12 Best Columbo Episodes Ranked

In 1968, a detective named Columbo, known for his cigar and messy appearance but hiding a sharp mind and a knack for finding criminals, made his debut on TV. By the time his last case was shown in 2003, he had become a cultural icon and one of the greatest TV detectives ever. Peter Falk, who won multiple Emmys and a Golden Globe for playing Columbo, portrayed him on screen. Columbo is an LAPD lieutenant whose unassuming exterior belies his intelligence and relentless pursuit of justice.

The writers Richard Levinson and William Link initially played around with the character of Columbo, but it was the television movie “Prescription: Murder” that solidified Peter Falk’s portrayal and led to a series that has been enjoyed by mystery enthusiasts for over 50 years. This show, titled “Columbo,” aired on NBC from 1971-1978 for seven seasons, and later returned on ABC for two more seasons and various made-for-TV movies. Notably, the show is renowned not only for its popular main character but also for flipping the traditional murder mystery format. Each episode starts by revealing who committed the crime and their motives, leaving the real enigma as to how Columbo will piece together the puzzle and bring the culprit to justice.

Picking just one Columbo episode among the numerous options, each spanning approximately 70 to 95 minutes, might prove challenging due to their quality. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the top 12 Columbo episodes according to IMDb user ratings for your viewing pleasure.

12. By Dawn’s Early Light (Season 4, Episode 3)

In “By Dawn’s Early Light,” the Season 4 episode of “The Prisoner,” Patrick McGoohan delivers an Emmy-winning portrayal as the obsessive Colonel Lyle C. Rumford. As head of a once-respected military academy that’s seen better days, Rumford resorts to homicide when informed that his tenure will soon end to make way for transforming the institution into a mixed-gender school. In the quiet hours before dawn, Rumford covertly prepares an explosive cannon blast, aiming it at the president of the Board of Trustees during a morning ceremony.

Indeed, Columbo is investigating the case, and his disheveled, unsettling demeanor irritates Rumford. “By Dawn’s Early Light” is a humorous episode that explores Columbo being out of his element, as he spends the night at a military academy and comically rebels against its strict rules and regulations. Rumford unintentionally implicates himself by chasing down cadets who are clandestinely brewing cider; he carelessly admits that he could have only witnessed the illicit drink during the early hours, when he was meddling with the cannon. In the end, Rumford’s fixation on military service leads to his own downfall.

11. Double Exposure (Season 3, Episode 4)

Viewers should make sure not to miss a moment of “Double Exposure,” as this gripping episode from Season 3 exposes the danger hidden in the unseen. Dr. Bart Keppel, portrayed by Robert Culp, is a master of subliminal advertising, artfully inserting images of desirable products into film reels, causing viewers’ subconscious minds to feel an irresistible urge to purchase without them even realizing it.

In addition to his regular activities, Keppel secretly operates a blackmail scheme. When someone threatens to expose him, Keppel offers them expensive caviar in an auditorium, covertly invites them out of the movie during intermission with suggestive drink ads, and ultimately murders them. The self-assured Kepple is convinced that his method is foolproof, which forces Columbo to put in extra effort to unsettle him. This intricate game of cat and mouse involves Columbo harassing Kepple at the supermarket and chasing him on a golf cart. This intense chase concludes with Columbo utilizing Kepple’s own underhanded subliminal messages against him, but Kepple is too elated by their success to notice that he’s been caught.

10. How to Dial a Murder (Season 7, Episode 4)

The show “Columbo” can be described as primarily centered around one main character, as it had only a few regular characters spanning its many seasons. Columbo’s closest ally is his basset hound, commonly called “Dog.” Dog first appeared in the second season opener, “Etude in Black,” and by the time “How to Dial a Murder” came out in Season 7, audiences were already familiar with him. In this particular episode, Columbo’s deep affection for dogs is pivotal, as the murder weapons aren’t conventional like guns or knives, but rather two Doberman Pinschers.

In simpler terms, movie-loving psychologist Dr. Eric Mason (portrayed by Nicol Williamson) trains his dogs, Laurel and Hardy, to attack fatally upon hearing the secret word “Rosebud” over the phone. This command leads them to harm his once cherished friend. Despite the testimony of Mason’s girlfriend (Kim Cattrall, prior to her fame in “Sex and The City”), Columbo grapples with understanding why seemingly ordinary pets would suddenly turn violent towards a man.

