|
|
Regular
Price $39.98
Starring:
Peter Falk,
Jack Cassidy,
Rosemary Forsyth,
Martin Milner,
Barbara Colby,
Directed By:
Steven Spielberg,
Bernard L. Kowalski,
Harvey Hart,
Ben Gazzara,
Alf Kjellin,
Rated: Unrated
Release Date: 1975-02-09
Studio: National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
Format:
Box set,
Closed-captioned,
Color,
Dolby,
DVD-Video,
Full Screen,
Subtitled,
NTSC,
|
Customer Reviews for
Columbo - The Complete Fourth Season
The Man In The Rumpled Raincoat
While the first season of "Columbo" featured a more intense, hard-charging detective, the subsequent seasons (including this one) toned down that image. As a result, the lovable character that most of us remember when we think of "Columbo" was born.
For the remainder of the show, the genius of Columbo was not so much how he figures out the crime (although that is the conclusion to each episode), but also the WAY in which he gathers information to form his conclusion. Whether it be talking about his wife (who is always the biggest fan of the celebrity killer), driving his beat up car, or checking all 6-7 jacket pockets to find his notepad, Columbo would portray an air of stupidity, which would inevitably trip up the villain at some point. Also, just Columbo's hand and body gestures (hands raised over head when talking or finger on nose when thinking!) were odd enough to put the villain "at ease", as well as his propensity for asking "just one more thing".
Throughout the second-seventh season of the show, the episodes were quite formulaic (a murder occurs and Columbo must determine how it happened and who is the murderer), but featured the device of letting the audience see the murder being committed. Thus, the focus of the show was placed squarely on Columbo's investigative skills, not our imaginations'. While some episodes drop enough hints to allow viewers to get in tune with Columbo's train of thought, others leave his thrilling conclusion completely up in the air until the very last scene. Either way, Columbo always puts together some sort of miracle detective strategy and comes away victorious!
The acting in the show is also terrific. A few actors (Jack Cassidy, Robert Culp, and Patrick McGoohan) played the murderous villains on multiple occasions, while other episodes contained a "Who's Who" list of celebrity victims. Just to name a few: Eddie Albert, Anne Baxter, Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, Dick Van Dyke, and Ricardo Montalban.
Overall, "Columbo" is a great mystery show that, despite being at its peak in the 1970s, still resonates today on the strength of Columbo's character. I highly recommend every season of this show to mystery fans, classic TV watchers (for the guest stars), or just those of you who can't stand all the reality TV shows these days and want some television material that will entertain you AND stimulate your mind at the same time!Columbo - The Complete Fourth Season
When telling the Story was Preeminent
I recently purchased "Columbo--The Fourth Season". Although these episodes were produced more than 30 years ago, they are still extremely engrossing. What strikes me about this series, and some others during this era, was the time the producers allowed the writers to "flesh-out" the story. This practice stands in stark contrast to current crime-dramas with stories being largely propelled by frenetic directing, and largely gratuitous violence and sex (and I'm no prude). Unfortunately, "Columbo" would not work today because networks are convinced that audiences will only tune in a series if a good story comes wrapped in a titilating package.Columbo - The Complete Fourth Season
Five-sixths of the compilation are worthy Columbo's
Five of the six installments in Columbo's fourth season are worthy additions to the detective's almost forty years of sleuthing.
"An Exercise in Fatality" sports he-man actor Robert Conrad as a Jack Lalanne-type that does away with partner who threatens to reveal his underhanded business practices. Though not a classic, it does have a smile-inducing undoing of the villain.
"Negative Reaction" gives funnyman Dick Van Dyke a chance to show his dastardly side as a famous photographer that eradicates his shrewish wife. Vitto Scotti, a featured player in many Columbo, shines as a drunk witness to part of Van Dyke's crime.
"Playback" benefits from the beginning banter between guest murderer Oskar Werner and guest victim Martha Scott. It also features the brilliant Gena Rowlands in the role of Werner's wife.
George Hamilton makes his first appearance as a Columbo "perp" in "A Deadly State of Mind." His second, "Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health" was better, but we all have to start somewhere. "Mind" is still a nice diversion.
The piece de resistance is, of course, "By Dawn's Early Light" with the always-marvelous Patrick McGoohan. McGoohan's Emmy was well-deserved and the actor would return a few more times as either a guest star or a featured director. He and Falk play off each other well and this episode makes wonderful use of that interplay.
By now, it's obvious what this reviewer thinks is the "weakest link" in the set: "Deadly Waters." This sea-bound mystery plods along, with Robert Vaughn making for possibly the series' most boring killer. The episodes' most "salvagable" characteristic is its ship-board setting, along with the inspired casting of Patrick McNee, Bernard Fox, and 40's star Jane Greer.
The "bonus" is another ho-hum installment of the "Mrs. Columbo," the rather uninspired 80's series with Kate Mulgrew. This time Columbo's wife deals with a schizoid ventriloquist.
Been there, done that!Columbo - The Complete Fourth Season
It gets better and better.
Peter Faulk grows so much in this role. You can't help but get caught up in the story even if you have put it on for background while doing other tasks. You'll find you can get very little done around the house while Columbo is on the case.Columbo - The Complete Fourth Season
Columbo
Columbo
Complete Series
Excellent Quallity and very Speedy Service to South Africa
Well done Amazon!!Columbo - The Complete Fourth Season
|
