Mistaken for a classless oik by prissy curator Francine, the Lieutenant is given a whistle-stop tour of the exhibit ‘highlights’ – all of which leave him absolutely unmoved. This is never more apparent than when Columbo goes to the gallery to check up on Van Wick’s alibi. One can’t help but feel that Columbo writers hated the art scene of the 70s, with Playback following on from Suitable for Framing in making an absolute mockery of it all. It’s fabulous deductive policework from the Lieutenant and a rare heroic moment from a TV/film clown toy, which are invariably better known for their acts of evil. Given that Elizabeth says this all happened before Van Wick was known to have left the property, the experiment goes a long way to satisfying Columbo’s hunch that he could have murdered Margaret before he left for the art show. Only a loud noise could have caused the door to open. In a house full of sound-activated doors, Columbo infers that the fact the clown was visible must have meant that Elizabeth’s bedroom door was open, casting light from the hallway onto the chair. ![]() The detective recalls that Elizabeth had claimed to have woken up at 9pm, groggy after taking a sleeping pill, on the night of the killing, believing she’d heard a noise, but settling back to kip when she noticed the blood-chilling clown in its rightful place on her bedroom chair. The clown experiment For the first (and last) time in TV and film history, a clown doll wasn’t up to no goodĬolumbo ably demonstrates his mental acuity through a clever experiment involving Elizabeth Van Wick’s ghastly CLOWN DOLL! Allied with the modernity of the murder itself, and the stall is set out early as being a case that even Columbo will be taxed by.Ĥ. Is there a better way to establish an unforgettable alibi than by wowing a scorching brunette with a mind-imprinting DIGITAL WATCH? Harold Van Wick proves that, no, there’s really isn’t, as he dazzles Marcy ‘hubba-hubba’ Hubbard at the art show with his cutting-edge wrist watch.Ī fun scene, notable for the drop-dead gorgeous Marcy being instantly smitten by Van Wick despite his being a complete drip, it sets a similarly strong alibi for our killer as was concocted by Dale Kingston at an art show four years earlier. The ‘super watch’ Marcy Hubbard is the apple of many a viewer’s eye… Van Wick less so Thanks for your patience during this trying time when I am stranded far from home by flood waters and impassable roads!ĥ. Columbo Goes to College analysis is now likely to be published in January. NB – Due to inclement weather and a prolonged absence from home in a feeble internet area, I am miles behind on full episode reviews. Just what are its greatest moments? Here’s what I reckon… ![]() It also boasts a thoroughly modern murder, a loathsome victim and a finale packed with emotion, ticking many essential boxes along the way. Starring Oskar Werner (in his only US TV appearance) and the always-awesome Gena Rowlands as husband-and-wife duo Harold and Elizabeth Van Wick, Playback is an intriguing drama featuring some truly cutting-edge 70s technology that has aged much better than the Columbo norm. ![]() Hate the game, not the playa! It’s an episode that tends to fly somewhat beneath the radar when compared to classics such as Murder by the Book and Any Old Port in a Storm, but Season 4’s penultimate outing, Playback, still packs quite a punch. Spoiler alert: I couldn’t squeeze this golden moment into the top 5.
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