You Tried to Contrive a Perfect Alibi, Sir | Columbo

Time for a big reveal! Lt. Columbo puts all clues together and explains to the murderer how he did it!
Stream Columbo now on Peacock: pck.tv/3oBPwpJ
Season 4 Episode 1 'An Exercise in Fatality': A health club owner murders one of his franchisees. Lt. Columbo is on the case.
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[@davidowen4816]

"Oh, that's my lunch, that don't mean anything" Classic.

[@RTG1031]

Yeah. Taking it with you when you are going to arrest a suspect 😁

[@davidowen4816]

@@RTG1031 Yeah, right in with the dead mans training shoes. Yum yum.

[@SECRETARIATguy224]

Agree completely. Those little bits of business like that are the things that Falk did that made Columbo so endearing. Such an incredible actor.

[@davidowen4816]

@@SECRETARIATguy224 Greetings Comrade, glad you also like the nuances and subtleties of this terrific actor. When I heard him say "That's my lunch, that don't mean anything" I smiled and thought oh yes it does Mr. Colombo.

[@SECRETARIATguy224]

@@davidowen4816 Yes! What's even more subtle there is that Falk chooses to have Columbo say, "That's my lunch, that don't mean NOTHIN'" instead of anything. Shows that Columbo isn't concerned about using proper English. . . he's got bigger fish to fry.

[@BTX61]

What’s great about this moment is that Colombo actively hates Janus... one of the few times he lets his true feelings be known. He enjoys nailing him.

[@jonclark1113]

Yeah agree. In hospital waiting room it got really personal which you never see. Great watch

[@frankcolumbo9615]

The other Murderer Columbo hated was Dr Mayfield aka Leonard Nemoy.

[@TheKingOfRuckus]

@@frankcolumbo9615 His last name is actually spelled "Nimoy". Not trying to be rude, just thought I'd tell you :).

[@austinteutsch]

@@TheKingOfRuckus Great job, Mr. KZbin police. Ha! Not trying to be rude, just thought I'd tell you.

[@misternewoutlook5437]

Yeah, there's quite a few like that. I think Donald Pleasance was the one murderer Columbo liked most (arguably Ruth Gordon) and regretted having to arrest.

[@isaacschmitt4803]

I love how Columbo portrays himself as a nice, bumbling idiot until he has the bad guy by the curlies. Then and only then he reveals just how dangerous he is.

[@halthammerzeit]

"Do you think Columbo's parents were related?"

[@oddbutfair8852]

@@halthammerzeit well let’s look at the evidence. They both have the same last name. They both are the same species. And one more thing, they call one another family.

[@jamesalley4061]

Robert Conrad rip

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

@@oddbutfair8852 by God, it's bulletproof.

[@bubbasouth69]

Just one more thing…

[@WatchingTrainsGoBy-PassingTime]

It just dawned on me. Columbo's as much a magician as he is a detective. Hiding gimmicks and props inside his "cloak" and waiting for JUST the right dramatic beat, to pull them out and amaze his audience. It's usually the killer. TA-DA. lol

[@BIX-18827DCM]

He comes to a location with his pockets full 😂🤣

[@glynnevans1851]

@@BIX-18827DCM He certainly does. Fab drama and Momentous acting. Peter Falk a one off and Top of his game !!.. Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK

[@macmcleod1188]

Yes also when he ties the lace and then says "is that true" and then he does the next lace he says "is that true" it's very magician like.

[@glynnevans1851]

@@macmcleod1188 Surely is Mac, Peter Falk was a very underrated actor and also was Momentous with his timing. I also liked Z Cars and The Sweeney plus Frost. May I ask were R U from sir. Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🤝

[@macmcleod1188]

@@glynnevans1851 I'm from Texas. I'm a "loud" MacLeod from about 1880 via Alabama.

[@BIX-18827DCM]

This show puts all modern detective shows to shame. I'm glued to my seat one minute, laughing hysterically another. True art.

[@Psych]

Yep!

[@prorespluscom]

Half a century ago. I wonder how many and which of today's programs will be treasured reruns in 2071?

[@mattshanley6755]

Not Star Trek Discovery lol

[@keithjones6023]

I watch Columbo regularly, it's still as great as ever, things have changed though. I watched Identity Crisis last night, there's a scene where Columbo sits down at a picnic table where there's a woman and her two daughters about 4 and 6, Columbo says to the little girls that they are very pretty, mother just smiled. These days he'd get a slap and be called a perv! 😄

[@keithjones6023]

@@prorespluscom I don't know but I bet Columbo will still be on! 😉

[@MrSamuelArthurRobertAllen]

"It could only be you, by your own admission it had to be you". Classic Columbo

[@kathconserv]

What if Stafford told Janus he has just changed into his GYM CLOTHES while on “the phone” with him.

[@_bryanfarrar]

@@kathconserv Columbo's proven using circumstantial evidence (cut tape, the bulb on the phone) that the phone call and everything that was said during it was made up. In other words his alibi is false. The beauty of this sequence is how the weight of all the evidence leads you to only one conclusion.

