Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 17

May 11, 2025: Sharky Sunday!

Hanging out at the park with Bubbie…

Blind puggle zoomies…

Celery…

Poop bag deliveries…

Out and About with Sharky: The Old York Tavern…

Sharky’s travel day…

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May 10, 2025: Back in Montreal!

Akemi, Sharky and I landed in Montreal a little after 4:00 p.m.  Given the back and forth I would be doing between mom’s place and the hospital, I elected to rent a car for this trip.  I assume nav systems would be standard in all rentals but not, I had to spring for the Chrysler 300 to get one.  A little pricier, but it’s a nice smooth ride – much appreciated given how long it’s been since I”ve driven to any great degree.  I believe I got rid of my car back in 2018 or so.  7 years!  How time flies.  Or, in this case, rolls along like the wheels on public transport.

We picked up a few sandwiches for dinner, got settle in at o’s place, and then I drove the hospital to spend 3 hours with mom ahead of my sister’s night shift.  Andria has elected to do nights and leave me the lion share of day duty, at least for this weekend until the regular night nurse can resumes her Monday to Thursday night vigils.

Mom is doing surprisingly well.  Still sore from the surgery but spirited, at times remarkably so.  She is missing her dog, Caramel, but Andria wants to arrange a surprise visit for tomorrow.  A special mother’s day treat!

Mom is looking forward to heading home but hasn’t quite realized it’ll be a long road.  Once she leaves the hospital, hopefully next week, she’ll have to go to a convalescent home to regain her mobility.  Only when she’s back on her feet will she be permitted to return home.  But, as I keep reminded her, that is ultimately up to her.  And that seems to motivate her.

As for me, I’m doing a lot of reading.  Tracked down all but 10 of the 81 Crime Writers Association longlist books in contention for this year’s Dagger Awards.  I’m keeping my eye out for the missing titles but, in the meantime, have put together a list of Overlooked Books, much-buzzed crime novels released in 2024 that, for some reason or other, did not make the CWA longlist.

Have a good weekend.  And remember we’ll be reconvening on Monday to discuss the Columbo season 3 finale, “A Friend in Deed”.  Curious to hear all your thoughts!

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May 9, 2025: The Columbo rewatch continues with…Swan Song!

Our Columbo rewatch continues with…

“Swan Song”

This episode aired March 3, 1974.

The prized black guitar featured in this episode was a one-of-a-kind custom build for Johnny Cash that was created without the knowledge of Martin Company President C.F. Martin III as he had always resisted requests to make a black version. Eventually, the company came around and, in honor of Cash, created two black guitars: The Black Martin D-35 and the Black Martin DX.

Although Johnny Cash plays a pilot in this episode, he was actually afraid of flying.

Director Nicholas Colasanto would go on to find fame as Ernie ‘Coach’ Pantusso on Cheers (1982). Tommy Brown’s manager is named after him.

Lucille Meredith, who played Jean the chatty seamstress, was married to Roland Kibbee, a writer/producer on the show.

John Randolph, who portrays Colonel Mayhoff, was the original Frank Costanza on Seinfeld but was ultimately recast.

Actor Sorrell Brooke, who played the groovy-looking J.J. Stringer, would go on to play Boss Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard.

Columbo co-creator Dick Levinson was not a fan of what he felt was the show’s over-reliance on humor. According Levinson: “Peter tended to play broader comedy. He also could make it too cute. They started using to many close-ups, which we disagreed with.” While I agree that a little goes a long way, I also feel that humor really allows viewers to connect with characters.

My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order…

They’re intercutting this concert scene with actual Johnny Cash concert footage. Not exactly seamless, but interesting nevertheless.

Pack that parachute for later. Just in case!

She’s 16!!! He registered them at motels as father and daughter!

And then we have the bible-thumping blackmailer. This episode pulls no punches.

That is one rocky ride. You could not pay me to fly in one of those.

How is that plane crash within crawling difference? And who would possibly believe anyone could “be thrown clear” and survive?

I do like Columbo wandering around in the background, ruining the shot.

Of course Columbo’s wife is a big fan and has all Tommy Brown ‘s albums.

Hmmmm. The seatbelts.

Hmmmm. The empty case.

Columbo on his fear of heights: “As a matter of fact, I don’t even like being this tall.” Best line of the episode.

