Interesting project! I just re-watched "Prescripton Murder" and Gene Barry, one of my favorite tv actors, was great as Dr. Ray Fleming. I have to say that I didn't think he would have the strength to strangle his wife.

Absolutely terrific post Dirk! You have put a lot of work into it....and I am looking forward to the future ones.

I'll take a shot at the nine episodes within the Season 1 DVD collection.......


Prescription: Murder Ray Flemming
Total Score: 50

Intelligence 10 Very carefully planned and calculated crime.

Vileness 7 His wife may have made things difficult for him with a divorce, though he should not have had to resort to murder.

Charisma 10 Plenty or charisma, especially in that unforgettable scene with Columbo in the office which sets the stage for the series character.

Devotion 10 Not even the supposed death of his girlfriend will stop Flemming's determination to get away with the perfect murder.

Physical 5 This murder plot is for the most part a mental game.

Courage 8 He has acknowledged and accepted that it takes a strong nervous system. Dr. Flemming and his wife were in the public eye and the scheme risks total ruin.

Ransom For a Dead Man Leslie Williams
Total Score: 49

Intelligence 9 Brilliant woman. A minus one for being so fast to use the marked bills from the false kidnapping to pay Margaret.

Vileness 10 The only female killer of the series we do not feel sorry for.

Charisma 7 A lot of it, though the "Arrest me or get out of here" line warrants a few points lost.

Devotion 10 Leslie never wants to get caught especially since she is convinced no one will catch her.

Physical 9 It is mentioned that Paul Williams is "six foot or better," implying that he must weigh a significant amount as well. Leslie's physical strength is impressive to transport her husband's body like that.

Courage 4 Not much courage is required because this woman has no conscience to begin with.


Murder By the Book Ken Franklin
Total Score: 48

Intelligence 7 He worked his one-time idea for a Melville mystery to perfection, though he did not have many other ideas as comparable.

Vileness 9 Franklin lets his ego get the best of him when his partner simply wants to write on his own.

Charisma 9 Charming, yet a bit impatient.

Devotion 8 Minus two points for quickly submitting to the not so convincing final clue.

Physical 6 Has to transport the body, though Ken is probably stronger than Leslie Williams.

Courage 9 It takes a lot to commit two murders, especially when the second victim is not really looking to expose him.


Death Lends a Hand Mr. Brimmer
Total Score: 45

Intelligence 9 Mr. Brimmer appears to know a lot in trying to cover up the crime and make it appear to be a mugging.

Vileness 6 He did not mean to do it, though he is very unethical in the way he runs his business.

Charisma 5 Bad temper, obviously.

Devotion 8 He wants to cover up crime, though this is the rare occasion where the killer fully confesses at the end.

Physical 8 A lot of hard work to cover up this unpremeditated crime.

Courage 9 It takes a lot of courage to cover up a crime at all, let alone a crime you did not intend to commit in the first place.


Dead Weight Martin Hollister
Total Score: 50

Intelligence 7 Relies too much on his charm in going after Helen Stewart.

Vileness 7 Tries to be logical, though the murder is still very cruel.

Charisma 10 Charisma all the way.

Devotion 10 He has a huge ego and is very interested in getting away with the crime and not damaging his reputation.

Physical 9 He must have been exhausted not getting any sleep for that long of a time.

Courage 7 Although he obviously had a great deal of courage from his war career, it was very necessary to maintain it in this situation.


Suitable For Framing Dale Kingston
Total Score: 51

Intelligence 9 Minus one for ever allowing the
stolen paintings in his possession that close to Columbo, regardless of whether or not they were hidden.

Vileness 10 A first class scum all the way.

Charisma 10 How else could he have convinced Tracy O'Connor to help him with the crime and later convince Aunt Edna to have her house searched?

Devotion 10 Dale Kingston has no remorse and has his eyes fixed on the finish line of inheriting his uncle's art collection.

Physical 6 Not much physical labor, except perhaps pushing Tracy's car off the cliff.

Courage 6 Not much bravery exhibited here. Dale is satisfied that he has commit the perfect crime.


Lady in Waiting Beth Chadwick
Total Score: 50

Intelligence 7 She set up a scheme which is a bit too risky with herself as the one and only suspect.

Vileness 9 Her brother has held her back, though it has been with her best interests in mind and she should not have killed him.

Charisma 8 A bit, though tempermental and domineering as we see when the episode progresses.

Devotion 10 Totally devoted to covering up the crime, so much that she is even willing to dump Peter.

Physical 6 A little involved in running around after the hasty change of scheme when things do not go quite as planned.

Courage 10 For someone who has not proven to herself that she can form so much self-confidence, Beth shows a lot by going all out and heading straight for the top without remorse.


Short Fuse Roger Stanford
Total Score: 47

Intelligence 10 Another very carefully calculated crime. Roger has it all worked out.

Vileness 9 His uncle is blackmailing him, though Roger has been lazy and should accept his own shortcomings.

