This two-hour TV movie was also prepared in a 90-minute version which played on Canadian television, and is reputed to be the superior of the two cuts. Its a classic unsettling move by the Lieutenant, visiting his quarry in their own backyard while never asking a single question relevant to the case and leaving with an autograph for his wife. I remember seeing John Cassavettes in an appearance on a talk show. Poker Face: whats in it for Columbo fans? It is clearly not one of my favourite episodes, and it is also a tad long. Actors, whaddayagunnado? He was basically outed as cheating on Janice, not killing Wells. The shots of Alex conducting the orchestra against the police search are a neat touch. I know nothing about its methods of creation but appreciate the end results. The Lieutenant fastens himself to his suspect, seeking his (oft ludicrous) opinion on all matters of the case, and is there every time Benedictturns around, unsettling him at thecar yard, at his home and in his place of work. He strangles her and tries to make it look like suicide. Alex Benedict: John Cassavetes Just about the only character that irks is the precocious Audrey Jennifers pre-teen neighbour whose sassy attitude towards Columbo and his lack of pet-tending skillz quickly starts to grate. after Columbo has been interrogating him about his assets), as is the scene where the dog is having an injection, where Columbo speaks ridiculously fast for no apparent reason. Unfortunately while the Japanese Bluray set includes the original version its only in SD with HD reserved only for the padded version. Lizzi Fielding: Myrna Loy He arranges the murder to look like suicide. The blog for those who LOVE Lieutenant Columbo. ", It is clear that the conductor says to "play the crescendo in the down beat". | In addition to Peter Falk as Columbo, the episode stars John Cassavettes, Bythe Danner and Myrna Loy . Theres even a classic Just one more thing thrown in for good measure. In Etude in Black, the key to the murder (a flower) is made painfully obvious to the viewer. Why does Columbo ask Benedict for his autograph? Whispering words of love in his wifes ear, Benedict salutes Columbo and allows himself to be escorted down town. Nicholas Colasanto directed tude in Black, but Cassavetes and Peter Falk are both listed as uncredited directors. Tags: Alex BenedictBlythe DannerDogEtude in BlackJames McEachinJohn CassavetesMyrna LoyNick Colasanto. Etude is an interesting study. Jennifer Welles: Anjanette Comer S02:E02 - Etude in Black The mistress of a symphony conductor plans to go public with his extramarital activities. A ruthless conductor murders the gifted pianist with whom he is having an affair. Written by: Steven Bochco The first act ends with shots of Alex conducting the concert inter cut with the police finding Jenifers body. Watch on. Lizzi Fielding: Myrna Loy And introducing Dog! Of all the Columbo villians, he had the most disagreeable disposition I can remember. Dare I say it,Etudecould have benefited froma few more minutes of her time. He assures her hell break the bad news to Janice ASAP, and tasks Jenniferwith playing a heart-warming ditty on the piano. Audrey: Dawn Frame My guess, a friend of Mr Falks that was hanging around the set. Etude in Blackis arguably the most ambitious episode since Ransom for a Dead Man.. The concert programme effectively becomes the soundtrack to this movie-within-a-movie. I agree it is not note-perfect, the scene with Myrna Loy and the fogies is very badly played and one or two of the clues were a little too obvious too early especially the carnation at the scene of the crime(which the mystery revolves around) and while I loved the chemistry between Columbo and Benedict I personally would've liked more mind games between the two perhaps. On one hand majestic, dynamic and a quite amazingstatement of intent for the season. Also Etude in Black features the absolutely brilliant Myrna Loy as Cassavettes mother in Law and she is just perfect in the role and still beautiful after all these years. Meyer, is replaced by another actor, with a similar strong jawline but much taller, a rounder race, and different manner of speaking, sounding muffled and dubbed. Great format, and Peter Falk's character extremely goodwonderfully quirky, he can take his place next to Poirot, Miss Marple, and also the likes of Marlowe and Rick Diamond. It takes about 30 seconds before the part really starts. I just love Columbo and I have seen every episode from Prescription Murder to the very last one in 2003 and I have to say that this one is my 4th favourite of all time behind "Any old Port In a Storm","Identity Crisis" and "Now you see Him" and trust me this is a photo finish that is separated by a print in horse racing terms. Read any of my past reviews by clicking on the links below. But Alex is married and likes his current life, so he decides to kill her. Columbo's much-loved basset hounds makes his bow in Etude in Black, with viewers first encountering the slovenly scamp getting his shots at the vet's after being rescued from the pound. With the carnation clue in mind, I put forward a tantalising alternative path the episode could have followed to lead to a much more damning indictment against Benedict. It is definitely Beethovens Symphony #6 part #4, The correct term is movement not part. Another thing that bothers me is, the episode does a very poor job at concealing the fact that the music was pre-recorded. If I havent instantly lost your respect