February 21, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch continues with…Ransom for a Dead Man!

This episode first aired March 1, 1971, three years after the first Columbo pilot, “Prescription Murder”.

A month after “Ransom for a Dead Man” aired, NBC commissioned the show’s first season.

This episode was written by Dean Hargrove, based on a story by Columbo creators William Link and Richard Levinson.

Lee Grant, who was a good friend of Peter Falk, received an Emmy nomination for her performance. According to Grant: “I had worked with Peter a lot, so it was an easy and fun collaboration.” In fact, the two would continue their working relationship later that year, co-starring on Broadway in Neil Simon’s “The Prisoner of Second Avenue”.

At one point, Margaret is watching Hitchcock’s Double Indemnity on t.v., a movie about a wife who orchestrates the murder of her husband in order to cash in on his insurance policy.

Like the last time, my thoughts in chronological viewing order…

Even though it has its detractors, I for one really liked the stylized, hyperkinetic murder that is in stark contrast to the more visceral killing in “Prescription Murder”. I also loved the opening credits playing over the clean-up. This one hits the ground running.

Loved the moment where Leslie is in court, having a private conversation, only to redirect focus back to the court in order to object. A funny little moment that goes such a long way toward establishing her brilliance.

Falk was apparently a huge fan of the introduction of Columbo in this episode, and his awkward search for his pen. I liked it too but if the conceit is that he is doing this on purpose to disarm a potential suspect, then are we to assume that he suspects Leslie Williams of murdering her husband before he has even met her? If so, on what basis? Perhaps the fact that the driver’s side seat of the car was pushed up? That, I suppose, might do it.

I also loved the scene where the detectives are holding court and Columbo is poking his head in, bobbing in and out like a child looking to be included at the big kid’s table.

I did laugh when Leslie gives Columbo directions to the bathroom, treating him like a simpleton. And then for him to come downstairs and inquire about the lemon soaps was perfection. The Columbo character makes a huge leap in his evolution here – less direct, goofier, but downright lovable.

Really enjoyed the telephone sequence and thought the episode was really well-paced, but the whole airplane drop-off and helicopter sequence just went on way too long.

As always, our Columbo picks up on the little things others miss – like the fact that she didn’t ask about her husband. Maybe not a huge tell, but a small part of a much bigger puzzle of conjecture.

Nice to see Columbo push back against Agent Carlson, informing him: “This is murder now, and that’s my department.”

Again, lots of nice investigative touches throughout: his attempts to trip her up about the money bag, the caliber of the bullet and its trajectory.

But then I love the reversal when they’re in the plane and she turns the tables on him. “Watch out for that peak!” she says, suddenly in control even though he’s the one piloting the plane. And she effectively shuts him up by making him motion sick. A great, great scene.

I wasn’t too enamored of the Margaret character or the actress’s performance. It all felt too shrill and one-note – to the point where I was kind of rooting for Leslie to off the petulant brat as well.

Some great verbal sparring between Columbo and Leslie. “I just can’t have you accused of murder on the wrong evidence,” he tells her. And, in an observation that echoes Dr. Flemming’s psychiatrist profiling in the previous episode, Leslie offers her own take on the rumpled detective, capping it with: “You’re almost likable in a shabby sort of way”.

Like last episode, I wonder about airport security in the 60’s and 70’s. Could you really bring a briefcase full of cash as part of your carry-on luggage?

Another parallel to “Prescription Murder” is Columbo’s final assessment of the villain. In Leslie’s case, it’s “Mrs. Williams, you have no conscience and that’s your weakness.”

I did really love the final moment of Columbo struggling to pay the tab despite the briefcase full of cash sitting on the table in front of him.

Overall, I thought this another excellent outing. I felt “Prescription Murder’s” shortcomings were a result of the fact it felt small given it was an adaptation of a stage play, while “Ransom for a Dead Man” certainly enjoyed a fuller scope.

There were elements that stood out for me: the opening, Lee Grant’s performance, the plane ride sequence, the evolution of the Columbo character and some delightfully humorous scenes. On the other hands, I did bump on some narrative elements as well, mainly related to the Margaret character who I felt disjointed from the story both tonally and as a plot element. And that initial night-time money drop sequence effectively killed the momentum.

So, while I did enjoy both episodes, I would rate “Prescription Murder” slightly higher. I think I’ll keep a running count as our rewatch progresses.

Finally, as promised, I conclude each write-up with my thoughts on whether or not Columbo will actually get a conviction based on the evidence he has gathered at episode’s end. CONVICTION or ACQUITTAL? In this case, I do believe forensic’s ability to trace the source of the money will result in Leslie’s conviction…for, well, I’m not sure what. Fraud? I mean, she is stealing her own money after all. But there is no proof she committed the murder. And, unlike a lot of murderers on the show, she doesn’t admit her guilt in the episode’s closing moments. She’s a savvy lawyer and I can see her successfully arguing her case. So, in the end,I believe she’ll escape the murder charge. ACQUITTAL!

What say you?

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