The Ending of "Forgotten Lady" | Columbo

This is one of the only two Columbo’s episodes in which the perpetrator is not arrested (the other being "It's All In The Game"), as Ned Diamond (John Payne), Wheeler's longtime song and dance partner who has always loved Grace (Janet Leigh), falsely confesses to save her after Columbo informs him she is suffering from a degenerative brain disease.
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Season 5 Episode 1 ''Forgotten Lady'': A faded dance star of film and stage murders her husband and makes it look like a suicide; Lt. Columbo doubts her seemingly perfect alibi.
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[@jetvulcan2020]

the silent agreement between the two of them is so great. "it's not going to take much to break your story" "It may take a few months"

[@thunberbolttwo3953]

Yes yes it might.

[@michaelhuck]

Columbo does it more for him than for her. That look of Columbo when John Payne kisses Janet Leigh...

[@bluesque9687]

What does it mean?

[@IndyCrewInNYC]

One of the best endings ever. Another glimpse into Columbo's humanity and how he isn't rigidly by the book. John Payne stole the show however in these last moments and Janet Leigh...simply sublime. 💔

[@msudlp]

Whoever the director was for this episode did a fantastic job. Notice how he used light and darkness throughout the scene. Most of the negative was done in the dark and positive done in the light. Genius. Adds to the emotional heft of the scene. This is definitely in my top three Columbo endings.

[@LordZontar]

Harvey Hart.

[@bunkydunk7500]

I got chills from that!

[@javiergilvidal1558]

Jewish emotional manipulation at its best ....

[@LordZontar]

And you could see that the moment of Ned's false confession had already evaporated from Grace's memory as she loses herself in the movie and the happy time from long ago when she was before the cameras. She would never have stood trial, of course. But she won't be destroyed. Ned and Columbo will protect her until the end.

[@sailingstpommedeterre4905]

That moment was the saddest part of this episode...in a few minutes she had no memory of Ned's "confession".

[@AZURNERUB]

Except that she didn't forget a single thing throughout the episode, apart from a few names. Not to mention she was capable of remembering a very elaborate murder plot without an issue. So her memory is only wonky when it comes to remebering her own crime post factum and a certain lieutenant's name. A very selective memory loss indeed. Sorry, this last minute addition of a brain aneurism doesn't make any sense. And the husband didn't bother to tell his wife that she has a lethal brain condition, didn't provide her with special care etc. His concern for her only went as far as denying her money to restart her career.

[@LordZontar]

@@AZURNERUB Except memory loss doesn't work the way you seem to think it does. The patient might be fine up to a point, and even then gaps and short-term recall start to manifest, then a point is reached when the person mentally crashes. And it doesn't happen the same way to every person. As for the husband, we can only speculate on his motivations and what he thought was possible or appropriate. He may not have cared beyond the money aspect, or he may have intended to gradually introduce caregivers into Grace's life. We cannot say.

[@christopherkraft1327]

Very sad ending, the Lieutenant brilliantly solves the case yet shows compassion for the ailing Grace Wheeler!! This was John Payne's last performance before he retired!!! On of my favorite episodes!!! 👍👍

[@ronleight9341]

Agreed A great swan song for Payne who had a nearly 40 year run in Hollywood!

[@mikebasil4832]

A most delicately handled ending for a Columbo episode and my most fondest memory of Janet Leigh for making Grace so very sympathetic.

[@onemorething123]

Oh, the ending of this one! So heartbreaking. The way John Payne sat Janet Leigh down and told her to 'Just watch Rosie' before he left with Columbo really got to me. This was one of my favorite episodes.

[@KillerBebe]

@Fippy Darkpaw most likely she did.

[@paulamiles9559]

" Just watch Rosie" and there is Janet Leigh, shiny- eyed and content, watching herself.😪

[@isabellind1292]

This is my favorite Columbo episode. 💓

[@paulaskeete1243]

​@isabellind1292 Mine too.

[@williamessex3518]

@@paulaskeete1243 Mine 3

[@MustangMike012]

Columbo is rocking that tuxedo

[@bobuncle8704]

Quite possibly one of the best scenes ever. I cannot watch this without getting emotional, no matter how many times I see it.

[@catnapgee5357]

me too

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

It's a different sort of ending, one full of compassion and regret. Columbo has the upper hand as usual, but in an unexpected way.

[@LtColumbohh]

One of those endings where it’s all class. The characters as well as the actors. I’ve read that this was John Payne’s final role. If you ask me, this is going out on top.

[@ronleight9341]

Indeed!!