[@stellertonybeller1972]

@@kathconserv Colombo had to prove Stafford didn't change his own cloths he was already dead .... only Janus could of changed his shoes because he knew he was in his gym cloths before the body was discovered ......his statement and the shoe demonstration go hand in hand ....

[@IrradioMan]

@@stellertonybeller1972 but what if Janus said that during the phone call, the guy told him he put on his gym clothes and was going to work out?

[@stellertonybeller1972]

@@IrradioMan Columbo also proved the phone call was faked

[@jamieholtsclaw2305]

One of Columbo's signatures is he tries to annoy the villain so much it throws them off their game. It isn't even completely about the evidence as it is about Columbo manipulating the killer into showing their guilt.

[@jamesbaron8387]

I mean he very regularly tricks the killer into movking him or thinking he us an idiot just so they trip over their own feet

[@onemorething123]

One of the few times we truly see Columbo get angry, like when he confronted him in the hospital. Columbo didn't lose his temper much but when he did, it got your attention. Such a beautifully written character and I pray they NEVER reboot it and recast it. Peter Falk is Columbo. Period.

[@shanet5604]

Can’t do it with today’s technology,dna etc.

[@daletwin1]

The most angry I ever saw Columbo was when he was dealing with Leonard Nimoy.

[@onemorething123]

@@daletwin1 agreed- classic scene in one of my favorite episodes

[@daletwin1]

@@onemorething123 I watched the scene yesterday because I enjoy it so much. Columbo was livid and was not fooling around. He hated Leonard Nimoy's character and for good reasons. I also love the episode about the two attack dogs. ROSEBUD!!

[@onemorething123]

@@daletwin1 Oh yeah. That was a good one too. But I think the only episode I didn't like was 'Last Salute to the Commodore'. I know sometimes it's nice to switch up the formula or characters but that episode didn't really do anything for me.

[@jermainelong1843]

😁The foot on the desk is as much about dominance as it is about knot demonstrations.

[@victoriajarvis2260]

Fantastic insight. Absolutely on the money. I felt the same way too. - But that's why it worked: I wasn't as smart as you are (at the time...) but I felt it - visually experienced the territorial stamp. Good thinking, Jermaine Long.

[@rascallyrabbit717]

It's a power move perfected in Better Call Saul by Don Hèctor .. especially using a pen to flick off the mud onto the desk

[@leemoore9933]

Yeah I had a boss that would put her foot up on the desk as I sat across from her, but, I didn't mind.

[@jansnauwaert1785]

@@leemoore9933 She dominated you, that's what interested her.

[@leemoore9933]

@@jansnauwaert1785 Yes and I sure didn't mind.

[@kanyewestlive6905]

...and it's your perfect alibi, that's gonna hang ya." I dunno whether that is figurative or literal but I love the line either way!

[@FIREBRAND38]

Figurative. When this episode was broadcast (1974) the California Supreme Court had found the California death penalty statutes unconstitutional.

[@abloogywoogywoo]

@@FIREBRAND38 Shame what happened to California.

[@jediknight1294]

@@FIREBRAND38 they'd already moved to the gas chamber prior to then anyway.

[@Stad122]

@@abloogywoogywoo Ah yes, the government should be given the power to execute those they deem treacherous.

[@abloogywoogywoo]

@@Stad122 Not execute, cancel.

[@Croydondms]

What’s so wonderful about this, is that despite the fact that Columbo knows he is the murderer, and has the facts to prove it, he still calls him “Sir”.

[@NFL1976]

Congrats! You described the premise and description of almost every Columbo episode.

[@johnhein2539]

In one episode (at least) Columbo says, "You're under arrest, sir." After proving the guy was a pretty underhanded murderer. He still treats them with respect, even as they're going down. It's hard not to love a character like that. A lot of cops should take note

[@Vespyr_]

​@@johnhein2539 To them this is like a museum piece. Cops like this don't exist anymore.

[@knotwilg3596]

@@Vespyr_ Well it was a fictional character to begin with.

[@aeonise]

"What gives you the right?!" Columbo has this expression like he's thinking, "What? Obviously, the warrant I gave y-oh right."

[@margaretcole6264]

I really miss this show. I used to watch it with my mom. It was one of the few things we agreed on. She's been gone 30 years now.

[@keithjones6023]

I'm glad then that Columbo is always on my SKY planner 🙄

[@bhimsenluchooman4046]

@margaret cole. Keep a good memory of your dear mom in your heart.

[@margaretcole6264]

@@bhimsenluchooman4046 I try. Not many of them. That was one of the best.

[@bhimsenluchooman4046]

@@margaretcole6264 Dad and mom are a blessing to us from God. My mom Heaven homegoing to be with the Lord Jesus was on 05 March 2013. Dad is 89 since 05 March 2021. Jesus loves you and your dear family.

[@margaretcole6264]

@@bhimsenluchooman4046 yes He is!!

