One More Thing (Columbo)

[Karl Henning]

This radio interview includes a touching tribute to Patrick M^cGoohan:

I've had the whole show on DVD forever (as it seems) though it's now also available free on TubiTV. I'm not really interested (for those reasons) in a blu-ray edition, though out of idle curiosity I found that there seems to be a Japanese blu-ray edition.

[Karl Henning]

[VonStupp]

Sunday used to be Columbo nights with my mom. She loved the premise of showing the murderer at the beginning, and spending the rest of the time watching Columbo catching the scent in his own unique manner. She would laugh with delight the closer he trapped the culprit.

I still see it once in a while, and it is a hoot.

Fun videos! Thanks Karl!
VS

[Brian]

I'm not really interested (for those reasons) in a blu-ray edition, though out of idle curiosity I found that there seems to be a Japanese blu-ray edition.

I have seen comparison photos of the DVD set to the Japanese blu-ray and the difference in picture quality is enormous - so much more light-filled and colorful. But it's something like $250 to import. So I keep telling myself, you already have the DVDs, you don't need the fancy version, you've already seen it all, it's a waste of money......

Well you know how CDCDCD goes 

[Brian]

Wow, while doing a bit of googling I learned that Kino Lorber is releasing a Columbo Blu-Ray set this summer featuring the 70s run, followed by a TV movie Blu-Ray set at the end of this year or start of 2024. I think I will continue resisting temptation until that new set arrives, and see whether they have remastered it from the original 35mm tape to produce a result as good as the fabled Japanese edition.

I also found some examples of the current US DVD box set vs. a Blu-Ray remastering done by an Australian company called Madman. The website does not allow embedding their images but link to sample DVD image, link to sample Australian Blu-Ray image.

[Karl Henning]

Wow, while doing a bit of googling I learned that Kino Lorber is releasing a Columbo Blu-Ray set this summer featuring the 70s run, followed by a TV movie Blu-Ray set at the end of this year or start of 2024. I think I will continue resisting temptation until that new set arrives, and see whether they have remastered it from the original 35mm tape to produce a result as good as the fabled Japanese edition

Excellent. The Kino Lorber blu-ray release of Rod Serling's Night Gallery is superb!

[Mandryka]

I sometimes watch it dubbed in French. You lose a lot if he doesn't have his American accent.

What the series shows me is that formulaic needn't be a bad thing, if the formula is a good one! 

[drogulus]

     I have the first season on Blu Ray and it looks great.

[Karl Henning]

I am getting a charge from the odd suggestions on YouTube.

[vandermolen]

This radio interview includes a touching tribute to Patrick M^cGoohan:

I've had the whole show on DVD forever (as it seems) though it's now also available free on TubiTV. I'm not really interested (for those reasons) in a blu-ray edition, though out of idle curiosity I found that there seems to be a Japanese blu-ray edition.

What a lovely man! I love the story about the member of the public asking him how the show ended as he fell asleep!

[BWV 1080]

Wife & I only just started watching, working through Season 2

Interesting thing is the music - there is no 'Columbo theme' per se the early episodes used Henry Mancini's Mystery Movie Theme which was also used for McCloud and McMillan & Wife

Dave Grusin did the music for Prescription Murder, the first episode

[drogulus]

     The Japanese Blu Ray set is available now on Amazon.

[Karl Henning]

Cross-post:

I'm in a pre-Blu-ray survey of the series. "Candidate for Crime" (with Jackie Cooper as the perp) has one of my Top 5 Gotchas in the series. Well, definitely Top 10. Does it help that the perp is a bullshitting pol? Perhaps, but that's not the driver.

[Karl Henning]

Didn't realize before that in "Mind Over Mayhem," José Ferrer's son is "Charlie X," (Robert Walker.)

[Karl Henning]

Wow, while doing a bit of googling I learned that Kino Lorber is releasing a Columbo Blu-Ray set this summer featuring the 70s run, followed by a TV movie Blu-Ray set at the end of this year or start of 2024.

Each episode will feature a commentary track. The sets will also feature archival interviews, and will feature contributions from Columbo experts Mark Dawidziak and Amanda Reyes. Many of the contributors from Kino Lorber's box sets of contemporary series Night Gallery and Kolchak: The Night Stalker will also contribute to the Columbo sets.

Sweet! I was hoping, considering their Cadillac treatment of Rod Serling's Night Gallery.

[Karl Henning]

I love all the little roles Vito Scotti plays throughout the series. He's almost like a regular.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I love all the little roles Vito Scotti plays throughout the series. He's almost like a regular.

Karl,

You really are a die-hard Columbo fan! 

PD

[Karl Henning]

Karl,

You really are a die-hard Columbo fan! 

PD

(* chortle *)

[Karl Henning]

I am somehow especially fond of the Dick van Dyke episode ("Negative Reaction") I'd forgotten that Larry Storch also appears. And: Vito Scotti is in the cast again!

[Karl Henning]

"Troubled Waters" may be my favorite "Mrs Columbo" gag, with both her and the Lieutenant on board the cruise ship.