[@ladamyre1]

My favorite ending of them all. Not just because Columbo does the humane thing, but because we get to see Janet in her prime, even if just a second of the beauty she was.

[@noeleenburns2874]

This has to be the best columbo ever written and directed and it was well written Janet Leigh played her part so so well

[@blockmasterscott]

"It might take a couple of months". That really got to me, it really did.

[@williamessex3518]

How could it not have? The writing and acting were brilliant. I consider myself very fortunate to have lived when there were tv shows like this and the music of the 60's, 70's, and into the 1980's. There's still some decent stuff these days, but the regression is obvious and unfortunate.

[@keithjones7390]

Columbo showed his softer side in this episode, he solved another case, but used his discretion in not taking the matter further. Great acting as usual with another stellar cast.

[@cjrrun]

3 toughest endings, this one, Ruth Gordon, and Johnny Cash

[@violetfem1808]

Yes Ruth Gordon & Johnny Cash . . you actually wish Columbo let them off instead. I felt that way about Faye Dunnaway who took the fall for her daughter at the end.

[@ronleight9341]

The most bittersweet for me is Any Old Port in a Storm with Donald Pleasence. The scene of them in the car at the end is fantastic!

[@violetfem1808]

@@ronleight9341 Yes ! I felt terrible for him too. Nice one

[@zovalentine7305]

Rest in powerful peace Peter Falk 🙏 16 September 1927 ~ 23 June 2011⚘

[@Earlywinters09]

This and the ending to Any Old Port in a Storm are by far my favorite Columbo endings ever.

[@Link3000XD]

its unfortunate that peter falk suffered the same fate

[@Gabu_]

Incredibly sad, even more so with the symbolism of Columbo leaving through the door as a mirror of Falk sits in the couch

[@PaulSebastiani_SEN_BA]

Class and humbleness personified in the form of Columbo. Brilliant episode with a heartbreaking ending.

[@LordZontar]

"It's not gonna take much to break your story." "Might take a couple of months." "Yes. Yes it might."

[@marycatherinerzetelny]

Sir, I agree 100%. 😇

[@jozsefhor]

you know you have made a classic when you elevate the crime story genre to this level

[@davidmarshall5596]

This was quite possibly one of the best finale to a columbo episode..terrific acting all round...the script writing is sublime 👌

[@swedishpsychopath8795]

And that's how a gentleman's agreement is made with unspoken words between the lines accompanied only by a glance and a nod to spare a woman who is already "gone" and soon WILL be gone from unnecessary torment.

[@Chopper650]

out of all the columbos... this for me left the most lasting impression... such compassion

[@Grissbane]

I honestly can't watch this episode. It's legitimately heartbreaking and leaves me in tears.

[@TheStuport]

Might be the only time where we would never hear...."Just One More Thing" as Columbo stands at the door before leaving.

[@HeronCoyote1234]

The love that Ned had for Grace was heartbreaking. I’ve got to find the episode to watch again (too many years ago).

[@LordZontar]

"This has gone on long enough. I killed Henry. I snuck into the bedroom that night, shot him, and then made good my escape by climbing down the balcony." "You don't know what you're saying! Why? Why would you do something like that? Why?" "For you, Grace. For you. I did it for you. Henry was preventing you from taking your rightful place as a star." "What will I do?" "Oh, you'll be alright. My Grace will be alright." "I can't do a thing without you. I... I'll wait. I'll take a long rest. That's what I should do, isn't it?" "Yes, that's exactly what you should do. Now, just sit here and watch Rosie. Just watch Rosie."

[@HeronCoyote1234]

@@LordZontar thank you, sir.

[@NHRebelsthoughts]

Columbo offer an amazing place to showcase iconic stars

[@bellaimages]

This is so brilliantly acted, directed and written! I'm left in tears at that ending. A favorite Columbo episode of mine.

[@robapana8321]

This has to be one of the best endings of any bit of film ever.

[@arthurjeremypearson]

I watched it once this morning and I cried. I took a break, got ready for the day, came back, watched it again and I'm crying all over again oh god.

[@kevinyeti]

great acting great stars I have watched these shows again&again & never tire of them

[@deantheodosiou2886]

Perhaps the best Columbo scene ever. Filled with compassion and humanity.

[@sysyviv7872]

Wonderfull Janet Leigh 💟

[@qualityman1965]

Janet Leigh. What a beautiful woman. That was touching.

[@HeronCoyote1234]

I just watched the entire episode on TUBI (free, very short ads). This brought me to tears at the end. Just heartbreaking. I loved Peter Falk’s gushing at the movie stars.