A visit with Dog to a canine behavior expert uncovers some insights. When Columbo figures out the secret password (Mason’s wall has Citizen Kane’s Rosebud sled), he teaches the dogs to give kisses when Mason commands them to attack, rather than hurt. By bringing Mason to trial, Columbo also prevents Laurel and Hardy from being euthanized by animal control. Could we call Columbo the pioneer of pet detectives?

9. Prescription: Murder (Pilot)

Prior to the 1968 TV movie “Prescription: Murder,” early iterations of the Columbo character had already been depicted in written stories and on screens. However, this film is considered the debut episode for Peter Falk, as it was here that he first portrayed the iconic detective, a role that would later become synonymous with his career.

Prescription for a Thriller” sets the blueprint for the series’ success. The initial act unfolds around Dr. Ray Flemming (Gene Barry), who cold-bloodedly murders his wife. To deceive, he calls upon his actress girlfriend, Joan Hudson (Katherine Justice). She adopts a wig and sunglasses in his penthouse apartment before accompanying Flemming to the airport. They stage a heated argument there for onlookers to witness “Mrs. Flemming” departing while her husband flies to Acapulco. Flemming anticipates that his wife’s death will be attributed to a burglary, but upon his return home, an unexpected visitor awaits him: Lieutenant Columbo (the cigar-smoking stranger).

In the initial episode, Falk’s character, Columbo, might seem youthful and neatly groomed, but it’s the quirks that truly define him – his lengthy stories and famous “one more thing” phrase are already evident in this debut. The series kick-started with “Prescription: Murder” and went on to run for an impressive 35 years.

8. Forgotten Lady (Season 5, Episode 1)

In the Season 5 debut, “Forgotten Lady,” Columbo cruises along Sunset Boulevard. The episode stars Janet Leigh, known for her role in “Psycho,” as Grace Wheeler, a once-prominent Hollywood actress trying to resurrect her career with her old dance partner, Ned Diamond (John Payne). However, her husband (Sam Jaffe) opposes this endeavor. In a bid to restart her life, Grace fatally shoots her husband in their secure bedroom. Then, she ingeniously escapes by sliding down a tree outside their window, creating an illusion that his death was a suicide.

In the investigation, Columbo finds himself closing in on the truth while Grace’s grip on reality becomes increasingly tenuous as she immerses herself in memories of her past stardom. As Columbo solves the crime, he uncovers another startling revelation: Grace is suffering from a fatal, progressive brain disorder that had been concealed from her by her husband and the cause behind his abandonment of her aspirations. Diamond, realizing that Grace no longer recalls the murder, decides to take the blame, as she will likely have passed away before her trial. In an unusual twist, Columbo ultimately concedes to this situation, making “Forgotten Lady” a unique case where the criminal manages to escape arrest.

Additionally, throughout the show, a humorous yet insightful side story unfolds as different cops persistently chase Columbo for his ten-year break from target practice at the shooting range. One of Columbo’s most fascinating traits is his silent resistance to carrying or employing firearms while on duty, a feature that continues to make him stand out among television police officers today.

7. Swan Song (Season 3, Episode 7)

Certain episodes of “Columbo” are often remembered for their impressive guest stars, and none deliver a more unforgettable portrayal than the legendary country artist Johnny Cash. In the third season’s episode titled “Swan Song,” Cash offers a chilling interpretation of his iconic “Man in Black” persona, playing Tommy Brown, a successful folk singer trapped in an unhappy marriage with Edna (portrayed by Ida Lupino), a stern and devout evangelist who first discovered him.

When Edna decides to invest their wealth on building a massive church, Brown orchestrates one of the most intricate murders seen in “Columbo” lore. Under the cover of night, piloting a small aircraft, Brown gives Edna coffee spiked with sleeping pills and then bails out from the cockpit, causing the plane to collide with a mountain. After concealing his parachute in the forest, Brown tumbles down a slope to the crash site, fracturing his leg in the process, feigning that he was ejected far from the plane.

Brown thinks he’s pulled off the flawless crime, but nothing gets past Detective Columbo’s sharp observations. Scrutinizing the wreckage, Columbo spots that Brown didn’t use his seatbelt, leading to a dramatic conclusion for Brown. The soothing persona and captivating voice of Johnny Cash make Brown an intriguing antagonist, one who can charm viewers, if not Detective Columbo himself.

