A Friend in Deed

My #2 all time Columbo favorite. Great premise with Columbo investigating murder of two cops wives in a twist along the line of Strangers On A Train. The scene with Columbo discussing lack of finger prints on first deceased wife's phone with collaborating chief Kiley is a masterpiece. Set up conclusion is also one of the best.

Ok there one guy who always writes reviews here but he find everything stupid, I won't name him he and other people who read reviews will know who he is. First of all about this episode, it's not the caldwell wife who is millionaire, it the commissioner 's wife who is wealthy and the jeweller didn't say that the commissioner's wife was 36, but the Caldwell wife. Before you say that something is stupid, make sure that you watch it carefully. And if you find every Columbo episodes stupid, don't watch it, and go watch "the golden girls " or " made about you " reruns you ass. Ok I am done with that moron, about this episode, that always been and still is one of my favourite episode of Columbo. The story is great, the direction is great, I like the way Columbo develop his investigation. The ending is great too, no doubt that guy will be find guilty. Anyway I blowed my gasket at the beginning, but, hey, when someone says and write stupid stuff, someone got to call him or her out.

I love Columbo, I consider it one of the finest series of its kind. There are several gems amongst this series, and A Friend in Deed is one of them. Beautifully filmed and scored with striking locations, A Friend In Deed also benefits from some of the cleverest, wittiest and stylish writing of the series, and one of the series' most consistently absorbing stories. The scenes between Falk and Kiley are brilliantly played and genuinely tense at times. Peter Falk embodies Columbo as ever before, while Richard Kiley is a more than worthy foil, often coming across as intimidating, which I loved. The support cast are good enough with what they have, but it is the leads especially that make this episode work. Overall, a wonderful episode and one of my favourites. 10/10 Bethany Cox

A FRIEND IN DEED is one of the contenders for 'best episode of Columbo ever'. It has a tight and ever-evolving plot involving multiple murders, alibis, and complexity, and to add to the fun the villain is superior and proves more than a match for our wily detective. As if recognising the quality he's working with, Falk ups his game too, delivering a portrayal of Columbo at his dogged best.

The film's star is Richard Kiley, never well known in the UK but a TV personality in America. His villain is a frightening one with sociopathic tendencies and his placing at the top of the police command chain makes Columbo's life very difficult. Despite the lengthy running time, A FRIEND IN DEED is constantly engaging, with comedy that really works and some great clues building to a satisfying climax. Fans will be in their element with this one.

Mark Halperin (Richard Kiley) is contacted by his frantic neighbor, Hugh (Michael McGuire). It seems Hugh and his wife were fighting (again) and this time he lost control and killed her. However, despite Mark being the Deputy Police Commissioner, he does NOT contact the police but helps Mark cover up his crime. Is this because Mark cares about his friend? No....he's a dirt-bag and envisions a scheme like the Hitchcock film "Strangers on a Train"! But with his boss being involved with murder, how can Columbo cut through the lies and find out the truth?

The way Columbo works out this crime and proves the killers' actions is truly unusual and I liked the novelty of the episode and solution. Overall, very well written and one of the better episodes.