tries another killing and it turns out killing is something she's pretty good at doing! Columbo eventually figures it all out...and you realize HE is the better actor!
This is a neat behind the scenes episode where you get to see how films are made. Add to that the cast and a few interesting twists and you have the recipe for a better than average installment in the series.
By the way, this is a very, very minor quibble. On TV and in movies, cars blow up MUCH faster and easier than in real life. The exploding gas tank happened way too quickly to be realistic....but again, it's a very minor problem.