This may not be the greatest Columbo from the great days of the 1970's but it is still worth watching.
One of the features of any Columbo is seeing the great man wear down his suspect to a near nervous breakdown with his constant presence as he worries about 'loose ends' and always needs to ask 'one more thing'. In this episode the suspect is composed and seems completely nerveless under Columbo's probing, even stating quite openly that she knows he is trying to trick her into giving herself away. Only when Columbo reveals the vital evidence does she mop her brow and reveal she has been under strain - it's such a slight gesture but speaks volumes.
Joyce Van Patten's performance is deceptively understated. She is, in fact, one of the most calculating killers Columbo comes up against. Not only does she murder her brother and another man to protect her inheritance, she tries to frame her niece (who in different circumstances could have been her daughter) for the crime, and many years before murdered the fiancè who deserted her and married her sister. (Yes, Columbo says he lied to the niece about this but Peter Falk hesitates so long before replying I think it's clear he finds it hard to tell an untruth when he knows a crime has been committed.) Notice also how Aunt Ruth materialises at the edge of the frame when characters thought they were alone - this adds to the menace of the character.
Celeste Holm adds comedy relief as the neurotic sister extremely well. In less skilled hands this character would stick out like a sore thumb. As played she is completely credible.
One of the features of any Columbo is seeing the great man wear down his suspect to a near nervous breakdown with his constant presence as he worries about 'loose ends' and always needs to ask 'one more thing'. In this episode the suspect is composed and seems completely nerveless under Columbo's probing, even stating quite openly that she knows he is trying to trick her into giving herself away. Only when Columbo reveals the vital evidence does she mop her brow and reveal she has been under strain - it's such a slight gesture but speaks volumes.
Joyce Van Patten's performance is deceptively understated. She is, in fact, one of the most calculating killers Columbo comes up against. Not only does she murder her brother and another man to protect her inheritance, she tries to frame her niece (who in different circumstances could have been her daughter) for the crime, and many years before murdered the fiancè who deserted her and married her sister. (Yes, Columbo says he lied to the niece about this but Peter Falk hesitates so long before replying I think it's clear he finds it hard to tell an untruth when he knows a crime has been committed.) Notice also how Aunt Ruth materialises at the edge of the frame when characters thought they were alone - this adds to the menace of the character.
Celeste Holm adds comedy relief as the neurotic sister extremely well. In less skilled hands this character would stick out like a sore thumb. As played she is completely credible.