Having seen all of this episode, there's a detail I noticed that I'm surprised they didn't run with, a clue to lead Columbo to question if this really was an accident. In the story, the owner of the gym appears to have died in an accident attempting a bench press, and yet the bar was a curling bar. Why would the owner of the gym, someone who has to make sure that equipment is used properly in order to prevent accidents from occuring, attempt bench pressing with a curling bar?
It`s amazing how a detective can solve a homicide on something that the muderer would never suspect in a million years.. Imagine what columbo could`ve done with today`s technology
After probably watching this, I wonder what percentage of homicide detectives habitually check victim's shoes in the possibility they could uncover something similar....
@lewisner From 1972 to 1977 there were a series of court cases and propositions that removed and restored capital punishment. As a result, California's last hanging was in 1967. Since capital punishment was resumed in 1992, the condemned person has had a choice of lethal gas or lethal injection. If he (or she) does not state a preference, the default choice is injection. This Columbo clip is from 1974.
I haven't seen the whole episode in a long time but by judging from this clip, the last person to see Stafford alive said he was in his work clothes yet Janus somehow knew Stafford changed into his gym clothes and that's how Stafford was found dead. I guess Columbo's point is Janus had a motive and had the ability to splice up tapes to make Stafford seem alive so he's a likely suspect. It was more than Janus just being lucky when he said Stafford was in his gym clothes.
I don't get the "GOTCHA!" moment here. Let's accept the initial conclusion that Mr Stafford didn't tie his own shoes. Milo could still have had the conversation where Stafford told him he was changing into his gym clothes, after which he was promptly murdered by someone else. The GOTCHA doesn't PROVE that Milo did it. So what if Milo knew about the gym clothes? Stafford told him he was about to work out so it could even be a natural ASSUMPTION he made in his statement. Seems lousy.
@dredericktotem1245 at no point did stafford say he was going to work out. He had no plans to work out whatsoever , hence he scoffed a chinese just prior to being murdered and it was this meal which was used as "evidence" too because columbo says "why would he eat a huge meal then work out?"
@ilovemoviesuk But there was no direct evidence of the contents of the "conversation" (which we know to be fake) between Milo and Stafford, right? E.g. tape evidence. My point is that if you can't PROVE that the conversation didn't occur, then Stafford could have told Milo he was going to work out - which is why he was found dead (murdered) in his gym clothes. Just because Milo put it in his statement doesn't PROVE he did it or anything. Columbo tried to make out it is a massive inconsistency.
And its your perfect alibi thats gonna hang you. Columbo is the best TV detective, love the way he starts off being dumb and bumbling and then becomes more and more passive agreesive as he gains more proof.
@IFStravinsky When you say Jumped the Shark, do you mean that by this episode the writers were running out of ideas and were grabbing at straws, or do you simply mean they messed up.
@william2jack3 I think the show went into decline after this. The left handed thing was just a continuity problem, but the whole premise is shaky. I'm left handed, and I tried my shoes while I was watching this video, and for the life of me I make out which loop was up and which was down. I don't think a jury would, either.
@IFStravinsky Columbo's right. I just tied a shoelace and the top loop is on the left. The top loop is the top because the other side, the loose end, is on top. I don't know anything about whether the victim is LH or RH so you might be right (or left) about that.
You know what I love about Columbo? He is the very definition of a 'Wolf in Sheeps clothing'.
He intentionally makes himself look bumbling and overly-polite fool. But he is absolutely ruthless in the persuit of justic. A true hero and an amazing portrayal by Peter Falk.
@louthegiantcookie I also like how Columbo's tone changes, depending on the arrogance of the killer and/or the nature of the crime. Sometimes, he's sympathetic, but sometimes he's not, as in this case. Great acting.
Having seen all of this episode, there's a detail I noticed that I'm surprised they didn't run with, a clue to lead Columbo to question if this really was an accident. In the story, the owner of the gym appears to have died in an accident attempting a bench press, and yet the bar was a curling bar. Why would the owner of the gym, someone who has to make sure that equipment is used properly in order to prevent accidents from occuring, attempt bench pressing with a curling bar?