and attention, Im grateful. Danner hardly says anything, but her increasing look of disgust, despair and sadness (which of course started when she realised it was strange how he could recite Welless phone number) was arguably the best acting in the entire series, And I know Benedict comes across as an arrogant show off, but I believe he truly loved his wife and simply wanted to prevent her from pain, i.e. The mechanic logged his cars mileage on arrival and departure, and theres a nine-mile discrepancy between the two. This would ruin his career, so he decides to kill her. The Lieutenant getsone of his trademark lucky breaks when returning to the vets to get a booster shot for the dog.. I find it an episode that I struggle to really commit tofor the full duration. Not only is he toting the keyboard around, he actually strikes a couple of keys. Benedict claims it fell off as he removed his coat there and then. And the other two are also masters of their craft. User Ratings The head, like Janice Benedict suspiciously eyeing her husband, cantever fully commit. While its easy to identifyscenes in Etude that appear to have been added in later, theyre actually not bad in their own right. It would have been filmed a couple of months before airing at least, although for this one they had to shoot some extra scenes a few weeks later to bump up the running time. Still, its length is not the sole reason why Etude remains on the fringes of my Columbo favourites. Cassavetes is impressiveenough, but to have silver screen Goddess Myrna Loy also gracing the episode was a real coup. Top-class conductor Alex Benedict (John Cassavetes) has it all: big house, beautiful wife and a wealthy mother-in-law. Youre da greatest, You can read my thoughts on Etude in Blacks top 5 scenes right here, Tags: Alex BenedictBlythe DannerDick De BenedictisDogEtude in BlackJames McEachinJanice BenedictJohn CassavetesLieutenant ColumboMyrna LoyNicholas ColasantoNick ColasantoPat MoritaPeter FalkStephen Bochco. Im no expert, but isnt a conductors baton supposed to becaressedrather thanwielded?. Perhaps the composer of the Columbo music for the episode just composed the classical pieces as well - - - in the styles of the composers you mentioned. Paul Rifkin: James Olson The flower puts him at the scene, but the time isnt indicated. The calibre of the supporting cast was suitably grand, too. However, he is in a difficult situation.his mistress insists he must marry her and make an honest woman of her or else. What Benedict doesn't count on though is a lieutenant named Columbo. He makes it look like a suicide, but this doesn't fool Lt. Columbo(Peter Falk) who is sure it is murder, and that Alex is guilty, but must look in an unusual place to prove it First episode of the second season is quite good, with the two stars(and real-life friends) playing off each other well. Similarly Benedict had a way out. Any fans of the sitcom CHEERS on this blog? All Rights Reserved. It led to widespread padding out of scenes in the longer episodes. If memory serves the concert begins (bizarrely) right in the middle of Beethovens seventh and there is later on a Mozart symphony #40 or 41. Did it brother anyone else that he killed that her pet bird? Its the worst fake musician acting Ive ever seen.when its one actor pretending to be a musician and doing it this badly its their fault when its everyone (as in this)look to the director/s. Alex Benedict (John Cassavetes) is an orchestra conductor having an secret affair with his pianist. Episode review: Columbo How to Dial a Murder, The curious case of Columbo Takes the Rap. For example, one concert at the Hollywood Bowl in the 1970s featured the LA Philharmonic playing alongside the rock band Deep Purple. Nothing wrong with that. 1), The Bye-Bye Sky High I.Q. Famed Conductor Alex Benedict has no choice but to murder his girlfriend Jenifer Welles or he might lose the patronage of his wife's. The head, like Janice Benedict suspiciously eyeing her husband, cantever fully commit. I think this point could have been laboured further. Thanks for giving me a chance to discuss this! Hes certainly no match for this chap. Danner has always been a mesmerising actor, in her brilliant understated way. I can see why this series has such a following. Also, when Columbo is playing "Chopsticks" on the piano on that same stage, there are no effects at all. Ken Franklin couldve talked his way out of that fixin a second. Musical Maestro Alex Benedict (John Cassavetes) has a problem and one that threatens his glittering career as a celebrity conductor. After the meeting with the girl where they discuss a name for the dog, Columbo ponders out loud to the dog asking him if he'd like to be called Beethoven. Did I mention already that all this is done in broad daylight? You bet she can! His plan is excellent and well executed and initially it looks like the victim committed suicide. Not only is it charming in its own right, butthe momentalso leads into a delicious, extended hypothetical debate between the Lieutenant and Benedict about whether the Maestro could have committed the crime, and ends with Columbo shattering Benedicts impregnability byrevealing thathis superiors are letting him investigate the case as a homicide. Indeed, the 75-minute version aired in Canada before an extended cut was foisted on US audiences, butwhile there are some scenes added for padding, the scenes themselves havent been padded out.

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