[@rr7firefly]

Seeing Robert Conrad's face deflating as Columbo takes him down is engrossing.

[@EdwardWLynn]

Peter Falk went on the tonight show, unscheduled, at the time that they were filming this episode. He was excited about what a great crucial clue they'd come up with for this episode. He said the crucial clue was something that (almost) everyone does every day. The audience was trying to guess what it was but none of them did. Anyway, as a big Columbo fan, it was fascinating to see how excited Falk was about what the writers had come up with for this episode.

[@kenwittlief255]

a square knot, and the bow knot people use to tie their shoes, are symmetrical. Take your sneaker and point it away from you and tie it. Then take your other sneaker and point the toe towards you and tie it (as if you are tying someone else's shoe). The knots are identical. The premise that Columbo figured this out seeing a mother tie a child's shoe, is invalid.

[@judyhopps9380]

@@kenwittlief255 in Peter's autobiography he admits this one's nonsense too :D

[@onesixfive]

That score really seals the deal. That cue was hit PERFECTLY. I almost get goose bumps when Columbo raises his voice and the score hits. For Columbo, this one was personal. Masterful acting from both gentlemen. Amazing.

[@Trepidity]

Great ending

[@paulronco9709]

Never ever get tierd of watching these, the ones from the 70s are real classics.

[@amandajstar]

Yes, agree. I ADORE the late 60s and 70s ones, but the 90s Revival shows are almost like self-parody.

[@paulronco9709]

@@amandajstar true they weren't to bad, ,however cant compare to the originals.

[@amandajstar]

@@paulronco9709 Some must have been better than others. But after trying the one about the magician and guillotine, and the one with the Dobermanns, hubby and I looked at each other and said 'let's not bother with the rest!'.

[@paulronco9709]

@@amandajstar I can understand that.

[@keithjones6023]

I watch Columbo regularly, and it is still as enjoyable. I watched Identity Crisis last night, in on scene Columbo sat down at a picnic table where there's a woman with two young daughters about 4 and 6, Columbo says to the little girls that they are very pretty, mother just smiled. These days he'd get a slap and told to f off you perv! 😄

[@firstnamelastname6171]

This is easily one of the top 5 episodes of the '70's Columbo series. The late Robert Conrad also was one of the best tough guy actors of all time.

[@pauldavies5611]

Completely agree.

[@Solitude47152]

Easily is right

[@johnhuddleston8647]

Yep. I used to watch The Wild Wild West when I was a kid. You don't forget a name like Artemus Gordon.

[@zerodreaming]

Columbo is based (loosely) on one of my favorite literary detectives, Petrovich, from Dostoyevky’s great novel Crime & Punishment, (even though Petrovich is a pretty secondary character). It was cool to learn of that because I loved both characters separately for a long time before I knew of their creative relationship. Columbo is most “Petrovichy” in early episodes like this, when they hadn’t made him too broad yet and he still had a little anger and fire inside. If you like this version of Columbo read Crime & Punishment for sure. It’s shockingly suspenseful and engrossing for something written in 19th century Russia, deeply philosophical but also just a blazing page turner at times. Really ahead of its time storytelling.

[@draconicfeline6177]

Oh good to know!

[@migmit]

Just so you know: Petrovich is not that guy's last name. It is a patronymic - indicating that his father was named Pyotr (which is commonly translated to English as Peter). Now, one of the ways Russians formally address each other, is that they use both first name and patronymic - so, that's how you get Porfiry Petrovich. Adding a last name to that is something that only happens in official documents. It's also possible to use last name only, with a honorific, like "gospodin (i.e. mister) Raskolnikov". Addressing someone by patronymic only is also possible, but usually happens between blue-collar drunks or, very rarely, as a form of vitriolic friendship. So, it would be much better to call this detective "Porfiry" (I don't think his last name was ever mentioned, so, that's what we have) than "Petrovich". BTW, in one other short story by Dostoevsky, "Bad Joke", there is a guy called "Porfiry Petrovich Pseldonimov" - the latter being his last name. However, he bears little resemblance to the detective and is most certainly a different person.

[@marijooneill8015]

Amen

[@lewisc215]

Nonsense

[@SBaby]

When you think of it though, Columbo is kind of a secondary character in most episodes (or at least a supporting actor). The main focus tends to be more on the killer than the Lieutenant. In fact, there are episodes where he doesn't show up until 30 to 40 minutes in (nearly halfway through the average episode, which runs about 85 to 90 minutes).

[@robertwheatley2471]

Have seen 'Exercise in Fatality' at least a half dozen times and it never gets old. In my Top 10 Columbo episodes from 1970-78, nothing after '78. The later ones were good but clearly were not *as* good. '70's Columbo was pure gold..

[@mrp3263]

1971-1975. The best

[@zyrrhos]

@@mrp3263 1972-1974. The sweet spot.

