First of all, to the person who isn't sure whether the guy killed his wife, I can point to three closeups where he shows us that he is indeed a murderer. His facial expressions tell the story. Ruth Gordon decides that he needs to pay the price for the death of her dear daughter. Her plan is a good one, but he probably could have survived and ruined it for her. Mariette Hartley is the fly in the ointment. She decides to make hay while the sun shines and betray her boss. The business with the key. Why she didn't find a time to just get rid of it rather than put it in that sand tray. Since no one was looking for it for some time, it would have been so easy to get rid of.
Ruth is great. One little bit that is getting a bit tired. It is Columbo's astonishment when he must interrogate a famous person. He is so stunned. This time Gordon is a famous Agatha Christie type mystery writer, every book gold. It is like he had never met anyone with celebrity when it has happened over and over. Let's face it. He only ends up at the most high profile cases. That said, it doesn't matter. Loved it anyway.
Ruth is great. One little bit that is getting a bit tired. It is Columbo's astonishment when he must interrogate a famous person. He is so stunned. This time Gordon is a famous Agatha Christie type mystery writer, every book gold. It is like he had never met anyone with celebrity when it has happened over and over. Let's face it. He only ends up at the most high profile cases. That said, it doesn't matter. Loved it anyway.