Thanks Cass for the kind hello.
I don't so much mind the acting in that scene, it was kinda raw. I just didn't pick up on the Columbo being especially nice vibe that you and others have mentioned before. To tell you the truth he seemed to be patronising the guy to me.
You didn't get feeling at all?

I also got the feeling he was rather patronising, however Columbo has been made out to be someone who knows what like to come from modest circumstances, so it could be that he was trying to see how the Lally was doing, but if it was so bad, he might have offered him some money, or to help him in some other way, which he didn't.

I can see how you guys could consider Columbo's manner as being patronizing, but I would like to think that he was just going out of his way to be kind to this down and out guy.
The BIG question about this scene, is why did Columbo open that can of beer if he knew he wasn't going to drink it!!

On a side note...I find it interesting that the 2 of you spell patronizing with an 's'...and I spell it with a 'z'.........either way is ok, I looked it up...but I just find it interesting..........why??...I don't know!!

Ah Cass,
don't you start! I get it enough from Bill Gates' spell check programmes. Americans tend to use z's in words that other English speakers use s's.

juZt making an obZervation, Mark!!!!