[@KalOrtPor]

I think "Columbo Goes to College" came closest to the originals

[@HerrEllsworth]

I think there is a flaw in Columbo's "shoe laces" conclusion. He said he ties his shoes like "right-handed people" with the first loop over the big toe. However, the victim was left-handed so maybe the big loop would still have been over the little toe.

[@MrDavey2010]

Perfect show!

[@puryakiani1145]

In an earlier scene, Columbo points out to Janus that his alibi doesn't wash. Aware that Columbo is onto him, Janus argues that because his recollection of his whereabouts at the time of the murder were verbal, he's going to deny them if they come up in trial. I believe that Columbo made sure to nail Janus using his own sworn statement against him in this scene. He probably could have figured out another way to crack the case, but this takedown felt far more personal. Phenomenal writing.

[@EmmettXIV]

8:37 "You tried to contrive a perfect alibi, sir... and it's your perfect alibi that's going to hang you" What a line

[@eschaton7813]

I know it's a weird compliment to give, but I always liked the audio in this episode -- and a lot of Columbo episodes. Something about the way the audio sounds when people talk is pleasant.

[@AshleyPomeroy]

There's an odd thing where 1970s TV shows seemed to overemphasise footsteps and foley noises. I've always wondered if it was meant to compensate for terrible TV speakers. 70s shows have a distinctive sound.

[@clintjones9848]

Those 70s footsteps kill my peeve lol.

[@Shand1982]

This whole scene is pure gold!

[@ivanppillay914]

Absolutely, although I would have loved to have seen seen an officer or two present (like in some of the other episodes); only to turn the screw tighter ...and the temperature as the boiling Milo squirms.

[@rosario508]

@@ivanppillay914 That’s one of the few things that bother me about Columbo. After he nails the suspect do they just go willingly with him to headquarters? And wouldn’t it bolster Columbo’s case if there was an arresting officer as a witness to the exposition?

[@janeporter818]

I love this episode.❤️ Colombo : “ You try to contrive a perfect alibi sir. And it’s your perfect alibi that’s gonna hang you.” Facts

[@odyDgonz]

"Go ahead, it's your fairy tale" 😂

[@hollikistvanfodrasza6937]

*at your*

[@keithjones6023]

Columbo was involved with many interesting cases, his memoirs would have been a best seller!

[@amandajstar]

Falk's own autobiography wasn't bad : )

[@keithjones6023]

@@amandajstar Thanks, yes I'm sure it would make very good reading, l think I'll search it out.

[@keithjones6023]

@@amandajstar Couldn't resist, books on order with Amazon Prime 😉

[@amandajstar]

@@keithjones6023 There you go. A light read with nice anecdotes is my recollection.

[@rjwiechman]

Nah, it would be better as a TV series.

[@Zakalwe76]

"That's my lunch, that doesn't mean anything" lol

[@audreyii5087]

"And I'll tell ya how you did it, if you're ontersted" is such a raw af line. The next time I play DnD, I'm gonna play an INT based Rogue and try to do Columbo stuff during the non-combat parts of the campaign. What an amazing character, written well in a time when it wasn't necessary to do so, and I greatly respect that.

[@TheAverageGuyTAG]

My friend played Columbo for a two-part session of Delta Green. He did the whole "Just one more thing" schtick during the climax, and it was awesome.

[@Groudon466]

I tried that in the most recent campaign I was in. It quickly became apparent that the campaign would be too combat heavy for much of that, unfortunately. Around the end, the DM tried to give me a big case to solve, but it ended up being the case that there were far too many people involved. As soon as even one of the conspirators jumped into action, two dozen others around the military camp immediately assassinated the people in front of them. Frankly, it was just too hard for me to correctly identify two dozen other people out of a hundred without letting on that I was on to any of them- there wasn’t enough time in the day to Insight check all of them, and it would only take one missed check for there to be a problem. It ended up being rather disappointing, unfortunately.

[@felixLucretius]

If you wanna see something like that in a DnD context, I highly recommend Dimension 20’s Mice and Murder. One of the player characters is a Holmes-like INT inquisitive rogue like you’re thinking of

[@stevendouglas3781]

Sounds fun

[@audiosurfarchive]

Cringe

[@jamesfeldman4234]

The funny thing was that after Milo Janus (Robert Conrad) was finally imprisoned, his cellmate was Dale Kingston (Ross Martin).

[@davidking4838]

LOL!.....Great Reply! And, Boy, did they ever have the Columbo bashing conversations.

[@mustafajackson9430]

Lol.

[@keithneale3055]

Two of the best episodes were with Ross Martin and Robert Conrad.

[@calvinjackson8110]

LOL THAT WAS A GOOD ONE!!!!

[@warrenhoffman2006]

Throw in Emmet Clayton too - without his hearing aid.

[@rajhussain9108]

Absolute TV gold... the best TV detective of all times..... Oh, just one more thing!

[@noeldown1952]

I like how pretty much none of Columbo's reveals have any chance of standing in court. It's the ridiculousness and the escapism of the whole thing that kind of makes it magical.