6. Negative Reaction (Season 4, Episode 2)

Prior to Dick Van Dyke’s role as a medical detective on the CBS series “Diagnosis: Murder,” he portrayed a criminal on the show “Columbo.” In this role, Van Dyke plays Paul Galesko, a notorious photographer who follows in the footsteps of other malicious “Columbo” husbands. These characters are known for their eagerness to eliminate their affluent spouses and Galesko is particularly cruel among them.

Escorting his wife Frances (Antoinette Bower) to a secluded farmhouse, he binds her to a chair, snaps pictures of her as she becomes frantic, and then fires at her with a handgun. Subsequently, Galesko fakes a scenario suggesting a botched kidnapping by slaying Alvin Deschler (Don Gordon), the former convict occupying the farmhouse, and wounds himself in the leg with one of the guns to give an impression of self-defense.

Columbo’s ‘Negative Reaction’ offers viewers an intriguing peek into the world of the affluent Los Angeles high society and its grittier underworld. In a humorous moment, he pursues a clue to a homeless shelter, only for a cheerful nun to mistakenly believe him to be down on his feet and attempt to give away his distinctive coat. Here, Dick Van Dyke delivers an outstanding performance as the ruthless scoundrel, making it all the more enjoyable when Columbo manages to ensnare him with one of his own cleverly manipulated photographs.

5. A Stitch in Crime (Season 2, Episode 6)

In “A Stitch in Crime,” Columbo’s cases remain grounded on Earth, but fans of “Star Trek: The Original Series” will find a delightful twist. This episode features Leonard Nimoy, known for his role as Spock, portraying Dr. Barry Mayfield, a heart surgeon with a dark secret. Mayfield has made significant advancements in a groundbreaking new heart drug, but his elderly partner, Dr. Edmund Hiedeman (played by Will Geer), presses for further research. When Hiedeman needs a heart valve replacement, Mayfield performs the operation using dissolving stitches that would ultimately prove fatal if undetected, setting the stage for Columbo’s investigation.

In the narrative, Nurse Sharon Martin (Anne Francis) uncovers a fragment of stitching, yet fails to share her suspicions with anyone prior to Mayfield brutally attacking her in the hospital garage. Later, when the police presume a mugging as the cause of death, Mayfield attempts to frame Sharon’s former lover for the murder and administers a lethal amount of morphine to him. As time runs out for Dr. Hiedeman, Columbo must unravel the mystery before Dr. Mayfield can claim another life.

Leonard Nimoy, using the same traits that turned Spock into a cultural phenomenon – his calm demeanor and raised-eyebrow logical reasoning – makes Mayfield one of the most unforgettable villains in “Columbo” lore. Mayfield is so detestable that he even manages to provoke Columbo, stirring a rare outburst of anger from the detective before their ultimate confrontation.

4. Now You See Him (Season 5, Episode 5)

Columbo” Season 5’s “Now You See Him”: A Captivating Episode with Illusions, Delights, and a Chilling Antagonist

The central character in this episode is none other than The Great Santini (played by Jack Cassidy), who enchants the audience as a dapper magician and escape artist at a cabaret. However, beneath the glamour lies Stefan Mueller, a former Nazi prison guard hidden from public view.

When the club owner threatens to expose him to the Immigration Department, Santini employs his water tank escape trick as a ruse to escape the stage, swap disguises with a waiter, and assassinate his blackmailing boss before reappearing onstage.

In an amusing recurring joke, Columbo appears at the cabaret wearing a hideous new coat given by his wife. Immediately, he perceives through Santini’s deceptive facade. A remarkable scene follows where Columbo becomes part of Santini’s magic act as his assistant. Here, Columbo manages to trick Santini into unlocking handcuffs with the same locks found in the murder victim’s office, demonstrating his ability to pick such locks. The recurring actor Cassidy portrays Santini without exaggerating his flair for drama. In “Now You See Him,” the storyline delves deeply into Santini’s past as a war criminal. Ultimately, Columbo reveals that the allure of the stage and Santini’s plan to commit the perfect murder are mere illusions.

3. Try and Catch Me (Season 7, Episode 1)

Characters on the show “Columbo” are often driven by emotions such as jealousy, greed, or despair to commit murder. However, the antagonist in Season 7’s “Try and Catch Me” seeks something quite unusual: justice. Actress Ruth Gordon, who won an Academy Award, plays Abigail Mitchell, a renowned author of mystery novels, who finds herself becoming a real-life murderer.