[@KillerBebe]

This is one of the best endings I seen, to me it stands just slightly above the ending of Any Port in a Storm

[@r0bw00d]

This is the most heart breaking episode of _Columbo_ that I've ever watched.

[@tomcooper6108]

Touching ending acted superbly by 3 great actors. Favorite Columbo episode.

[@violetfem1808]

I just watched 3 Columbo's on cable this morning - a great morning :D

[@milart12]

Unusual bit of casting here and maybe a reflection of the times. Peter Falk and Janet Leigh are the exact same age, yet Leigh is cast as an elderly woman who is suffering from some degenerative disease. Falk, however, is in his prime. Leigh is only 48 here, younger than Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lopez for example. Can you imagine casting one of them in this type of role now.

[@mnsnerd]

This episode is probably my favorite one, and this scene is the only scene in the entire series that gets me to tear up. Amazing performances by Peter Falk (of course), John Payne and Janet Leigh.

[@Helena-iu8me]

The way I put my hand over my mouth when I saw this the first time 😮‍💨 great episode although one of the saddest imo

[@immaterialimmaterial5195]

Top-notch casting, script and direction in this classy episode!

[@SDSen]

columbo showing emotion there at 8:37, this was a touching ending

[@stevenj9970]

The most heartbreaking episode. That’s unconditional love……rest in peace all who starred in it….

[@preving]

Does anybody feel like watching the musical 'Walking My Baby Back Home' from 1953 after watching this episode? I did....

[@avarysse5782]

Actually it makes me want to see her in the original Psycho

[@preving]

@@avarysse5782 good call!!

[@rocketrockstar8171]

She was beautiful in The Vikings also!

[@stellertonybeller1972]

i love her and Tony Curtis in Houdini (1953) ...

[@yesterdayitrained]

A work of art… And Janet Leigh was still so incredibly beautiful.

[@Akkordeondirigent]

Such a wonderful actress! All actors in that series were great. High quality, not usual anymore.

[@The_Umpteenth_Doctor]

Option 5: She puts on the film, it breaks, but she doesn't know it because she's fallen asleep in front of the TV (it's not actually a TV, but it's the same thing). Everybody does that. The mystery remains...

[@TheReactor8]

Dementia is a sad story on its own.

[@EnergySurge09]

That ending struck me like a semi truck

[@Actingskint]

From the earliest memories of watching TV with my folks , Columbo has always been there .A place to watch some Ham acting mixed with great character acting . Catch phrases which have become the calling card of this character . Just one more thing 😉. And the recognisable props . A worn out rain coat , a beat up car , and a cigar . This episode struck home more than others though , as my Mum is fast disappeared from us , due to the effects of dementia . She has become aggressive , nasty and spiteful . In particular to my dad . She is a world away from the character of a star of old . But she was once my dad's love , my mum , & a solid influence on my life . For good or bad she was there . She to suffers from a lack of any short term memory , about even the most important things around her . Anyway , I'm not sure why I started to ramble on this episode , I guess it was because it struck such a chord with me , that I felt compelled to comment . Columbo has accompanied me on life's journey , and it would have been a poorer life without Columbo to entertain me .

[@Hithere-ek4qt]

Many blessings to you and your family.

[@djpalindrome]

Masterful cinematography with Columbo bathed in a shaft of light from the movie projector

[@randallrona9618]

This episode to this day still tackled about the issue about mental health and its involvement of crime towards society. Yet Columbo shows his compassion towards the culprit/s even the latter has emotional, tragic and health problems both physically and mentally, on their lives proved why he is still one of the best detectives. R.I.P. to Peter Falk, John Payne and Janet Leigh. ♥️♥️♥️

[@MrSamuelArthurRobertAllen]

So a great episode I always referred to this as the one that got away

[@jeanc819]

A wonderful episode where Columbo chose to be wrong in order to do right.

[@hungrymikepencetd5686]

Even murderers are hopeless before death, what a great episode. So sad and so dramatic.

[@diabeticguy]

Always leaves me tearful

[@mathewhaight]

Well that was not the ending I was expecting. I am going to go cry for moment.

[@greggrayson5426]

Don't understand the comments about "showing Columbo has a heart". Watch the episode "Try and Catch Me" with Ruth Gordon when he does an impromptu speech for a woman's group and he'll tell you the nature of his "heart" and his feelings for the murderers he pursues. But he never confuses sympathy or empathy for the utter hatred he has for the willful taking of a human life, no matter by who.

[@terrypetersen2970]

This one and "It's All in the Game" with Faye Dunaway are the only two episodes he let the guilty party get away. Technically her daughter didn't kill the man, just set him up for Faye to kill him. But it showed his human side.