[@johnsmith23ist]

What do you mean… he has evidence

[@OmegaRC59]

I think his goal more than standing in court is just getting them arrested in suspicion of the crime, which would open the police up to more intrusive investigation

[@AzguardMike]

the evidence is circumstancial. The shoes were tied by someone. And Janus said that the victim told him on the phone he was off to the gym. VERY circumstancial.

[@greenmonsterprod]

@@AzguardMike But phone records will show that the call was faked. Columbo already proved Janus' earlier alibi (getting his car fixed) was a lie. He has the edited reel of tape. A look at Janus' books will show that he was ripping off his customers. Columbo has enough for an arrest, and the evidence collected for the trial will send Janus away forever.

[@StreetFighter2010]

It was the same with Matlock. He gets enough evidence to arrest the suspect and dig deeper. They will eventually nail him.

[@susiebrown6646]

Some of you are confused how Janus’ statement proves he did it. Here’s how, If he was found dead with his shoes tied wrong, certainly he would not have done that himself. So he would NOT tell someone he was dressed in gym clothes with his shoes tied wrong. ONLY the killer would know he was dressed in gym clothes. REMEMBER, this was supposedly told to Janus over the phone. It’s impossible to tell you they were dressed in gym clothes when it’s clear they did not dress themselves. His alibi was his downfall.

[@Atarian6502]

Not really! Saying he was dressed in gym clothes doesn't necessarily mean he had on the sneakers too. Could have been still in the socks. Besides, he could have had his sneakers on and later take them off for some reason.

[@susiebrown6646]

@@Atarian6502 - re-read my comment

[@matilda1505]

@@Atarian6502 I agree. The sneakers theory did not convinced me !

[@mitchelll3879]

Susie Brown still doesn't prove anything..alot of people slip their shoes on already tied..I do it all the time..it proves nothing but a dead person had shoes on with their shoes tied, albeit "backwards"..still proves nothing

[@susiebrown6646]

@@mitchelll3879 - not if the shoestring are tied wrong!

[@ercaysalih5433]

i wish bob conrad came in more columbo episodes great episode RIP to both of them

[@pauldavies5611]

Yeah, he was good as a villain 🦹‍♀️

[@irinore]

I love how a part of his line is clearly overdubbed when he talks about clipping out a piece of the audio roll

[@jawstrock2215]

ya, he probably said the wrong name :D

[@SciTrekMan]

The also dubbed the line “two months ago”

[@power2084]

....and this is why you never talk to police, never make any declaration, never sign anything, and keep silent.

[@Drummerchick2003]

Maybe not killing someone can help as well lmao

[@FCN933]

If only people were given this advice in the 70's, there would not be any Columbo series :)

[@artmallory970]

Only thing to say: 'I Do Not Consent'

[@markvery65]

Good point, Drummerchick! 🤣 Keep away from committing crimes and you might be okay! 😅 If you got nothing to feel guilty about and you tell the truth they can elimate you as a suspect, clam up and it might actually cause more problems (!) (‘What is he hiding? 🤔😂). Exactly! 😜🤣

[@power2084]

@@artmallory970 "I do not consent" ??? You mean, "I will not answer any question", right ?

[@kdub1242]

My mind was just blown. I looked up Robert Conrad on Wikipedia, and his birth name was Conrad Robert Falk.

[@jaymorris3468]

Robert Conrad's brother was Frank Cannon (William Conrad), just another fun fact, I found that out after reading your post to see if RC and PF were related.

[@firstnamelastname6171]

@@jaymorris3468 No, that's incorrect. There is no relation. Besides, William was 15 years older.

[@kdub1242]

@@jaymorris3468 I know! It's even more mind blowing because Robert was an athletic, handsome guy with a full head of hair, while William (or "Billy" as his closest friends called him) was physically quite the opposite. I'm going to do more research to see if maybe they were half brothers, step brothers, or if one was adopted.

[@davidwahrheit6143]

@@kdub1242 Per Wikipedia, William Conrad's real name was John William Cann Jr. and Robert Conrad's real name was Conrad Robert Falk.

[@TablaUK]

This is one of the best endings to Columbo. Those ad libs about oh that’s my lunch, that doesn’t mean nothing are spontaneous and brilliant. Probably not part of script but just brilliant.

[@r0bw00d]

Of course it was part of the script; don't be silly.

[@srisha731]

Vow.. I tie my shoes all my life , but never noticed until Columbo shared this fact .. brilliant

[@kenherrera2819]

Peter Falk did a tease about this episode during a surprise appearance on the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. He hinted about the fascinating way he solved the case saying it was something everyone does but not revealing the shoe lace part. He came dressed in his "Columbo" clothes. It was wonderful knowing what he was talking about, and you could tell it was a great tease for the upcoming episode as I'm sure everyone was wondering what it was that we all do that could help the detective find the killer.

[@alexzanaldi6572]

a memorable episode from columbo. RIP Peter Falk and RIP Robert Conrad. i cannot believe that these people are gone................