Even though it’s clearly vamp designed to fill out the longer run time, I really do like this scene of John Vitti’s Mr. Grindell trying to sell Columbo a funeral plan. Apparently, a number of scenes (like the cooking show scene in “Double Shock”) were improvised.

Columbo on his wife: “She cries easily. She cries when she loses at bowling.” I once dated a girl who was much the same. Every time she would start to lose at something, she would burst into tears and quit.

The brother offers Columbo a possible motive: “She had something on him.”

Note that at the opening concert and here at the “pool party”, they practically play the whole song. Gotta make the most of that licensing fee. Also, sounds like he’s backed by a full invisible orchestra.

Looks like a pretty overcast day for a pool party. Can’t help but notice all the guys are wearing jackets while the women are in bikinis.

Columbo on being informed the chili is made with squirrel meat: “Yeah, that explains it.”

Tommy Brown is one cool customer. He’s got an answer for everything: the seatbelts, the missing maps.

Honestly, why would the mechanic mention anything as inconsequential as a thermos?

Tommy creeping on Tina!

Columbo turns down a drink because he says he’s on duty. Come on. Since when has that ever stopped him?

Again, Tommy has an answer for everything.

“People think we got all sorts of record on microfilm, think all we gotta do is push a button and – “
“Well don’t you?
“Yes we do, but not everything.”
Great exchange.

He was a parachute rigger. Well, isn’t that convenient?

“I want to order an autopsy.” Would you like fries with that?

The tox screen reveals trace barbiturates but Tommy suggests it could have been the air sickness pills they took. Again, the man with all the answers.

Another vamp scene but I really do like Lucille Meredith’s kooky and quasi-flirtatious performance here. Ultimately pointless, but fun.

“My husband was half Italian. Oh and a wonderfully warm man too. Just the way Italians are supposed to be.” True.

“Is it old age?”
“No, it’s not that. Who knows what it is, but it’s not that.”
Love this.

Holy smokes, it feels like the extra 20 minutes added to this episode are all parachute-related.

“Guy would probably break something. An arm, a leg or a pelvis or something.” You know, now that you mention it…

The Mystery of the Missing Parachute.

He overhears Columbo enlisting the boy scout troop in the retrieval operation. The kids can make a fun afternoon of searching for the thermos or any overlooked corpses.

Another great little exchange when Columbo talks about what a huge fan his wife is and how she carries on while listening to his records:
“Sometimes I even wonder about my wife.”
“But not like she wants to kill me.”
“No,sir. Just the opposite.”

Tommy won’t require police protection as he is conveniently leaving town.

And he does, but there’s something about the keys…

Ye olde “Caught in the glare of the headlights” shot.

“You know I’d come up here.”
“I knew, then I didn’t know, and then I knew.”

A nice little ending reminiscent of the final scene of Any Old Port in a Storm.

A lot of fun moments here and a great performance by Johnny Cash, but the whole parachute thru-line was ridiculous. The fact that he was a parachute rigger in the army felt enormously contrived, and then the subsequent beats of Columbo pulling together the whole parachute theory felt very drawn out. He could have just learned he was a parachute rigger and then gone straight to “he hid the parachute somewhere”. Did we really need all of the investigate beats related to the size of the parachute, how it would have fit in the case, etc.? Also, the entire sequence of Tommy announcing he was leaving, going to the airport, Columbo seeing him off, and Columbo clocking the keys was unnecessary when you think about it. Why tell Tommy he was going to get police security? Just don’t tell him and allow the whole thing to play out. Finally, the rental key revelation is pointless as well because Columbo would have staked the place out anyway.

In the end, I don’t rate this episode as highly as many Columbo fans. My revised episode rankings: 1. Any Old Port in a Storm, 2. Double Exposure, 3. Double Shock, 4. A Stitch in Crime, 5. Death Lends a Hand, 6. Suitable for Framing, 7. Publish or Perish, 8. Dagger of the Mind, 9 Requiem for a Falling Star, 10. Prescription: Murder, 12. Murder by the Book/Ransom for a Dead Man (tie), 12. Swan Song, 13. Lady in Waiting, 14. Etude in Black, 15. The Most Crucial Game, 16. Blueprint for Murder, 17. Lovely But Lethal, 18. The Most Dangerous Match, 19. The Greenhouse Jungle 20. Dead Weight, 21. Short Fuse, 22. Candidate for Crime, 23. Mind Over Mayhem.

