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From Amazon.co.uk
Armchair sleuths, get out your trenchcoats: Universal has released the sophomore season (1972-73) of the classic detective series Columbo, starring Peter Falk as the sage but rumpled police lieutenant. As with the first season, there's plenty of star power in front of and behind the camera to abet Falk in these eight 90- and 120-minute episodes: John Cassavetes stars in the season premiere, Etude in Black, as a philandering symphony conductor, with Blythe Danner and Hollywood legend Myrna Loy in support; Oscar winner Ray Milland is a scheming orchid grower in "The Greenhouse Jungle," co-starring Bradford Dillman and William Smith; Robert Culp and Dean Stockwell are a football team manager and owner, respectively, whose disagreements blossom into murder in "The Most Crucial Game"; and Jeanette Nolan offers stellar comic relief in "Double Shock," which features Martin Landau as identical twins--one of whom has murdered their uncle. Performances by Richard Basehart, Laurence Harvey, Leonard Nimoy, Anne Francis, Anne Baxter, and Mel Ferrer also highlight the season; direction by small-screen stalwarts like Boris Sagal, Jeremy Paul Kagan, and Nicholas Colasanto ("Coach" on Cheers) and scripts by Stephen Bochco also bring quality and style to the proceedings. Sadly, no extras are available in this five-disc set, but the stellar image and sound quality (and lack of commercials) should appeal to series fans and newcomers alike. --Paul Gaita
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 48 people found the following review helpful
By Colin C
Format:DVD
Season Two is when Columbo really starts to hit his stride. The opening season has its moments, but Lt Columbo isn't yet quite crumpled and disshevelled enough while his character is being developed. Now, his mannerisms are becoming more eccentric and therefore all the more watchable.
This series features (among others) John Cassavetes as the orchestra conductor, Martin Landau as the twins, Ray Milland as the greenhouse gardener and also Honor Blackman in a bizarre episode set in London (where Columbo is on holiday!). It's odd (and entertaining) to see him out of his usual California settings in that episode.
No extras, but 6 DVDs, ten hours of viewing and crisp picture quality make this an absolute must for Columbo fans, especially at this bargain price.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Despite being a short, scruffy detective who drives an ancient Peugeot, Columbo always winds up investigating the rich, famous and glamorous. Then he pretends to be dumb, and humbled by their greatness. This leads the murderers to give away more than they should, which is ultimately their undoing.
Formulaic yes, but boring? Never. Most of this is down to Peter Falk, of course, who is eminently watchable. The denouement is something we all look forward to: that delicious moment when the murderer realises he is hoist with his own petard, as it were. Falk never disappoints throughout this second series.
The first series, I'm sure, had more episodes, but never mind. This comes in the same attractive packaging, and the DVD transfer is very good indeed, though variable across the discs. Perhaps the source material wasn't perfect in each case. The very first episode struck me as being particularly gorgeous to look at. But at least one later on looks muddy and washed out in places. Overall though, no complaints. The sound is good too.
I'm a bit disappointed to find there are, once again, no special features at all.
But for fans of Columbo, and of the period, this is well worth getting.
Formulaic yes, but boring? Never. Most of this is down to Peter Falk, of course, who is eminently watchable. The denouement is something we all look forward to: that delicious moment when the murderer realises he is hoist with his own petard, as it were. Falk never disappoints throughout this second series.
The first series, I'm sure, had more episodes, but never mind. This comes in the same attractive packaging, and the DVD transfer is very good indeed, though variable across the discs. Perhaps the source material wasn't perfect in each case. The very first episode struck me as being particularly gorgeous to look at. But at least one later on looks muddy and washed out in places. Overall though, no complaints. The sound is good too.
I'm a bit disappointed to find there are, once again, no special features at all.
But for fans of Columbo, and of the period, this is well worth getting.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By jw12
Format:DVD
8 great episodes (74 minutes each). The only little drawback was the introduction to each episode - which for some reason showed a montage of scenes from the episode you are about to see. I couldn't see the point of this - it was pointless and a bit irritating, I didn't want my anticipation spoiled. They were hard to by-pass as well - I had to settle for closing my eyes while they were on!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In 1968 America saw the advent of a new television detective, Lt. Columbo (played by Peter Falk). Columbo quickly became a favorite with audiences, and his trademark rumpled raincoat and distinctive way of talking made him instantly recognizable. The pilot movie for Columbo premiered in 1968, and they are still making Columbo movies to this day.