Crusader7077 1 week ago
It`s amazing how a detective can solve a homicide on something that the muderer would never suspect in a million years.. Imagine what columbo could`ve done with today`s technology
Goldenchild795 1 month ago
So both Artemus Gordon (in 'Suitable for Framing') AND Jim West wound up as murderers? President Grant would be so disappointed.
wpl955g 1 month ago
You can see this episode and more full length episodes on DVD at best buy
nikonguy102 1 month ago
this show never gets old
PaulineGeorge26 2 months ago 2
Gotta love it.
numag1 2 months ago in playlist COLUMBO
Milo Janus for president.
Bobloblawwww 2 months ago
@Bobloblawwww bulge alert
MassimoPiai 1 month ago
After probably watching this, I wonder what percentage of homicide detectives habitually check victim's shoes in the possibility they could uncover something similar....
GetMeThere1 2 months ago
I always like it that he always is free with his "sir"s with the perps--even when he's going to arrest them.
GetMeThere1 2 months ago
Busted, Columbo always gets his man
Goldenchild795 2 months ago
great ending. Peter S. Fischer of The Grove Point Press wrote it.
grovepointpress 3 months ago
I never seen ms.columbo...makes me wonder
marlonnewell 3 months ago
"I`ll tell you how you did it if your interested" absolutely brilliant. Columbo was fantastic! they dont make them like this anymore! Rip Peter Falk.
LCFCAlly1 4 months ago
i know you cannot ask questions with a lot of people anymore, parinoid freaks run the world.
davewoodring 4 months ago
When Columbo says "It's gonna hang ya" - one thing I never understand is whether there was a death penalty in LA?
lewisner 4 months ago
@lewisner From 1972 to 1977 there were a series of court cases and propositions that removed and restored capital punishment. As a result, California's last hanging was in 1967. Since capital punishment was resumed in 1992, the condemned person has had a choice of lethal gas or lethal injection. If he (or she) does not state a preference, the default choice is injection. This Columbo clip is from 1974.
westlock 3 months ago
@westlock Oh, thanks for the info!
lewisner 3 months ago
Ah the old shoelace loop incrimination technique
MsCurwin 4 months ago
@MsCurwin LOL :D
MYNAMEISFRANKENSTEIN 2 months ago
Owned... :)
Otherguylb 4 months ago
I haven't seen the whole episode in a long time but by judging from this clip, the last person to see Stafford alive said he was in his work clothes yet Janus somehow knew Stafford changed into his gym clothes and that's how Stafford was found dead. I guess Columbo's point is Janus had a motive and had the ability to splice up tapes to make Stafford seem alive so he's a likely suspect. It was more than Janus just being lucky when he said Stafford was in his gym clothes.
templecpa2002 4 months ago
I wish i could see full episodes of Columbo on you tube
oldermuscleguy 4 months ago
I don't get the "GOTCHA!" moment here. Let's accept the initial conclusion that Mr Stafford didn't tie his own shoes. Milo could still have had the conversation where Stafford told him he was changing into his gym clothes, after which he was promptly murdered by someone else. The GOTCHA doesn't PROVE that Milo did it. So what if Milo knew about the gym clothes? Stafford told him he was about to work out so it could even be a natural ASSUMPTION he made in his statement. Seems lousy.
dredericktotem1245 5 months ago
@dredericktotem1245 at no point did stafford say he was going to work out. He had no plans to work out whatsoever , hence he scoffed a chinese just prior to being murdered and it was this meal which was used as "evidence" too because columbo says "why would he eat a huge meal then work out?"
ilovemoviesuk 5 months ago in playlist ilovemoviesuk's Favourited Videos
@ilovemoviesuk But there was no direct evidence of the contents of the "conversation" (which we know to be fake) between Milo and Stafford, right? E.g. tape evidence. My point is that if you can't PROVE that the conversation didn't occur, then Stafford could have told Milo he was going to work out - which is why he was found dead (murdered) in his gym clothes. Just because Milo put it in his statement doesn't PROVE he did it or anything. Columbo tried to make out it is a massive inconsistency.
dredericktotem1245 5 months ago
4:15 uh oh :-o
KaristaSwiss 5 months ago
Why on earth did the murderer not untie the shoes before taking them off the body?
