Even though she's both a corporate spy and a blackmailer (!), Shirley Blaine somehow manages to seem like a "fragile" person also. But Sian Barbara-Allen's characters almost always seem a little like that, so it's a little hard to tell.
There's of course that hug that she gives Viveca after the blackmail! I know some people read an obvious meaning into that, but if that ISN'T the meaning (and I don't know that it is), then it's a pretty strange moment.
In regard too "Suitable for Framing," not only was Edna Matthews weird, but we can't forget Tracy O'Connor. She was very insecure when it came to Dale Kingston.
Mrs. Peck is a bit obsessive-compulsive in "Double Shock". Neil Cahill is unstable in "Mind Over Mayhem" (he's seeing a psychiatrist and he lied about his scientific achievements). The entire gamut of Joan Allenby's co-workers in "Sex and the Married Detective".
Mrs. Peck is a bit obsessive-compulsive in "Double Shock". Neil Cahill is unstable in "Mind Over Mayhem" (he's seeing a psychiatrist and he lied about his scientific achievements). The entire gamut of Joan Allenby's co-workers in "Sex and the Married Detective".
Great examples jbt. Dr. Allenbys co horts were definitely a bit cracked. Another one that comes to mind is is Joanna Clay from Last Salute. Mostly because of her excessive drinking but shes strange even when sober. Which isnt too often.
Columbo: Uh-oh. Now, wait a minute. Mrs. Peck I want you to remain calm.
Mrs. Peck: Out
Columbo: This goes back on very easily
Mrs. peck: Out!
Columbo: This is part of the knob. Just tell the repairman...
Mrs. Peck: OUT!!!
LOL. Love her scenes. Revealing also about Columbo's character - it's here where he admits he's not a tidy person - a habit he's tried to break ("I've tried for many years... that's just my nature") but can't seem to do it. Wonderful scenes.
"Etude in Black" - Mrs. Benedict. In my opinion, she wasn't all there. She didn't have a very good self-esteem when it came to her husband, and herself. An example is when her mother ordered for her when she was in the restaurant. When she asked Alex why he married her.
Lisa Chambers in "Double Shock" - "the lovely but not too brilliant young lady" who falls for the lawyer's trick and then falls to her death.
Marcia Dalton in "A Stitch in Crime" - Sharon Martin's roommate who is "inner directed", cures allergies with sips of water and takes quick peeks in mirrors during murder investigations.
Gloria West in "Greenhouse Jungle" - "friend" of Tony who thinks she's going to outfox both Jarvis Goodwin and Lt. Columbo
Anyone who has a problem with "New Age" type people (I don't) might find Lisa Chambers at least a little unstable just because of that.
Arlene Martel causes me to have such a thing for Gloria West that I can't be very objective about her. Though she does seem pretty vindictive toward Cathy (even if she does believe she's guilty of the murder).