Columbo: A Friend in Deed (1974)
Season 3, Episode 8
One of the best Columbos ever. What twist this one has is that the killer is none other than the police commissioner himself. Columbo's boss! How can he catch his own boss?
5 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Richard Kiley is the second best Columbo murderer of all time. Too bad he was only in one episode (Jack Cassidy was #1 on my list). The writing of this one is tight and the characters are sharply drawn and performed. Old Peter Falk-John Cassavete-Ben Gazzara (who also directed this episode) friend Val Avery is superb in the small role of Artie Jessup. His interplay with Columbo about the fake jewels is priceless. The familiarity between the two actors is marvelous.

Peter Falk was once again in top form. His scenes with Richard Kiley play like a Broadway show. The final scene where Kiley is caught is priceless. "These are my socks, my underwear, my niece, my nephew, my brother-in-law..."
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