Of course I'm referring to Murder by the Book. This clue really makes no sense to me but it is a "little" thing that added up to Franklin's guilt.

But this means very little. In the 1970s I'm sure planes ran from San Diego to LA every 30 minutes, but Franklin's cabin was well outside of the city Even he says "when you add up all the time it takes to drive to and from an airport, how much time do you really save?" These days with security being what it is, NONE. But let's see......

The drive to the airport takes maybe half an hour. Back then let's say you buzz right through security in 5 minutes. You have to about 15 minutes before the plane leaves. , the plane ride takes maybe 30 minutes, then you have no car waiting for you at LAX so you have to cab it to the Ferris house. Let's say another 30 minutes. TOTAL 1 Hour 50 minutes. And now your personal car is parked in the lot at the San Diego airport. Driving maybe takes 2 hrs 15 min. You save 25 minutes using this formula, now you've got to get your car back.

So the clue means very little to me.

I didn’t realize that the two cities were less than two hours apart. Even in the 70’s I can’t imagine saving much time traveling by plane. Ken Franklin does say something like: “Ive just spent several hours driving up here. You must realize the news is on every radio station”. But even if Ken was farther than San Diego, he would have to drive to that airport.

Since most Americans don’t know the distance, I guess we should just assume, for plot purposes, that it’s a six hour drive from L.A. to the lake resort, with an airport conveniently close to the rural vacation area, lol

Since most Americans don’t know the distance, I guess we should just assume, for plot purposes, that it’s a six hour drive from L.A. to the lake resort

But while convincing Jim to go to the cabin, Ken pleads "Oh c'mon, it's only and hour and a half away". This further solifies it making no sense that Ken would fly back to LA upon hearing of Ken's shooting. Even with limited 1970's security, he would not have saved any time.

I think Ken Franklin did the overkill by dumping the body on his own front lawn.

And then casually opening his mail while phoning Columbo.... That perfect scene where Columbo notices the mail open and questions Franklin... Perfect!

I think the writers goofed by mentioning "San Diego". Maybe if they said "San Francisco" it would make more sense.

It would make more sense to fly from LA to San Francisco, but not San Diego.

Isn't there an episode where Columbo catches a flight to San Francisco to meet up with someone's (black) therapist? And he's eating oysters? HELP ME!

But having a cabin in San Francisco, when you live in LA, doesn't make sense either. Maybe they should've just thrown this clue out altogether! I guess they were hoping nobody looked at a map back then! Flying that distance just makes no sense.

In "Rest In Peace, Mrs. Columbo", Columbo flies up to San Francisco and interviews a psychiatrist played by Roscoe Lee Brown, whom I believe is the actor who replaced Benson on Soap. While eating escargot or possibly oysters the doctor reveals that he is not able to tell Columbo anything confidential. However he strongly hints that Columbo and his wife may be in danger generally speaking if they happen to know of anybody exhibiting certain character traits. Those traits of course happen to be those exhibited by Vivian Dimitri, so the doctor was able to warn Columbo without breaking his oath of confidentiality.

Murder By The Book is one of my favorite episodes despite the weak "gotcha". We also have to overlook the plot hole that, since the murder was committed at the lake house, Columbo has no jurisdiction.

Took me 3 years to notice and acknowledge your response Pete, but YES and CORRECT! And yes it was that actor with escargot!

How many multiple thousands of people are scared of flying and wouldn't if they were given free flights for life?