Review of Playback

Columbo: Playback (1975)
Season 4, Episode 5
8/10
A stellar cast but story weakens a typical Columbo!
20 May 2006
I have to say that I never heard of Oscar Werner until I saw him in this Columbo episode. He plays dashing but strange, charming but unfaithful electronics expert who wants to maintain control of his wife's family company which is what he is an expert in. The house has cameras and security that anybody would envy. When his mother-in-law played by the legendary actress, Martha Scott, announces her plans to give the company control to another family member. Werner's character stages a perfect murder so to say but you forgot that COlumbo is investigating it. Anyway his wife is played by the glorious and beautiful Gena Rowlands as an invalid who needs special care. She describes herself that "she's not that fragile." OF course, your heart breaks for her. I love the scene with Columbo in the art gallery with Patricia Barry, another great actress.
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