Charisma 8 He knows what it takes to impress those he wants to impress. Knows how to get on people's nerves too with that pink stuff.

Devotion 10 Roger will not stop until he is President of Stanford Chemicals, and he almost made it.

Physical 5 Not much. Just forging report on Quincy's typewriter.

Courage 5 Roger did not show much in that final scene, which proves to be his undoing.


Blueprint For Murder Elliott Markham
Total Score: 53

Intelligence 9 The final part of dumping the body was too risky so soon after the televised search of the pile.

Vileness 7 Elliott Markham is a villain, though a lot of passion comes from his desire to embark on such a huge architectural project as Williamson City.

Charisma 10 Charismatic from start to finish. He is convincing as so confident in his plan that he can be tactful.

Devotion 9 Again, dumping that body is a risk and he must feel that there is a significant chance he will be caught.

Physcial 9 Bo Williamson was a big man to transport.

Courage 9 It takes a great deal of courage to knock off such a big, politically powerful, obnoxious loudmouth.

"I'll play."

Dr. Bart Kepple, Double Exposure

Intelligence. Genius level. Genuinely smarter than Columbo.

Vileness. Uses a "woman of negotiable virtue" to seduce and blackmail married male clients into giving him whatever he wants. Will murder, once, twice or more. And frame an innocent person for it.

Charisma. Charming, witty and urbane. He has to be, as a salesman.

Devotion. No way is this guy gonna give up. Columbo can search til perdition hosts the winter Olympics and he will never find the small caliber gun for which he is looking.

Physical. In good shape, but that is hardly a requirement.

Courage. Commits murder when he might be caught by someone making an emergency trip to the restroom. No guarantee Victor will leave the theater. Never flinches when Columbo nearly runs over him with a golf cart and parries all Columbo's verbal thrusts with ease on the golf course. The only person smart enough to catch Kepple is Kepple.

Harold Van Wyck Playback

Intelligence. A genius in his field of electronics. Relates to people like a machine. Near zero people skills.

Vileness. Off the charts. Breaks the stench-o-meter. Marries a delightful handicapped woman strictly for her money. Treats her more like an inconvenience than a wife. Calmly murders his mother in law by shooting from the hip, displaying all the emotion of the Sphinx. Condescends to his brother in law, wife, Columbo and probably everyone else who has the misfortune to know him. Treats underlings like the gadgets in his smart house. "I clap my hands, you jump, understand?" All but spray paints his whereabouts on the ground in front of Baxter, on whom his perfect alibi will depend. Is already planning his next sexual conquest before Margaret is room temperature. Meets and ignores dog. A detestable man.

Charisma. When needed, he can turn on the suave to woo the gullible Elizabeth. And who knows how many other women?

Devotion. Even when caught, he just refuses to give up. Is he not the great genius?

Physical. Not known or required. Can wheel Elizabeth around, literally and figurativly.

Courage. Not needed, killing Margaret is a terribly cowardly act. Nothing he does requires any real daring.

Sean Brantley Columbo Cries Wolf

Intelligence. Cunning, but hardly smart.

Vileness. Will do anything to maintain his Hefner-esque existence. Including killing his long time bed and business partner.

Charisma. Well, woman seem to like him.

Devotion. Plan hinges on the police, especially the one who will make fools of them selves during the fake murder/disappearnace leaving him the heck alone during the real one. Would rather die than give up.

Physical. Workouts, swimming and sexual hijinks keep him in good shape. Has to lift his partner's body.

Courage. None required. Can call off his plan any time he is guaranteed ownership of the porno mag. When that does not happen, cruelly snaps his partner's neck. And hides her where Columbo has looked earlier.

Edmund Galvin Try and Catch Me

Intelligence Smart enough to get away with killing his wife and disposing of her body at sea. Too stupid to realize his Aunt by marriage and even her secretary know he did it.

Vileness Someone get an Airwick.

Charisma Wooed and wed Phyliss. Thinks women are all attracted to him. Someone oughta kill him.

Devotion "I'll never get caught."

Physical Rides horseback, sails, and can toss a weighted body overboard. Probably dives as well. Can hold his breath for a long time. This may come in handy one day, you never know.

Courage A creep who would beat up anyone fully half his size. Or commit murder in the middle of the ocean with no witnessess possible. Zero courage.

Oh, that was fun.

Joe

Well....I am glad it was fun for you Joe..........it was fun for me too! Thanks!

great thread! i am too tired to do my own ratings, but i am really enjoying reading everyone else's.

I'm glad this seems to be such a hit. Personally I think it's tough to rate how smart everyone is, because just about every killer Columbo goes up against seems smarter than I am (except maybe Findlay Crawford).

I'm interested in how the "newer" Columbo killers will stack up against the "older" ones. I'm including a batch of them in my next set.

Keep it up, fellows! I've missed being away from the forum for so long.