Yep, I have been a Columbo fan pretty much as long as I can remember and I was quite glad when this collection came out. It has nine great, uncut episodes, and is quite a value for your dollar. My family and I love watching these DVDs, and highly recommend them to you and your family.
The eight episodes are:
Étude in Black - 17 September 1972 - When a symphony conductor's mistress decides to go public with his infidelities, he decides on murder. Before you know it, though, a detective in a rumpled raincoat is on his tail.
The Greenhouse Jungle - 15 October 1972 - A desperate young man's plan to get money out of his trust fund goes awry when his uncle (Ray Milland!) murders him and takes the money for himself. Now, the uncle just needs someone to take the fall.
The Most Crucial Game - 5 November 1972 - When a rich young playboy is found dead in his pool, Columbo begins to get suspicious. But, his prime suspect has an ironclad alibi...or does he? (Includes Valerie Harper as a callgirl!)
Dagger of the Mind - 26 November 1972 - When two British actors accidentally kill their producer, they try to cover it up, but little do they realize just how much trouble that little detective in from America can be! (Lots of familiar British actors in this one!
... Read more ›2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I love Columbo. Everybody does and anyone who says they don't is simply in denial.
Series two is full of genuinely good, clever, interesting and imaginative stuff that should be taught in script writing/ direting/ editing/ production and acting schools all over the world.
Every episode here is a great example of it's genre in it's time and two of them are truly superb.
Etude in Black with John Cassavettes (Bad spelling but I don't have the credits to hand for reference!) is very clever and engaging from start to finish with stellar performances from all and we also get some interesting character insights on Columbo himself.
A Stitch in Crime is one of my all time favourite episodes. Again a well thought out story and excellent script and acting from all especially Leonard Nimoy as the truly evil and conniving surgeon out for profit and fame at all costs. This episode is, I believe unique (Pleaese correct me if I am wrong), in the fact that Columbo gets angry with the murderer during his 'I know you did it but I can't prove it yet' confrontation in the doctors office. That was genuinely shocking and added a whole other depth of character to him. Through all the murders we've seen him investigate with a totally professional and distant manner here we see that emotion is only just below the surface.
These two epidodes are stand out for me but of course all the other episodes are just as engaging and well made.
Well I think that's it I shall leave you in piece now and.....Oh, there is just one more thing. Series two is when we meet Dog, Columbos wonderfully floppy Basset hound! I want one sooo much and I love Dog to bits and again he gives another layer of character to Columbo.
All told a great collection of great stories, great acting and a floppy dog. Brilliant!
Series two is full of genuinely good, clever, interesting and imaginative stuff that should be taught in script writing/ direting/ editing/ production and acting schools all over the world.
Every episode here is a great example of it's genre in it's time and two of them are truly superb.
Etude in Black with John Cassavettes (Bad spelling but I don't have the credits to hand for reference!) is very clever and engaging from start to finish with stellar performances from all and we also get some interesting character insights on Columbo himself.
A Stitch in Crime is one of my all time favourite episodes. Again a well thought out story and excellent script and acting from all especially Leonard Nimoy as the truly evil and conniving surgeon out for profit and fame at all costs. This episode is, I believe unique (Pleaese correct me if I am wrong), in the fact that Columbo gets angry with the murderer during his 'I know you did it but I can't prove it yet' confrontation in the doctors office. That was genuinely shocking and added a whole other depth of character to him. Through all the murders we've seen him investigate with a totally professional and distant manner here we see that emotion is only just below the surface.
These two epidodes are stand out for me but of course all the other episodes are just as engaging and well made.
Well I think that's it I shall leave you in piece now and.....Oh, there is just one more thing. Series two is when we meet Dog, Columbos wonderfully floppy Basset hound! I want one sooo much and I love Dog to bits and again he gives another layer of character to Columbo.
All told a great collection of great stories, great acting and a floppy dog. Brilliant!
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The episodes are syndication cuts
Beginning with Season 2, Universal began releasing syndication cut episodes as "complete and uncut" episodes. Read more
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