March 3, 2025: The Columbo rewatch continues with “Dead Weight!”

This episode first aired October 27, 1971

Major General Hollister’s house in this episode actually belonged to Peter Falk and is located in Newport Beach, California.

At one point, when Columbo flashes his badge, the first name “Frank” can be glimpsed. Series creators Levinson and Link later denied ever giving Columbo a first name. This was probably something the props department whipped up without running it through proper channels.

Helen Stewart tells the police her phone is 985-4321 which was the number for Universal Studios.

Some of the Mrs. Melville books featured in “Murder by the Book” appear as part of Hollister’s library. The General clearly enjoys his cozy mysteries.

Eddie Albert, who played Hollister, was a WWII hero himself. He rescued 70 wounded marines, while under fire, at the Battle of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands in November of 1943.

Peter Falk and Universal were warring when this episode was shot. Falk, incensed because he felt the studio was reneging on its promise to let him direct, walked off the set and pretended to be sick, halting production. Universal threatened to sue him, so he grudgingly returned – to a very resentful crew and guest cast. The production had shot around him as much as possible (which explains the lack of chemistry in most of his scenes). When he asked to reshoot said scenes, the director and crew flatly refused.

Suzanne Pleshette, who had been friends with Falk since the age of 14, was incredibly disappointed in his behavior given she had another job lined up after the show, a job she desperately needed at the time. Despite their friendship, Pleshette didn’t talk to Falk for a year after this episode was shot.

In a later interview, Pleshette revealed that Eddie Albert was equally incensed with Falk’s behavior. According to her, Albert told Falk: “I always wanted to meet you, I always wanted to work with you, but you’re a real asshole.” Oof.

My thoughts on the episode in chronological viewing order…

All those pistols and machine-guns casually lying around Hollister’s place. Who does he think he is? Jake Paul?

When Colonel Dutton pays him a visit, Hollister offers him a drink. My first reaction was “What time is it?!” Hollister is still in his bathrobe. I noted a heck of a lot of drinking in this episode.

Once again, a bloodless murder as we cut away before seeing the B-side hit. And, again, a stylistic choice I didn’t really mind it.

Were garish yellow and red standard sailing colors for women at the time?

How good are this woman’s eyes that she can spot a guy in a bathroom shooting another guy in military uniform from that distance?

I like the little moment where the cop informs Columbo that the parking spot is reserved for police. Once again, everyone underestimating the little guy.

Why is Columbo dispatched here? This isn’t an official murder investigation yet.

I found it odd that the General didn’t notice the police cars parked outside his home. Or maybe he did and chose to act cool under pressure. Which brings me to Eddie Albert’s performance. Despite this episode’s shortcomings, I think he is absolutely terrific.

Wouldn’t Hollister immediately ask Columbo about the reason for his inquiry? I’m thinking an innocent man surely would.

This is the third time in four episodes Columbo uses the murder suspect’s fancy desktop lighter. Will this become a running gag?

I think Hollister’s tuxedo is so black that it’s blue, and I absolutely love it.

I rolled my eyes when Hollister conveniently remembers stumbling over the crate with the gun in his hand. It was at this moment that I could tell the writing would be a drop down in quality from previous episodes.

“Mistakes have no gender.” How topical.

This line made me laugh: “Mrs. Stewart. Did it look like she could’ve been drinking?” She was sailing! Of course she was drinking!

Hollister tracking down the witness to the shooting and then wooing her makes absolutely no sense. Why is he doing this and unnecessarily completing things for himself? What is his motivation here?

Columbo pays the women a visit and they are, of course, drinking. I guess that was the 70’s.

I thought it an odd directorial choice to have the mother carry the carving knife to answer the door. I mean, who does that? And it certainly didn’t add any sense of suspense to the moment.

Man, if I was Helen, I’d be looking for a new place to live after her mom says: “No wonder he asked for a divorce.”

Columbo sure loves his chili!

Ah, the old secret compartment behind the bookcase trick. How very Get Smart of Hollister.

Why would Columbo find it suspicious that Hollister’s boat is coming in while other boats are going out? Boats go in and out all the time. In fact, it’s more likely that you’d be going out early if you were going fishing, no?

This whole prized missing pistol beat and ensuing thru-line feels incredibly contrived.

Why the hell didn’t he weigh the body down when he dumped it out at sea? You think Big Pussy washed up on the Jersey Shore?

Columbo’s boat trip with Hollister is amusing, but ultimately feels like a lesser riff of the plane-ride scene from “Ransom for a Dead Man”.

Hugely coincidental that the owner of the chili shop happens to have a bunch of war memorabilia he can’t bring himself to throw away.

I like the fact that Helen’s “Some men, lieutenant, do not want to look like an unmade bed.” prompts Columbo to adjust his tie.

Why did Columbo invite Helen to the gotcha moment? In order to humiliate her? Reminder her of her terrible luck with men?

This whole convoluted deal regarding the duplicate gun doesn’t really make any sense.

So, not one of Columbo’s stronger outings. I’d rate this one dead last of the five episodes we’ve watched so far. #1 Death Lends a Hand, #2 Prescription: Murder, #3 Ransom for a Dead Man/Murder by the Book (tie), #4 Dead Weight.

Now to the question of whether Columbo has enough evidence against General Hollister to put him away. In this case, I believe the ballistics match and witness testimony in addition to clear motive makes this one an open and shut case. GUILTY!

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