Candidate for Crime
- Episode aired Nov 4, 1973
- TV-PG
- 1h 38m
Senatorial candidate Nelson Hayward murders his domineering campaign manager, staging it to appear that Hayward himself was the intended victim of a mob hit gone wrong.Senatorial candidate Nelson Hayward murders his domineering campaign manager, staging it to appear that Hayward himself was the intended victim of a mob hit gone wrong.Senatorial candidate Nelson Hayward murders his domineering campaign manager, staging it to appear that Hayward himself was the intended victim of a mob hit gone wrong.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe children's song "This Old Man" appears in almost every episode of the Columbo series, sometimes as background music, but most often with Lt. Columbo singing, humming, or whistling the tune. This is the only episode where the murderer (Jackie Cooper as political candidate Nelson Hayward) is heard using it; in this case, he is whistling it as he prepares to film a campaign commercial.
- GoofsNelson prepares an anonymous letter to himself. A cut up newspaper nearby suggests that the letter was fashioned from newspaper cuttings, yet extensive white space surrounding the individual words (in various fonts) reveals that they were individually printed on a blank sheet before they were cut, with no adjacent words or lettering anywhere around them.
- Quotes
[Columbo's car has been repaired. He's presented with the bill]
Lt. Columbo: That much, huh?
Shelly: Wasn't the parts so much as the time it took. It's not easy to work on a car in that condition.
Lt. Columbo: Will you take a check?
Shelly: You haven't got a credit card?
Lt. Columbo: I'm from the... uh... police. Lieutenant Columbo... uh.
[He struggles to get out his I.D]
Shelly: What, are you... uh... undercover or something?
Lt. Columbo: No, I'm underpaid.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Columbo: Publish or Perish (1974)
- SoundtracksThis Old Man
(uncredited)
Traditional children's song hummed by Jackie Cooper before TV commercial.
As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Saying this is not a spoiler it is simply what happens in all the films. With this strict adherence to formula it is usually down to several factors whether or not the Columbo film stands out or if it is just average. With this film the potential is all there: political shenanigans, a good plot and a nice dynamic of power/humility between the two men in the story. The script has Columbo drawing the suspects out in such a manner that they betray themselves with a manner that makes the characters think he is just being insensitive; pick of the lines "is that what first attracted you to him", Columbo asks Hayward's secret lover, her face falls until he concludes "as a candidate" great writing and it is enjoyable and engaging watch him pick away at the stories.
Falk is as good as ever, playing it oh so down-at-heel and unassuming, coming across as bumbling but having a reason behind even the most innocuous statement. As always, a lot depends on the suspect in terms of both material and performances. With Cooper, both elements are strong; his character has a good tension with Falk that makes it all the more satisfying to see him slip up as he goes. His performance is well pitched and I found him a good match for Falk throughout and he stood out as one of the stronger Columbo cameos that I've seen. Sterling is pretty simple but Linville is convincing as an insecure and needy wife. Swofford is amusingly boisterous as the victim of the piece and, like many of the Columbo series, actors make repeat performances in this case it was the guy playing the Deputy Commissioner, a step up from his role in Any Old Port in a Storm.
Overall this is an enjoyable entry in the Columbo series that will please fans as well as the casual viewer. The plot is good and the manner in which Columbo goes at it is very satisfying; the writing helps, developing the story as well as showing good in the dialogue. Falk is as good as always and Cooper is just as strong. Could have perhaps made more of the political pressure that would have been on Columbo, or scored more points at the expense of the political system in the US but the film runs to formula and is enjoyably satisfying throughout.
- bob the moo
- May 9, 2005
Details
- Runtime1 hour 38 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1