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

another masterpiece and john payne saves the day

[@ShionShinigami]

That is soooo outstanding!!!😢

[@megahellreaper]

Personally my #1 ending.

[@truewax257]

One of the very best Columbo episodes!!

[@mrrandom1265]

I always knew there was an episode where he lets a dying lady get away with murder but I've never watched it and i had no idea the ending was so sad.

[@PatrickPrejusa]

such great performances

[@dalegarraway9865]

Janet Leigh's first motion picture was "The Romance of Rosy Ridge" Hence the name Rosy.

[@ronleight9341]

Very good picture with Van Johnson! She was a star, right off the bat.

[@HAn-ie2zp]

Great episode!

[@X23SSaviourGundam]

This episode is possibly my favorite episode. There's a clear cut criminal, but to prosecute her would be too cruel. Everyone lovee her, even after they found out what she did.

[@master-kq3nw]

Great episode

[@alaok489]

This is I think the only episode I can't bear to rewatch. The only episode that really made me sad at the ending

[@asifhove]

The Best Columbo episode, ever! ❤❤❤

[@davidmartin5764]

Lost inside one's mind

[@paulamiles9559]

I love Columbo but hated this episode. Janet Leigh was such a good actress- slowly losing someone you love due to dementia is very sad and this was too realistic.

[@RMR1]

This was John Payne's last role of any kind -- TV, film or stage -- and I'm not sure why. I don't think he was ill and he lived another 14 years after this show aired in 1975. He was wonderful in "Miracle on 34th Street." It was on TV every year around Christmas, naturally, and I remember watching it countless times as a kid.

[@ronleight9341]

The actual movie Walking my Baby had a running time of 95 minutes, not 105 minutes. I guess they didn't have Google back in 1975 to check that!! Lol

[@treektheneet]

This broke my heart

[@RTG1031]

Or 5, the film breaks but she doesn’t know for a while because she dozed off to sleep

[@MagicRat]

I’ve never seen this episode 💔

[@TheJpgr1958]

The ending of "Playback" is another emotional one. That and this episode rank as two of the best endings for a Columbo, IMHO.

[@Flipnred78]

One of maybe two episodes that I haven’t seen yet

[@richelliott9320]

Tragic that Peter Faulk ended up that way

[@danieljustdaniel9550]

Did not see this ending coming.

[@MWorsa]

Neat that they used footage from an actual Janet Leigh movie.

[@imScottIronmonger]

One of the most beautiful scenes ever! 🤧😍 imScott 🤓🤓

[@booboolips6053]

This is how Peter Falk died.

[@bridgetown1966]

tremendously sad episode

[@luparanera9604]

That's my favorite 👌💖

[@jeffwerth2707]

Show that Columbo had a heart...it may take months to investigate this...knowing that bringing this to court wouldn't solve a thing. Janet Leigh - one of the original scream queens

[@cartoonpete407]

Funny, when I saw your comment, I clicked on 3:11 randomly and she says "...I could scream..." 😆

[@ChrisJones-ij3xp]

@@cartoonpete407 Yeah, eh? That scene is the first thing I thought of when she said that. The screenwriters must have put that in deliberately as a nod to her best-known scene.

[@cartoonpete407]

@@ChrisJones-ij3xp Yeah, haha, in particular the scream-writers 😅

[@bobwoods1302]

You know she is still a cold-blooded murderer plus I don't think they would stop an investigation into her just because her boyfriend confessed.

[@drakeybryter5997]

In many ways its a shame thst Columbo - as an employed detective could deploy the same latitude that Holmes could - this is a clear miscarriage of justice where discretion to overlook would favour all.

[@magsteel9891]

Or 5: She fell asleep watching a movie she's seen a million times and woke up sometime after it broke

[@carriedillmann4455]

I never realized this was John Payne !!!!😀

[@alegriabenshitrit4646]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️colombo

[@user-tb8pm2bn2l]

Where is book Transformation Mrs Mc Twic?

[@barbarastrzykalski7070]

So,sad…he says “she doesn’t remember she killed her husband”……very sad!!

[@mikeneil798]

This is the ONLY time Columbo let a REAL perpetrator slide. You could tell it bothered him. But in the end its a CLOSED case with an arrest

[@ivairbariani2562]

Janet sempre linda

[@lorincowell6944]

Maurice!

[@ChakatStripedfur]

The only Columbo I can remember that actually got me emotional. Just proof that Columbo isn't just about getting the killer, it's about compassion as well.