Abigail’s cherished niece Phyllis passed away under circumstances that the police deemed an accident, but Abigail suspects Edmund (Phyllis’s husband) was responsible because he wanted to claim Abigail’s fortune upon her death. In a twist reminiscent of one of her novels, Abigail sets up a deadly scenario for Edmund. She locks him inside a soundproof, air-tight walk-in safe filled with the treasures he desired, ensuring his demise amidst the very possessions he coveted.

In the intriguing drama titled “Try and Catch Me,” Detective Columbo encounters a formidable adversary in Abigail, who convincingly portrays the harmless, senile aunt during the investigation, but possesses intellect and charm on par with the detective himself. She even cleverly employs his signature phrase “Just one more question…” to throw him off guard.

The episode remains captivating as it leaves unanswered whether Edmund was a murderer or simply a victim of Abigail’s heartache. In a surprising confession, Abigail reveals to Columbo that she would never have killed Edmund had the police given Phyllis’s death the attention it deserved.

What makes “Try and Catch Me” truly remarkable is its portrayal of a complex antagonist and the lingering, tragic uncertainty that shrouds the episode until its final moments.

2. A Friend in Deed (Season 3, Episode 8)

In “A Friend in Deed,” the plot deviates from the typical structure of “Columbo.” The story starts with Hugh Caldwell (played by Michael McGuire) having already murdered his unfaithful wife, Janice. However, it’s not Hugh who turns out to be the main antagonist. Instead, that role is taken by LAPD Deputy Commissioner Mark Halperin (portrayed by Richard Kiley), a friend and neighbor of Caldwell, who assists him in concealing the crime and frames an intruding cat burglar operating in their Bel Air area for the murder.

It quickly becomes clear that Halperin’s apparent kindness towards Caldwell conceals a sinister intention: he cold-bloodedly murders his wife Margaret (played by Rosemary Murphy) in the bathtub to claim her inheritance, and then manipulates Caldwell into impersonating the infamous cat burglar “killer,” thereby providing Halperin with an ironclad alibi. Despite Columbo’s reservations about a common thief turning into a murderer, Halperin compels him to continue investigating that particular angle.

In this twist, Columbo follows his instinct that his LAPD superior might be linked to the murders. Instead of conventional methods, he adopts an intriguing strategy by enlisting Val Avery, the real cat burglar, in a phony extortion plot to ensnare both Halperin and Caldwell. This episode, titled “A Friend in Deed,” highlights how Columbo is an unconventional police officer, demonstrating his unique investigative techniques.

1. Any Old Port in a Storm (Season 3, Episode 2)

The “Columbo” episode commonly regarded as its best is likely “Any Old Port in a Storm.” This beloved classic showcases all the signature elements of the series, executed flawlessly: a lavish killing, an over-the-top antagonist, and a captivating detective narrative that unfolds through deep character development rather than excessive violence. And there’s Lieutenant Columbo, the charismatic, cigar-puffing outsider who adheres to a strict moral compass, treating everyone – even murderers – with respect.

In the story, the character of Adrian Carsini (played by Donald Pleasence) exhibits his last quality, which is cunning resourcefulness, particularly during a crisis. This trait results in a moving climax. Adrian owns a winery that may not be profitable but carries great respect, and he’s a true wine aficionado, unlike his playboy half-brother Rick (Gerry Conway). Rick intends to sell the winery for his fourth wedding expenses. In an attempt to save it, Adrian knocks Rick unconscious, leaving him in an unventilated wine cellar where he eventually suffocates. Later, Adrian disposes of the body by dumping it in the ocean during a staged scuba diving accident.

Detective Columbo, who openly prefers beer over wine, initially finds himself unfamiliar with the realm of viticulture as he delves into the murder investigation involving Carsini. However, he develops a deep respect for Carsini’s dedication and meticulousness throughout this process. It’s worth mentioning that “Any Old Port in a Storm” was Peter Falk’s favorite episode from the Columbo series, as stated in a special introduction broadcasted on A&E network in the 90s. By the time Columbo and Carsini raise their glasses together for the last time, you’ll come to comprehend why this particular scene resonated so deeply with Falk.

2025-04-02 21:33