CANDIDATE FOR CRIME, an episode from season three of Columbo, is one of the best I've seen. The strengths of the episode lie not in anything out of the ordinary - because this is as typically-plotted an episode as you're likely to get - but in the quality of the script, which is very strong. Peter Falk gives possibly his best performance as the detective in this one, looking very crumpled, shuffling around, and appearing constantly humble. It's a tour-de-force performance and one that's matched by former child actor Jackie Cooper as the delightfully haunted guest villain, a sweaty individual who seems to spend half the time looking over his shoulder in fear.
The opening murder sequence is well handled and over with quickly, benefiting from Ken Swofford's fine acting as the victim. Joanne Linville is excellent as Cooper's drunken wife. There are the requisite number of clues and scenes of the detective doing what he does best, hounding his suspect and those who hold information. It's also one of those stories where the murderer compounds his crime by going on to do further actions, which makes for an excellent climax which had me laughing out loud in glee. CANDIDATE FOR CRIME is top-tier Columbo and one for the ages.
The opening murder sequence is well handled and over with quickly, benefiting from Ken Swofford's fine acting as the victim. Joanne Linville is excellent as Cooper's drunken wife. There are the requisite number of clues and scenes of the detective doing what he does best, hounding his suspect and those who hold information. It's also one of those stories where the murderer compounds his crime by going on to do further actions, which makes for an excellent climax which had me laughing out loud in glee. CANDIDATE FOR CRIME is top-tier Columbo and one for the ages.