[@KaranSharma-lm6eh]

people get old and eventually die.

[@thephantom4661]

This is the first Columbo I ever watched and been hooked ever since. The laces was just pure genius.

[@NARUTOS.CLANSS]

Same, this was also the first episode I ever watched and this ending scene got me hooked

[@SRDhain]

Masterful writing, acting, direction and editing here. And it's Peter Falk's exhalation at the end as he shakes his head to deliver the denouement, that seals it 👌

[@peteclark9]

To me, this is the most memorable episode. Conrad was a favorite of mine. Benching 250. And the inverted shoe knot. Conrad was everywhere then. West, Black Sheep Squadron, and the Eveready battery commercials- just try to knock it off his shoulder. It comes back to that knot - who thinks of that?!

[@davidking4838]

Those Eveready commercials......talk about classic!

[@tonyginnetti5828]

Don't forget the short-lived TV show "The D.A.", which ran for just one season in 1971 starring Robert Conrad (fresh from his role as James West in "The Wild, Wild West") with co-stars Harry (M*A*S*H) Morgan and Julie Cobb!

[@kenwittlief255]

a square knot, and the bow knot people use to tie their shoes, are symmetrical. Take your sneaker and point it away from you and tie it. Then take your other sneaker and point the toe towards you and tie it (as if you are tying someone else's shoe). The knots are identical. The premise that Columbo figured this out seeing a mother tie a child's shoe, is invalid.

[@jdayala-wright8875]

@@kenwittlief255 The only way that's possible is if the person is left handed

[@jamesolojo787]

Janus is worried about his expensive desk when he is going to spend 25 years in the slammer🤔

[@yurets1234]

Murder in the first degree. They can give life imprisonment.

[@johnboothe6398]

Where he will be reunited with Artemus Gordon.

[@Heart2HeartBooks]

Where in California they actually have a prison industry that in fact...............Makes desks!

[@sce2aux464]

@@Heart2HeartBooks - I just love that.

[@2Scribble]

2:03 - the funny part about the villain in this story is that he's SO arrogant - he's SO sure he's untouchable - that he didn't bother trying to destroy or just copy these tapes. He full on cut them out and just left that stuff where it was - because there's NO WAY anyone would ever question his story

[@jardinehouse88]

absolutely brilliant...one of my favorite episode...throughout the show, Conrad was toying with Columbo and at the end, Columbo nailed to the wall with his own alibi. Current shows can't even match the shows from that era

[@kev3d]

I love Robert Conrad and Ross Martin. It was a real tribute to their acting skills for them to go from the charming James West and Artemis Gordon to the cold, cruel villians they played in Columbo.

[@JacobGunner]

This was my dad's favorite episode, and it all came down to this confrontation. I didn't care for this show as a kid but it really grew on me over the years and this definitely was a great episode.

[@1airportsignguy119]

What does it feel like to be 60 years old? I'm watching Columbo clips. Loving it.

[@michalbock7648]

Nice one. I really like this old Columbo. Greetings from the Czech rep.

[@mikegallagher3700]

Me to Spa 🤝 Greetings from the 🇬🇧

[@mattshanley6755]

This is such a great scene. This is where we see the REAL Columbo. This is the Columbo his fellow cops see around the station. He's really an angry, but idealistic person who puts on the obsequious persona to bring justice to those who can longer defend themselves. He is an avenging angel. And it must be liberating to not have to pretend he isn't.

[@SECRETARIATguy224]

A great point. One of the real treasures of watching Columbo episodes is never knowing, episode to episode, when we'll get to see that rare glimpse of the REAL Columbo, and because the glimpses we do get are so very rare, it one of the things that makes Columbo fans like you and me pay attention all the time, and also one of the things that rewards repeat viewings. I salute you, sir!

[@BanjoLuke1]

Yes... But he is pretending. He is an actor. He learned a script. There is no police station. It is a TV studio.

[@SECRETARIATguy224]

@@BanjoLuke1 I fail to see your point. So what? Do you actually think people who watch this think there was no script? That Falk really WAS a cop? That they didn't film this on a set?

[@mattshanley6755]

@@SECRETARIATguy224 He can't hear you. He never will.

[@SECRETARIATguy224]

@@mattshanley6755 Yeah. That comment BanjoLuke1 made is one of the dumbest comments I've ever read. Columbo fans are expected to show more intelligence.

[@angelosantaniello4113]

I never get tired of Colombo

[@lokismig]

One of the best episodes of classic Columbo, the one from the 70s. The "new" episodes from the 90s are well below that level.

[@hopeclarke7703]

I can watch Columbia over and over again. Love this character and show.

[@dare2share207]

*Columbo

[@dmlchannel3262]

This was one of my all-time favorite Columbo episodes.... followed by "Try and Catch Me", with Ruth Gordon, who's acting performance was absolutely brilliant in that episode... followed by "The Bye-Bye Sky-High IQ Murder Case", with Theodore Bickel, another amazing actor.

