Columbo: Ransom for a Dead Man (1971)

Featured Audience Ratings

• xGary X

  
  The first episode proper sees Columbo investigating a cold and calculating but charming lawyer who stages a fake kidnapping to cover up the murder of her husband. The plot is not the best of the series, and it is slightly marred by some dated and gimmicky camera work but it introduces… More
  The first episode proper sees Columbo investigating a cold and calculating but charming lawyer who stages a fake kidnapping to cover up the murder of her husband. The plot is not the best of the series, and it is slightly marred by some dated and gimmicky camera work but it introduces Columbo's now familiar idiosyncrasies and the interplay between he and his suspect as they constantly try to wrong foot each other is brilliant. It's also unusual in that it introduces a partner in crime solving in the shape of the victim's disgruntled daughter leading to a great climax as they dismantle the perfect crime, detail by insignificant detail. And movie buffs should watch out for the clip of Double Indemnity too!