A quick passing thought about this epsiode. It's not one of my favourites but it holds a special place in my heart because I'm an Englishman and I was born and raised in London. We know that Peter Falk actually came to London back in 1972 to shoot the episode - but just who else came here with him? The exterior shots were of course done in London - Tower Bridge, Big Ben, The Royal Court Theatre, etc. but Sir Roger's country home was pure Los Angeles, and the street outside the bicycle shop was Universal Studios. But what of the actors? I don't think John Williams was brought over because he's only seen in long shot as he enters the theatre at night. Arthur Malet, a British-born actor resident in LA, is seen outside the theatre talking to Columbo in the rain. Wilfred Hyde-White is only seen at the mansion and the Frames' house - so I suspect he stayed in LA. But Basehart and Blackman must have been in both countries to complete the shoot. Don't know whether British actor Bernard Fox lives here or in the US - so that's anyone's guess. Also, anyone recognise the voice of Don (Etude In Black) Knight through the door as he calls "Five minutes until curtain, Miss Stanhope"?

Oh WoW! you mean Mike the Mechanic?? I never knew that! Very observant of you!

Awww, that's very kind of you, sir, thank you very much. Say, er, where can I get shoes like yours for about $19.00??

I think in the case of Honor Blackman, getting her to come to the US for additional shots would have been the trickier part since she's always stayed based in England and "Dagger Of The Mind" represents one of the very few things she's done for a principally American audience in the post-Goldfinger era.

I think the cast and the atmosphere makes this one of the best Columbo episodes ever, certainly in my top three of post-Season 1 episodes.

Yes, it's not really a bad show at all, but I'm sure most Americans believe that English Chief Superintendents really do say, "By Jove!" like Durk in that episode. Other famous English cliches used by American writers in TV shows of that era include, "Lord love a duck!", "didn't mean any 'arm, guv'ner!", and "they say there's bin a 'orrible murder in Whitechapel!" Hopefully, they've all thrown away their Dick Van **** "Murray Poppins" book of English slang by now. All together now: "Oh it's a jolly 'olliday with Murray..."

How curious...just previewed this message and it censored D y k e. Political correctness here?? Oh no, surely not?

"How curious...just previewed this message and it censored D y k e. Political correctness here?? Oh no, surely not?"

Of a kind. Try typing in the name of Blackman's Goldfinger character and the same thing will happen. :)

I have always enjoyed this episode. The ending may be a bit weak, but I think it is highly amusing. I love that horrified look on Lily's face when Nicholas starts going crazy.

One other thing about the cast in this episode is that both Arthur Malet and Bernard Fox appeared in one of the funniest episodes of The Dick Van **** Show, "Never Bathe On Saturday" which involves Laura Petrie being stuck in a hotel bathtub because her toe is caught in the drain pipe. Fox plays an overly ambitious house detective while Malet, in age makeup gets one of the biggest laughs ever when as he slowly saws off the pipe to free Laura and Rob asks him if there's a reason why he can't go any faster. Malet, in his typical accent goes, "The very best one. I'm seventy-four years old!"