[@derickennedy6278]

“You tried to contrive a perfect alibi, sir, and it’s your perfect alibi that’s gonna hang you.” That was the clinch for Colombo!

[@benkeel2966]

These writers were brilliant. Absolutely brilliant

[@kathconserv]

“It can only be you; by your own admission!”

[@ernestleong476]

Saw this when it first aired and I was a little kid. From that night to the present day, every time I tie my shoes, I remind myself you can always tell the first loop, because it's the top loop.

[@tnargskoorb1]

Ha ha me too. Exactly. It’s the one scene I remembered from all the shows.

[@shitstainknobknocker]

My Favourite episode. Robert Conrad was great in this (and even got his own theme tune/jingle)

[@kronos1794]

I love how often the murderers attribute Columbo's victory to luck. No one in the world gets lucky that often lol.

[@JacklynBurn]

I was watching another clip before this one, from "The Conspirators" (the one with the Irish guy who was shipping guns). In that ending, Columbo himself says "I guess it was just dumb luck," to have noticed the tie between the culprit and the method being used to smuggle the guns out, and the culprit himself says "It's never just luck, Lieutenant". The criminals saying he got lucky are the ones who fell hardest into his "bumbling idiot" facade, but the ones who respect him realize that it would take more than luck to not only find the pieces, but put them together.

[@anonymousmc7727]

Maybe joe Biden;)

[@r0bw00d]

@@JacklynBurn "The criminals saying he got lucky are the ones who fell hardest into his "bumbling idiot" facade, but the ones who respect him realize that it would take more than luck to not only find the pieces, but put them together." And Leslie Williams, in "Ransom for a Dead Man," was probably the only one to do both.

[@SKF358]

I find this one of the most complicated Columbo solutions. I need to view it even again, after so many times, to understand it solidly.

[@truefilm6991]

Yep, took me a moment too. The inverted shoelaces reveal that someone else put on the sneakers. So there couldn't have been a phone conversation with the victim still alive, stating he was in his gym outfit, about to work out. There was no way the murderer had this information (victim in his gym clothes at a certain time). This together with the elaborately staged phone call, edited audio tape and removed phone light bulb, is very heavy evidence.

[@villiamo3861]

@@truefilm6991 Excellent - it's that point about us all now being forced by the shoelace facts to agree that there couldn't have been that gym-clothes conversation that is so easy to overlook when you're doubting how damning the final reveal is... ie those who say the suspect could still argue 'he was getting ready for the bar bells and told me he was in gym clothes' seen to be missing the fact that the culprit himself had by now stated that Columbo had proved somebody else dressed the victim. Thanks.

[@alcoholfree6381]

I’ve watched every Columbo episode several times. These short clips of the shows are great 👍! You’ve done a great thing here: A+

[@generaldistain420]

All the best bits!

[@KasperKali]

Columbo was the man! He was and continues to be- the Sherlock Holmes of our time, our century.

[@fishandchips9033]

Javier Lizano as a Brit i think Columbo is the best detective of all time. Sherlock Holmes doesnt compare to this great detective.

[@KasperKali]

@@fishandchips9033 Hi, thanks for your comment. I've always liked the Bssil Rathbone portrayal of Holmes. He deduced stuff on the spot as he went along. Both are great characters, no doubt. Seeing you, as a brit, say this about Columbo is truly an honor. Thank you 😊

[@AnthonyP118]

This is an episode i watched but had forgotten the solution to the case. Thanks for uploading it's been bugging me ever since the first upload from the episode.

[@billvetter5328]

the crumpled-up brown bag with his lunch and sneaker is a great little nuance of this scene.

[@fobypawz418]

The great part about Columbo's work is that he finally is able to bring the guilt from these criminals before they have to face trial!

[@godking]

To be honest with a good lawyer Janus could probably have beaten the case in court.

[@masteroffun9627]

@godking: Right! For me, this was the biggest downside to the style of the Columbo series: Collecting evidence and having someone charged and arrested is one thing, but proving it in court beyond a reasonable doubt is a WHOLE DIFFERENT ballgame. That’s why I’m a little more of a Matlock fan.

[@lw3269]

Love that they had A List actors as guest stars in this show. Robert Conrad is my all time favorite, so this is a treat.

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

The writers on this show were amazing too.

[@francisbacon7738]

I love the way he keeps calling the murderer sir after he has proved his case.

[@weejim48]

Columbo is probably the greatest tv detective series ever. I still watch it on tv on Sundays. 🇬🇧👍👍

[@rebeccamcnallyiiiuiiioothj6743]

I wish there was programming like this nowadays. This is one of my favourite endings every police force needs a Columbo. Peter Falk you were a great talent and a sheer joy to watch, and continue to be watched via streaming etc. RIP F. Columbo.

[@jeanrobertwongtitshing8227]

sometimes I wonder how Colombo was able to face the criminals and challenged them without carrying any guns on him.