EalaDubh 5 months ago
wow, he destroyed him..
hellraiser7974 6 months ago
what season is this episode from?
IrrepressibleGuile 6 months ago
@IrrepressibleGuile Its the first episode of the fourth season, 1974
william2jack3 6 months ago
And its your perfect alibi thats gonna hang you. Columbo is the best TV detective, love the way he starts off being dumb and bumbling and then becomes more and more passive agreesive as he gains more proof.
IrrepressibleGuile 6 months ago
The problem with the shoe lace theory is that the guy Milo killed was left handed. Watch the beginning again.This episode jumped the shark.
IFStravinsky 7 months ago
@IFStravinsky When you say Jumped the Shark, do you mean that by this episode the writers were running out of ideas and were grabbing at straws, or do you simply mean they messed up.
william2jack3 7 months ago
@william2jack3 I think the show went into decline after this. The left handed thing was just a continuity problem, but the whole premise is shaky. I'm left handed, and I tried my shoes while I was watching this video, and for the life of me I make out which loop was up and which was down. I don't think a jury would, either.
IFStravinsky 7 months ago
@IFStravinsky Columbo's right. I just tied a shoelace and the top loop is on the left. The top loop is the top because the other side, the loose end, is on top. I don't know anything about whether the victim is LH or RH so you might be right (or left) about that.
templecpa2002 5 months ago
@IFStravinsky i tried it and you can make out which is the top loop . Pretty easily too
ilovemoviesuk 5 months ago
@IFStravinsky
It wouldn't matter if the guy was a lefty or not. Columbo still had his tied dress shoe and showed that it was tied differently than his gym shoe.
itsgreatshakes 3 months ago
columbo a moron with a rain coat or a dying breed....ummmm food for thought
berguss22 7 months ago
You know what I love about Columbo? He is the very definition of a 'Wolf in Sheeps clothing'.
He intentionally makes himself look bumbling and overly-polite fool. But he is absolutely ruthless in the persuit of justic. A true hero and an amazing portrayal by Peter Falk.
louthegiantcookie 7 months ago 11
@louthegiantcookie I also like how Columbo's tone changes, depending on the arrogance of the killer and/or the nature of the crime. Sometimes, he's sympathetic, but sometimes he's not, as in this case. Great acting.
Hammerton32 4 months ago
Columbo you were the greatest R.I.P.
TheHuskerfan1968 7 months ago
Milo Janis: "What the hell gives you the right, Columbo?
Columbo: "This is a warrant....this gives me the RIGHT". LOL.
GsxMama 7 months ago
rip peter falk he was amazing
todser22 8 months ago
Columbo has his sandwich in the same bag the old sneaker is in, lol
calchick82 8 months ago
Robert Conrad's real name is Conrad Robert Falk . Were Robert and Peter relatives?
tuasguampa 8 months ago
Poor Mrs. Columbo.
Ondrus21 8 months ago
R.I.P. Peter Falk.
jmjfanss 8 months ago
I love Columbo. Thinking of buying the DVD's.
Colddeed 9 months ago 4
@Colddeed best value for money you will ever get " i bought the boxed set " could watch them over and over he,s the best ever !
MrCadburysman 1 day ago
Thanks!
kattyluvscolumbo 9 months ago
Robert Conrad was busy that year doing columbo and the movie murph the surf
nikonguy102 11 months ago
This was my favorite episode. Brillaint writing.
cifrank 11 months ago
Excellent. Thanks for uploading, mate.
bee1978 11 months ago