Finally, does Columbo have enough evidence for a conviction. Will Tommy Brown be found GUILTY or is he looking at an ACQUITTAL? Well, after being caught red-handed with that parachute, I think it’s lights out for Tommy. Guilty!

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May 8, 2025: 100 Supervillain Stories – #35-37 (Vulture! Clayface! Venom!)

#35. “Funeral Arrangements” (Spectacular Spider-Man 186-188)

A terminally-ill Adrian Toomes, aka The Vulture, seeks redemption and revenge in the time he has left.

Writer: J.M. DeMatteis
Penciler: Sal Buscema
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterers: Rick Parker, Joe Rosen

This story is as much a reflection on life and legacy as it is a meditation on how we choose to respond to profound adversity. Toomes is driven to pursue revenge against those who wronged him yet, conversely, seeks forgiveness from May Parker for having wronged her in the past. There’s some really nice character work here that offers a multi-layered depiction of the Vulture, establishing the foundation for a compelling fuller arc that is, sadly, never pursued.

#36. “Batman – One Bad Day: Clayface”

After years of doing battle with Batman in Gotham City, Clayface relocates to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams of acting. And nothing will stand in his way…except, of course, the Hollywood system.

Writers: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing
Artist: Xermanico
Colorist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Tom Napolitano

As someone who works in the entertainment industry, I empathize with poor Clayface whose artistic aspirations are thwarted time and again by forces darker than any found in the shadows of Gotham. Kelly and Lanzing do a wonderful job of balancing the horror with humor, all while offering insight into a tortured villain who, at the end of the day, honestly and truly believes in his art. And that proves his downfall. Great.

#37. Venom: The Hunger

Writer: Len Kaminski
Penciler: Ted Halsted
Inker: Scot Koblish
Colorist: Tom Smith
Letterer: Ken Lopez

Eddie Brock wages an internal battle with his alien counterpart and its insatiable hunger.

Despite its dated visual style, this story delivers a unique take on the classic Jekyll and Hyde dichotomy, presenting Brock’s relationship with his parasitic counterpart as something akin to a drug addiction while Venom’s hunger for brains is similarly grounded as a chemical dependence. A vicious and visceral descent into body horror.

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May 7, 2025: Amazing Covers!

A few that caught my eye this week…

Captain Planet #1 – cover art by Mark Spears

Captain Planet #1 – cover art by Ben Oliver

Captain Planet #1 – cover art by Christian Ward

The Herculoids – cover art by Dan Panosian

 

Psylocke #7 – cover art by Scott Forbes

West Coast Avengers #7 – cover art by Alex Ross

X-Men #16 – cover art by Alex Ross

Absolute Green Lantern #2 – cover art by Alex Eckman Lawn

Batgirl #7 – cover art by Dan Mora

Poison Ivy #33 – cover art by KyuYong Eom

Hello Darkness #10 – cover art by Miguel Mercado

A Vicious Circle – cover art by Lee Bermejo

Hello Darkness #10 – cover art by Rebeca Puebla

Robot + Girl #7 – cover art by Mike White

So, which were YOUR favorites?

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May 6, 2025: The Mom Update

Well, the plan was for Akemi, Sharky and I to fly in to Montreal on Friday and spend the next two weeks with mom while my sister headed off for a well-earned two weeks in Cuba.  Unfortunately, fate – and varied ailments – have conspired against us.

Last time I was in town, a little less than two weeks, my mother was seeing some improvement – accomplishing some sustained walking, exercising, even doing stairs instead of relying on the chairlift.  But near the end of my stay, she slipped and almost fell, catching herself on the bathroom sink.  For days afterwards, she complained about pain near her ribs.  It made exercising uncomfortable and, quite quickly, she became immobile.  Unable to physically move my mother to take her to the hospital, sis had to call for an ambulance.

At the hospital, x-rays revealed my mother had a fractured rib – and pneumonia (apparently not uncommon in older people who suffer rib injuries).  She received treatment and made a surprising bounce back.   The following day, she was actually back on her feet and walking.  The hospital suggested keeping her overnight and, if all went well, she would be released – and things could proceed as planned.

