Any Old Port in a Storm (1973) review | The Columbo Episode Guide (S3, E2)

An episode aged like a fine wine.
I own nothing.
#Columbo #AnyOldPortinaStorm #PeterFalk #DonaldPleasence #EpisodeGuide #Review

[@CarlB_1962]

This episode makes it easily into my top 5 of the series. The chemistry between Peter and Donald is just phenomenal.

[@casanovafrankenstein8538]

As a die hard Donald Pleasence fan I think this is one of the greatest performances of his career

[@thomasthomas2418]

"Any Old Port In A Storm" is, to any Columbo fan, the high point of the series. The relationship between Adrian and Columbo is like no other. And the passion with which Peter Falk describes the episode is breathtaking. I was recently given a bottle of Beau Vigne 2018 by a friend. It was the most exquisite wine I have ever tasted and my thoughts went immediately to Adrian and his love of fine wine. Thank you for treating this wonderful episode with the love, grace and fondness it deserves.

[@mjanovec]

As entertaining as this story is, I have one nitpick. There is no way that a wine vault (especially one with stone walls) would get as hot as they said, even if there was a 109-degree day outside. Wine vaults are designed to protect against that happening. You’d need a greenhouse to reach the temperature they said it would take to spoil the wine.

[@WatchitforDays]

I LOVE this Columbo episode! And your review made me laugh :) You did such a great job. Makes me want to go watch the episode now. Having to do multiple takes when recording voice is painfully common for me. So, I got a laugh out of you sharing that as well.

[@schlockhorror5533]

Haha yes the blooper is this episode only scratches the surface of how many do-overs is required to get these things right! But it's always worth it in the end eh?

[@timi_ro]

Columbo reviewers unite! Love Your stuff "Watch it for Days"...yours too Schlock Horror!;p

[@johnraymond7176]

Enjoying both of these Colombo sites.

[@michaelbeusch3646]

Any Old Port in a Storm is my favorite Columbo episode, too. It's so ironic that Pleasance, who played so many villains in his career, plays one of the most sympathetic Columbo murderers. The episodes where Columbo sympathizes with the killer are among the best (Johnny Cash, Ruth Gordon) and this one is the best among those episodes.

[@MichaelC_22]

I love this episode so much that whenever I ask my wife if she wants to watch a Columbo episode with me, she says as long as it's not the wine episode again.

[@RewskOnTV]

Fun Fact: I’ve worked for a props company in north Hollywood, if you paid attention to the green rotary phone well that phone was used through many episodes and it got so iconic in the movie props industry it was used in many television shows in the 70s it made a few cameos through out the 80s until it’s retirement in the early 2000s anyways I got to hold that phone a few pieces were replaced like the cord and earpieces

[@asteverino8569]

I’ve watched this episode many times. It is full bodied and rich as a perfect Cabernet Sauvignon. Thanks for your great review. “Tits up”

[@gabisyderas1855]

I love that this doesnt have that flip where the murderer suddenly starts being rude, flippant and annoyed with Columbo

[@merfigNOW]

As always, great job--thanks! I think you nailed why this episode works so well. The dynamic between two very brilliant people in opposition, recognizing how sharp the other is; game recognizing game and all of that! Pleasence is amazing in this. He has such a grip on the character, he easily veers from chewing the scenery to pathos. We don't quite feel sympathy, but ultimately we understand how he let all of this get the worst of him. Falk is grand too. His reaction to the very kind compliment (spoilers), that he learns well is so very genuine. Lastly, in another universe, I hope there was a series spin-off of this episode, titled THE MARINOS! The ruthless and sexy family bought the company anyway but Donnie P is sprung on a technicality and goes about exacting his very special brand of over the top revenge! The tag? "Sixty-Nine cents has never tasted so good!" It lasted six episodes! Cheers! ;-)

[@nicholasschroeder3678]

My second favorite. Seen it many times. Over time I've come to find Adrain less and less sympathetic: he's really awful, actually. My favorite is the McGoohan one as the Colonel. Both have essentially the same character: mean and narcissistic and fanatical--but REALLY passionate about a way of life that they kill for, which makes them sympathetic, like Greek tragedy.