[@ovnigaz]

It was a different time

[@generaldistain420]

Some of the perpetrators had weapons actually , it was just intelligence

[@captmurdock]

@@generaldistain420 One time, the murderer (Susan Clark) actually leveled a gun on Columbo, late at night at her home. He basically shakes his head and says, "Nah, you're too classy a lady for that. Besides, the policeman outside that door might shoot ya." She surrenders, gives him the gun, and agrees to meet her lawyer down at the police station. Columbo goes out the door -- there's no cop there. 😁

[@etinarcadiaego3296]

Another one tries to poison him.

[@mazeppa1231]

@@etinarcadiaego3296 I remember that. One even tried to get his dogs to kill him. The thing with Columbo however, is that he doesn't just face these criminals, but he comes there prepared.

[@theurbanfunkmachine6547]

The writing for this show is still Superb !!!

[@art.demirjian9721]

No matter how many times I watch this clip, I always find it just fascinating...!

[@ikaikamaleko8370]

What an awesome scene, had me hook line and sinker, great stuff!

[@bishopaz]

The acting in this dramatic scene is incredible. My absolute favorite episode.

[@michaeltoebe1851]

Thoroughness, sustained curiosity, attention to detail, patience and a great at putting together the puzzle.

[@alphamasterevi1198]

I need to buy all episodes of Columbo, I love him!

[@Drummerchick2003]

The guilty always runs like that Best line ever for MSM and politics "see how easy it is to fool peaple." Beautiful.

[@Comkill117]

“You tried to contrive a perfect alibi, and it’s that alibi that’s going to hang you.” is such a brutal line.

[@david_1956]

When he shows the tape he cut and says "I hope you don't mind". Perfect calculated response.

[@gastonbouchard9330]

7:33 I thought he was going to say "It just proves that you're badly in need of new shoes, Columbo"

[@jmaxxtv9912]

This, RIGHT HERE, is why you should never buy shoes with Velcro straps...Nobody would be able to solve your murder! Ahhh, I love this episode...

[@david10101961]

Good point Jeff! One of my favorite episodes also. Some trivia....... 1. A clue that even the writers themselves somehow overlooked: if you watch carefully when the murder is committed, Gene's fingerprints exist on one end of the barbell only. Therefore when the police find the barbell, they should immediately realize that it couldn't have been an accident; the barbell must have been placed there, proof of murder. 2. Some fun by the writers, pre-empting that the ending would involve shoelaces: Columbo breaks a shoelace earlier while outside Milo's house; and also the auditor's name is Lace-y.

[@mitchanhiranuma9030]

My favorite and a masterpiece episode!

[@mathewcipriano4794]

Wow the suspense in that scene was incredible! They really don't make them like they used to!

[@thenationaltimelyactionhou9328]

This is definitely one of my favourite shows of all time!

[@demonocusmetalocus3558]

Guess the killer did KNOT see that coming lol

[@davidmarshall5596]

There will never be a better detective than columbo simply because Peter falk was ' perfect ' playing the character that simply was excellent bar non ..

[@keithjones6023]

Could agree more! 👍

[@ivanppillay914]

Absolutely, David! They can go on, through eternity, re-making Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Pierrot and all the others. But please, don't touch COLUMBO. Never! That would simply be sacrilegious: a violation of that which is pure and sacred. Do not interfere with pure art. That would be mutiliation. 'Twould be akin to somebody trying to re-paint the Mona Lisa.

[@624LC]

I remember as a kid, how excited I was when the NBC Sunday mystery movie theme would play and the announcer would say "Tonight...Peter Falk as Columbo". Sorry Quincy, McMillan and Wife, and McCloud, but Columbo was (and is) my jam!

[@Revenant1420]

They finally added this clip! This happens to be one of my favorite endings of Columbo, and I'm glad to see it's here now!

[@lisabradford8180]

one of my favorite episodes💖👍

[@fasteddie9867]

ditto. Season 4 was the best IMHO. Conrad made a great murderer.

[@macmcleod1188]

I notice how incredibly unpolished Columbo's shoes are compared to the other man's shoes.

[@lindajohnson6165]

I just watched Columbo, I dvr them and watch them later! Love this show

[@muggy2128]

I like how he gives the whole shoe demonstration knowing that he already had him with his sworn statement, the shoe talk was just talk

[@art.demirjian9721]

Very-very interesting conclusion. I just find it very educational - ⭐One single insignificant very small detail plays the vital roll to solve the investigation⭐

[@cw1294]

RC had beautiful blue eyes, my forever Wild Wild West crush

[@vordman]

I love it when he's nailing his victim he still calls him Sir all the time.

[@garystrittmater8258]

I remember watching this episode when it wasn't a rerun, especially the ending!

[@edwardbliss8931]

He lulls you into thinking he's a bumbling fool when in fact he has an IQ of 200

[@michaellorusso4912]

+Edward Bliss: Has this been confirmed ?

[@geraltofrivia9424]

If not more