Unfortunately, it was not to be.  My sister received a call early yesterday morning informing her that my mother had fallen out of her bed in the middle of the night.  X-rays revealed a fractured hip.

To make a long blog entry short, mom is going in for surgery on Thursday, her second hip surgery after that time she fell while walking the dog.  My sister has elected to cancel her much-needed vacation and it looks like we’ll all be focused on ensuring mom gets back on her feet and is well enough to leave the hospital as quickly as possible.  According to Grok, a patient her age with her pre-existing conditions would take a week to regain initial mobility, but a full recovery may take up to two months.

It’s hard to believe that, this time last year, my mother was actually going in to work 3 days a week!

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May 5, 2025: The Columbo rewatch continues with “Mind Over Mayhem”!

This episode aired February 10, 1974.

The computer room set was a re-use from The Andromeda Strain (1971).

Robert J. Walker, who played Neil Cahill, is perhaps best known for portrayal of Charlie Evans in the Star Trek episode “Charlie X”.

Jessica Walter, who portrayed the enigmatic Margaret Nicholson, would later play the matriarch Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development.

The pivotal “burnt match” in this episode proved to be Peter Falk’s favorite clue in the show’s run. Said Falk: “Great clue. Really great clue. One of the few that really stands out.”

My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order…

Man, war-games have come a long way since this episode was shot.

“We will postpone the rest of WWIII until after lunch, gentlemen.”

This Dr. Nicholson is just begging to get himself murdered: “It’s on paper in my filing cabinet. The evidence.”

The collars on some of these shirts!

Hey, it’s Robby the Robot! Twilight Zone, Lost in Space, now Columbo. It’s great to see he found steady work after Forbidden Planet.

Steven Spelberg, Boy Genius, was of course, a tip of the hat to wunderkind Steve Spielberg who directed the show’s first episode, “Murder by the Book”.

The file can be found under either F for Finch or P for Plagiarism.

Love this scene of Dog being kicked out of the canine academy. Not only is he expelled, but he isn’t even allowed to stay for a few hours while Columbo investigates. “I’m sorry he demoralizes the other students.” My favorite line in this episode.

The only thing missing from the crime scene is a can of heroin. But, to be fair, I’m always misplacing mine. Did you check the back of the pantry?

“He’s my husband, not my father.” Ouch.

This episode is oddly directed. And oddly edited.

It’s not surprising that Columbo suspects the murder scene was staged – and sloppily at that. Should’ve enlisted the help of that boy genius.

The Mystery of the Missing Pipe.

Aha! Columbo clocks the cigar. Boy, clues here are so clunkily introduced that even the West Midlands Police could solve this one.

Love seeing Dog lively and happy. And licky!

Getting the car pool mechanic to take the kid to the movies was clearly not the genius move he thought it was at the time.

Aha! The odometer discrepancy.

Boy, Cahill really didn’t think this one through. This is, by far, the sloppiest murder committed on this show to date. And this guy is supposed to be brilliant?

Dog has separation anxiety. Just like Sharky!

“Looks like this pipe has been run over by a car.” A bit of a leap, but okay. “This pipe looks like it was run over by a midnight blue 1968 Mustang convertible!”

The injuries were consistent with those of a hit-and-run victim!

Columbo is able to wipe the shoe polish off the scuffed door. Man, Nicholson must have really slathered those shoes right before his murder.

The Boy Genius was too smart to be a cop.

Any normal dog would be freaked out being walked like that by a robot.

Who would know that it was heroin as it was labeled with its chemical designation? Rather than clearly being labeled “HEROIN” or “GET SUPER HIGH WITH THIS!”.

Columbo pays Neil a visit, questions him, then the dead man’s wife shows up and Columbo leaves. Uh, what kind of relationship does the bereaved have with boy half her age?

Why didn’t Dr. Cahill kill Margaret too? After all, it was made clear early on that she also knew the truth and was trying to convince Neil to come clean.

Maybe the robot can help figure out the murder through its computational powers of deduction.

“Oh, something just computed,”says Columbo in probably not the best line in this episode.

“We’ll discuss this later, young man. You get back to your lab.” This one got a chuckle though.

“When a case get too tough, I got to talk to my wife,”says Columbo. It’s the same with a tricky script!

Columbo arrests the wrong man. On purpose?

Yes. And uses the prospect of a murder charge to squeeze a confession out of his father. Not sure about the ethics of that move.