[@richardthorne2804]

Excellent review again. Yes I would say this is definitely in my top three. I just have to figure out what order.

[@paulfraser1971]

One of my fav episodes (and seasons). Just wanted to say I really enjoy these videos your doing. I've been RE watching columbo for decades... Can't get enough.

[@keithbrown8490]

As a fan of Pleasence I always enjoyed those few times he played a good guy. We all know he can do a great villain so when he gets a chance in his long career to play nice it's fun to watch what he can do with that too.

[@nicholasschroeder3678]

He is great, but he's clearly a villain here, not a good guy.

[@user-mf4rm4fj6l]

His brother is more villain, as long he was alive...@@nicholasschroeder3678

[@kevinb2844]

Thank heavens, you included the restaurant scene! Thank you for doing these… starts off my day great.

[@daveonline5749]

YES… The fans have been anxiously awAiting the return of the Schlock Horror! COLUMBO series… I actually have a funny story about Peter Falk. Now, when he was really in the thick of things with Columbo, this would’ve been maybe late 70’s early 80’s, he had booked a meet and great at a library near me and I decided to take off work to head over there and meet the man himself. Unfortunately, when I’d arrived, I learned that it had been cancelled because Peter had been in some kind of scuffle the night before with a drunken Dr Flemming fan who had thought Columbo was a docu series and a real detective LOL. Anyway, rumor has it that they got into a brawl and Peter, god rest his soul, had a bit of a blowout in the back end of his trousers while rolling around with the bastard. Nevertheless, he did make up for the cancellation by returning a month or so later. When I met him, I asked about the supposed incident that occurred the night of the original meet & greet. He gave me that classic Columbo look and told me to never trust a cheater. LOL. Thank you for uploading these, they make my day every time!

[@schlockhorror5533]

Holy blessed

[@thenicklas615]

One of the Best episodes of Columbo ever!!! "May our enemies never be as happy as we are today, salud" I believe Peter and Donald really enjoyed themselves working together in this episode similar to when Martin Landau teamed up with Peter Falk in "Double Shock". Wonderful episode. I felt for Adrienne when he realized all those precious wines were ruined. Funny thought I see a young Dr. Sam Loomis in Halloween lol.

[@mikebrowne477]

Masterful breakdown of one of the ultimate Columbo episodes. Thank you.

[@bronzeshield6382]

incredible episode

[@DavidMacDowellBlue]

10:10 OMG thank you! I have never once made that connection of WHY this proved anything! Thanks for explaining (I am usually excellent at these things)! Thanks so much! I agree this is one of the very best episodes.

[@cornflakesmitmilch8691]

Love. This. Episode!!!😍😍. Also love your columbo Reviews!! Thank you, pls keep doing these

[@TheMaineSurveyor]

I’ve waited for your review of this episode. I’m delighted to find that we share the same fondness for this port. Excellent review.

[@60march]

What a great review and you are so right about Donald Pleasence and it has to be factored in that he was from middle England so would be required to put on an American accent. He could stroke a fluffy white cat too.

[@johnfeeley7094]

I really enjoy your Columbo reviews & this one made me think how amazing & memorable DP's performance really was & Falk clip about his praise for him❤ I hope you are well sir & would love to see more episodes like Now You See Him & Exercise In Fatality, both actors/murderers are great in each of those🏆

[@lesliesawyer3224]

Well done. I wish you would've included his relief at being free of his secretary's scheme. Lol

[@villiamo3861]

Freedom is relative.

[@erickleefeld4883]

Interesting that Peter Falk told the Johnny Carson audience that they might not know Donald Pleasance, but he’s one of the best actors in England. Pleasance was in “The Great Escape,” “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” and “You Only Live Twice.” American audiences surely would’ve remembered him from at least those movies.