Well, I’m glad that’s over. Boy, season 3 has been a roller coaster with some lofty highs and lowly lows. And this episode was pretty low. Setting aside the dated “futuristic set-up”, this episode had a lot not going for it. Cahill stages the murder to look like a drug robbery but, at the same time, also makes it look like a falling out between friends. Why the need to do both? Well, the reason is obvious. The writer needed the crime scene to look like a falling out so that Cahill could smoke the cigar and leave the match behind that would later incriminate him. Sort of. Meanwhile, Margaret Nicholson, the dead man’s less-than-grieving widow remains a mystery throughout, inexplicably standoffish about her husband’s death. And don’t get me started on the Gotcha! that hinges on Columbo knowingly arresting an innocent man in order to force a confession. I cannot believe I’d watch an episode this bad so soon after Candidate for Crime. In the end, not even Dog could save this one.

My revised episode rankings: 1. Any Old Port in a Storm, 2. Double Exposure, 3. Double Shock, 4. A Stitch in Crime, 5. Death Lends a Hand, 6. Suitable for Framing, 7. Publish or Perish, 8. Dagger of the Mind, 9 Requiem for a Falling Star, 10. Prescription: Murder, 12. Murder by the Book/Ransom for a Dead Man (tie), 12. Lady in Waiting, 13. Etude in Black, 14. The Most Crucial Game, 15. Blueprint for Murder, 16. Lovely But Lethal, 17. The Most Dangerous Match, 18. The Greenhouse Jungle 19. Dead Weight, 0. Short Fuse, 21. Candidate for Crime, 22. Mind Over Mayhem.

Finally, let’s consider whether or not Columbo has enough evidence to make the murder charge stick. Will Cahill be found GUILTY or will his defense secure an ACQUITTAL? Well, on the one hand the evidence against him is circumstantial. On the other hand, he did make a confession. BUT he did so under duress and if his lawyer hammers Columbo on his unscrupulous tactics in forcing that confession, then the argument could be made that he confessed to a crime he did not commit in order to protect his son. In which case it’s an ACQUITTAL.

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May 4, 2025: Sharky Sunday!

Pug on the bus interview…

Gimme some!

Go for Pho!

Out and About – De Mello Coffee…

Out and About with Sharky – A Return to Tiny Market!

He loves his scallops.  Takes after dad!

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May 3, 2025: The Saturday Report!

I’ve been making great progress on the Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Awards longlist.  I’ve worked my way through four categories – Whodunit, Twisted, Crime Fiction in Translation, and the Golden Dagger – and am finishing cup a fifth category…

Once done, I’ll start on the First Novel longlist…

And then, time permitting, try to get the Historical longlist titles under my belt.

The shortlist nominees won’t be announced until May 29th, so I may even have the opportunity to check out the Emerging Author and Short Stories categories!

This is the 3rd floor of our building which I’m not calling The Murder Hall.

Well, look who it is, backlight and all.  It’s director and former Dark Matter stunt coordinator John Stead.  We got together for our semi-regular grouse session and enjoyed some schnitzel, a smashburger, fried olives, and this cheesiest of cheese pizzas…

Great catch-up with my favorite director.

This week, the weather was finally warm (and nice) enough for us to pay a return visit to our favorite pasta place in Toronto, Tiny Market.  Owners Erich & Danielle welcomed Sharky back from his winter hibernation and we sat down to our usual multi-pasta lunch.  On the menu on this day…

Casarelle All’Amatriciana: Tomato sugo, Guanciale, Pecorino, Parm, Black Pepper, Olive oil.

Casarelle Alla Vodka: Vodka sauce, Capers, Parsley, Toasted Buckwheat, Black Pepper, Parm, Pecorino.

Parsnip, Gorgonzola & Miso Girasole: Mascarpone & Anchovy sauce, Oregano, Toasted Pine Nut, Black Pepper, EVOO, Meyer Lemon Zest.

Their pasta is always perfectly al dente.  And delicious.

Our most recent Stargate Question of the Day: Assemble your Stargate dream team from four different non-Stargate sci-fi shows!

 

 

 

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May 2, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch continues with “Publish or Perish”!

Our Columbo rewatch continues with…

“Publish or Perish”

This episode aired January 18, 1974.

Columbo joins Eileen and Neal for lunch at the famed Chasen’s Restaurant. The restaurant, that closed in 1995, was, ironically, well known for its chili.

The $6 chili would be equivalent to about $40 today.

This is the second of three episodes featuring Jack Cassidy as a murderer.

His character, Riley Greenleaf, wishes Columbo “all the luck” in solving this mystery, echoing the words of Ken Franklin, the character he played in “Murder by the Book”.

Writer Peter S. Fischer would go on to co-create the series Murder She Wrote with Columbo co-creator’s William Link and Richard Levinson. He wrote the part of Riley Greenleaf with actor Jack Klugman in mind: “I had written that character for Jack Krugman. I wanted the publisher to be much seedier, not the typical elegant Columbo villain. Dick (Levinson) said it works best when you take the scruffy little guy with the blue collar and put him up against diamond studs.” Apparently, Jack Klugman was an actor who Levinson had said should never be a Columbo murderer.

Jake Bender, who played the young messenger Wolpert, would go on to establish himself as a successful director, working on shows like The Sopranos, Lost, and From.

Actress Mariette Hartley, who played Eileen McRae, reflected on her guest appearance: “I didn’t have a great part, but it was great fun working with Peter and Jack Cassidy. They worked very hard, but it was loose. Jack Cassidy would chase me around the set. He was just terrible in a wonderful sort of way.”

Eileen and Jeffrey Neal inform Columbo that Rock Hudson was attached to star in an adaptation of one of Alan Mallory’s books. This was some not-so-subtle cross-promotion for Hudson’s series MacMillan and Wife, another Universal production.

My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order…

Loving the mid-explosion credits.

Eddie seems…how should I put it?…a tad on the psychotic side.

Oh, and he’s also a writer. Not surprising.

Is that…Mickey Spillane?

Clearly, no one likes the slick and seedy Greenleaf.

“My dear friend, if you do you will die.” – That sounds like a threat!

“He’ll never write for you or anyone else. And I shall see to it.” – Okay, confirming we’re in threat territory here.

The picture-in-picture and overlap of the conversation with the shot of Eddie pulling up to the place is pretty clever. Apparently, the episode was running long so director Robert Butler and editor Robert L. Kimble came up with some innovative ways to hit the desired runtime.

Love this split screen action. Very dynamic. This is a first for Columbo.

Clearly causing trouble so that he can establish an alibi, but why not just be loud and stay the night? The entire bar would be able to attest to his whereabouts.

“Sir, in your condition I should call the police.” “Ma’am, in your condition, I should call a plastic surgeon.” A variation on a Winston Churchill classic:
Lady Nancy Astor: “Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your tea.”
Churchill: “Madam, if I were your husband, I would drink it.”

Columbo was up late watching a Bette Davis movie with his wife. He’s a big fan!

Columbo seems to be the only one interested in that recording.

He’s just going to carry the gun out like that? When were evidence bags invented?

Aha! Motive. Mallory was going to leave him for another publisher.

He also made threats. This is either a very sloppy murder or he wants everyone to assume he’s been set up.

His gun has been tied to the crime scene. So, yes, he’s going for set-up.

He claims he doesn’t even remember what he did the previous night – but the insurance company can provide an alibi. How fortuitous.

Columbo seems genuinely relieved for Greeleaf, even giving him a comradely pat on the back. I found that kinda delightful.

Lawyer David Chase (presumably named after Sopranos creator David Chase who was a writer working for Universal at the time) admonishes Columbo: “Find the evidence, lieutenant. Quit jumping to conclusions and quit trying to take the easy way.”

A chastened Columbo goes to leave…and then: “One more thing…”

“And when you said you were relieved that those people – more than one – when you were relieved that those people called your insurance man, I thought maybe the blackout was starting to clear up and you were beginning to remember what happened.” His first mistake is a big one. Now Columbo is never going to let this go.

“There’s a strange man wandering around the editorioal section.”
“Call the police.
“He says he IS the police.”

“But you know you were very lucky. I mean with that accident. I mean the time it happened and the witnesses. Count your blessings, sir.”
“If it hadn’t been for that accident, things would’ve looked very bad for you.”
Columbo is so on to him and Greenleaf knows it.

Love the posters of the book covers adorning the wall: “My Home Was a House” and “Modern Aztec Courtship Practices”.