[@DouwedeJong]

I would have expected you to include two bits that stand out to me: 1) the funny bit when Columbo go tell the women that her husband to be is dead. Before he arrives, there is a party and this couple dances across the camera. 2) After Carsini is caught, he says something in the tune of. "What is the value of freedom?", implying that living under blackmail with his secretary who is now controlling him is worse than jail.

[@matthewsims9469]

freedom is purely relative

[@larrylangley9128]

This, my personal fav.

[@timi_ro]

One of the best episodes of our favorite detective!

[@louiscario6798]

Great episode. Great review.

[@insouciantFox]

These self-catches are my favourite kind of Columbo episode. The gotcha of all gotchas. Makes me think of a Scooby-Doo villain: "And I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for... for my own darned self!"

[@mlg4035]

Wonderful, wonderful synopsis of this, my favorite, Columbo episode!!!

[@pinball1970]

Loved it thanks. I'm not sure which is my favourite but this is high on the list.

[@davidg-ig8vj]

Yes, Donald Pleasance is amazing in this episode. You should also check out his movie roles, like The Great Escape and The Eagle Has Landed...

[@allybally0021]

Oustanding episode....this episode got me into Columbo in fact. Good commentary and analysis.

[@thomasthomas2418]

"May our enemies never be as happy as we are when watching 'Any Old Port In A Storm' ",

[@ELEKTROSKANSEN]

My favorite Columbo episodes are the ones where the villains are played by Star Trek related actors, but this one is next in line!

[@fastguned]

Pleas do more Columbo reviews - I enjoy them very much.

[@tazchanday2422]

Thank you my friend

[@GillAgainsIsland12]

I still rate the episode with Dick Van Dyke as one of the best. Van Dyke played an unusually convincing role as a villain considering that he was best known as a comedian.

[@kev3d]

I always thought it was so weird how the high-council of Wine overlords or whoever they are held their wine glasses by the foot, rather than by the stem which is way more stable and easier to swirl. Anyway, I really enjoy this episode despite the absurdity of Adrian's method of killing Ric. Assuming a wine cellar is airtight AND can get over 100+ degrees, Ric's body would have been a bloated, leaking, horrific mess after a few days. Columbo would have known there was a body in the cellar the second the door was opened because the scent would have been overpowering. But, it's a tv show.

[@MrDavey2010]

Superb episode. Pretty well perfect on every level.

[@toshibavoodoo]

Awesome!!

[@captaindreadeye6264]

You want some irony to pair with that Port? Ric's actor actually now owns a vineyard, possibly in LA. (I know it's in California, but can't remember where) Update: It is not in L.A.

[@johnmanier7968]

I don’t know of any vineyards in LA. I think the closest would be in Santa Barbara County.

[@michaelmckinley5708]

Nicely presented.

[@GenetrySolar]

why do you only have 700 subs? the quality of these videos is wonderful

[@schlockhorror5533]

Thank you for the kind words, glad you enjoy!

[@ianmangham4570]

Adrian "Do you even lift bro" 💪

[@jeffcoat1959]

When I see Donald Pleasance, I see Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

[@nothankyouYouTube420]

" What do you call it when your fiance dies?" Real bad luck ☹️

[@MultiSmartass1]

Donald Pleasance waa a first rate actor. He's not only terrific here in. this episode of Colombo but waa great in an episode of Mrs Colombo where He played a former Police Detective.

[@redringofdeathgamer]

Good in everything? Pumaman? Yes, Pleasants was good in Pumaman, too.

[@stevengalloway8052]

Number two on my list behind "A Friend Indeed"... 😏

[@leahtreck1083]

Agreed, one of the best - if not the best. Did you notice how natural and easy it was to watch without any background music noise? Greatest detective show ever ( imho ).

[@SL-vi4tk]

The days of cocktail lounge airplanes - where people got drunk, dressed nicely, and generally behaved themselves. Gone forever.