Columbo floats the idea of trying his hand at writing. “Maybe a short book, just to get the hang of it…” Reminds me of someone who once informed me: “You have the best job in the world. You just sit around all day, making stuff up.”

But Columbo is under no allusions as to how tough it is: “It’s hard at home with the family.” Especially with the demands of a blind puggle!

Hmmm. Greenleaf took out a million dollar insurance policy on Mallory’s life. Not sure this whole “make everyone think you’ve been framed” plan was such a good idea after all. I mean, maybe this could fly on McCloud or even MacMillan and Wife, but certainly not on Columbo.

This whole lock and key thing is confusing.

Uh, I’d be highly suspicious of anyone wearing black leather gloves indoors as he pours me a drink.

Eddie kinda reminds me of Steve Buscemi.

“How To Blow Up Anything in Ten Easy Lessons”. Sadly, I am unable to find a copy of this book on Amazon.

“Don’t I need a parking check?”asks Columbo. “Listen mister, I’ll remember your car,” the valet assures him.

“Sweetbreads Financier. I can’t pronounce that, uh.” I’d actually order that over the chili.

Classic Columbo, asking for catsup and crackers at the high-end restaurant: “I wanted to get those saltines…”

Love the little exchange with the waiter where a shocked Columbo has the iced tea added to his bill. Actor Maurice Marsac, who played the waiter, was a Captain in the French Army reserves during WWII. He was a nationally ranked croquet player and actually came to the U.S. as a wine salesman.

Columbo says they found a letter addressed to Greenleaf from months ago – but if that’s the case, shouldn’t the letter have been sent? Assume this is a carbon copy?

Greenleaf blames Eddie for not accepting the five thousand dollar offer for his book idea.

“I guess he killed Alan and he tried to frame me. You know, in many ways I’m really to blame.” Yes, Riley. You certainly are.

That cop standing in the hallway looks like a young Lee Majors.

“This writing is not as easy as it looks.” The writers must have loved putting these words in Falk’s mouth.

He mentions the Hayward case again from two episodes back!

“I got it all up here. I can’t put it down here.” Oh, I know how you feel, Columbo. I know how you feel.

“That lock wasn’t on the door that night.” Uh, why did Columbo ask to have the lock changed? I mean, it worked out for him, but what was he thinking at the time?

Another great Gotcha! How could Eddie have come up with an ending that wouldn’t be written for another nine months?!

This one was another very enjoyable episode, but it’s an episode that demands your full attention given its complexities (like that lock-and-key clue-line that, strangely, never fully pays off in the end). Still, “Publish or Perish” is incredibly well-paced and chock full of great Columbo moments, my favorite being the elevator sequence where Columbo not-so-subtly lets Greenleaf know he aint buying his alibis. And the entire sequence in which Greenleaf attempts to establish an alibi is fantastic. Falk is terrific as always and Jack Cassidy delivers yet another brilliant performance. I look forward to his third and final appearance as a diabolical magician. Kudos to the supporting cast, from the underutilized Mariette Hartley and Jacques Aubuchon to the maniacal John Davis Chandler as Eddie Kane. And, of course, Maurice Marsac as the snooty waiter.

So, where does this episode place in my ongoing rankings? Well, overall, I really liked this episode – but would dock it a few points for crossing the line from complex to confusing in some of its third act beats. Thus, my revised rankings would look like this: 1. Any Old Port in a Storm, 2. Double Exposure, 3. Double Shock, 4. A Stitch in Crime, 5. Death Lends a Hand, 6. Suitable for Framing, 7. Publish or Perish, 8. Dagger of the Mind, 9 Requiem for a Falling Star, 10. Prescription: Murder, 12. Murder by the Book/Ransom for a Dead Man (tie), 12. Lady in Waiting, 13. Etude in Black, 14. The Most Crucial Game, 15. Blueprint for Murder, 16. Lovely But Lethal, 17. The Most Dangerous Match, 18. The Greenhouse Jungle 19. Dead Weight, 0. Short Fuse, 21. Candidate for Crime.

Finally, time consider whether our murderer, Riley Greenleaf in this case, would be found GUILTY or win an ACQUITTAL based on the evidence. As in most Columbo cases, this one comes down to circumstantial evidence, but I think there’s enough of it here to convict…provided the prosecutor can lay it all out for the jury. So I say GUILTY!

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