[@chance3771]

This episode and your review of it, is the absolute opposite of "LIQUID FILTH!!!!!" Would that make it solid gold, I wonder?😉😉🍷🍷🍷

[@master-kq3nw]

the best episode from me vineyard sea carsini ferrari 1967 haha columbo loved this episode most

[@GillAgainsIsland12]

Yes, hitting his brother until he was really dead would have saved him a lot of trouble but it risked leaving forensic evidence in his office. So, his plot was not that unnecessary.

[@stevengalloway8052]

😡 "The 69 cents a gallon Marino Brothers?!" 😆

[@ianmangham4570]

Poor old Peter, liked the bottle same as myself and Carson, Carson was an angry drunk

[@amuellerell]

My favourite episode too

[@ianmangham4570]

Nice one Schlock

[@Ailsworth]

I never understood how spoiled wine meant a dead body had been stored nearby.

[@matthewsims9469]

me too!

[@joeinc1236]

Easy top 5 Episode. Great Review!

[@virnamisra1657]

Car 69 N. Carsini 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 this old man 🎺🥁. Played 9

[@virnamisra1657]

That's my Almirah behind the shutting door Donald...

[@michaeljames4904]

If you love Pleasance be sure to check him out in _The Guest_ (1963), the film adaptation of Harold Pinter’s “The Caretaker” which Robert Shaw financed.

[@malcolmwarrilow]

When are the rest of the seasons going to be reviewed?

[@ianmangham4570]

Stunning episode Stunning, I was educated at Oxford you know ,bow 🙇‍♂️ before me if you must ♥ 😉 🇬🇧 🤡😀

[@manojshukla7354]

brilliant!

[@mikhailiagacesa3406]

My favorite episode.

[@steels-nm2il]

コロンボ最高！

[@tazchanday2422]

Nice takes lol

[@Longshot_NYC]

Have you seen the movie "The Caretaker"? Donald Pleasence is great in that movie.

[@SL-vi4tk]

Julie Harris... 5 Tony Awards

[@paulmartinson875]

Vito scotti is gold

[@ianmangham4570]

Hey Schlock, you gotta Glock?

[@user-mf4rm4fj6l]

06:30: I hope he rapidly gets rid of her.

[@RobinMarks1313]

I was going to argue Donald Pleasance wasn't the greatest actor in Puma Man. But, that was a terrible film and he's the diamond. So, I lost my argument before I started. He's a great actor, and goes full ham in Puma Man, but that's what he need to do.

[@kevanhubbard9673]

Why wouldn't you go diving when it's raining as you are going to get wet anyhow?

[@javiergilvidal1558]

I'd say you wouldn't go diving in stormy weather

[@ianmangham4570]

Rick deserved it ,the marino bro's were bad news .

[@nothankyouYouTube420]

Fuck yea dude good one

[@tyrant-den884]

Carsini is basically the opposite of Deloris Umbridge. You hate him. You hate everything about him. He has no redeeming qualities. And yet you love hame and you cry for him. Were he performed one iota less well the entire performance would fall apart; there was no other man for it.

[@gnolan4281]

So, are we half Irish & half American?

[@dontoverthink4766]

yeet

[@schlockhorror5533]

based

[@dontoverthink4766]

@@schlockhorror5533 hello there.

[@schlockhorror5533]

@@dontoverthink4766 i don't think so

[@starmanfaned]

Liquid filth!!!!

[@raymeedc]

The biggest problem with not only Columbo, but just about every other detective series, that being the fact that the “fact” that winds up exposing them wouldn’t hold up in court by itself without the killer always confessing at the drop of that proof challenged coin at the end.

[@rawn4203]

Def a good episode, and Pleasance is certainly outstanding here (as he always is) but far from the best episode ever.

[@billbutler7551]

NEVER PLAYED BEST.LINE.EVEN.FREEDOM.IS.RELATIVE