If you notice, Columbo almost runs over
the officer's foot as the car rolls backwards,
but he pulls it out of the way just in time.
Maybe that wasn't planned!

That's one of those spots where I just have to wonder... "Was that in the script?" Or did that just happen on the spot? Was Peter Falk actually suppose to drive the car all the way up the hill and out of shot, continuing on his way to the shooting scene? When the conversation with the cop ended, did Peter try to get the car into gear and get it going and then the car stalled out, potentially ruining the scene? Did Peter Falk save the scene, and turn it into good comedy - right there on the spot - by coming up with the line, "Well, I think it'll be OK here."

I can't wait to find this out once this episode comes out on DVD and Peter Falk supplies the commentary for... Oh wait! DARN, DARN, DARN, DARN, DARN!!!

Headache, you ARE a piece of work

yuppers, he is fred!

Even though it's unfortunate that we don't get decent extras on the DVDs, I'd point out that many times a cast member's commentary often fails to live to expectations, especially if the cast member is doing it alone and he/she is seeing the episode for the first time in many years. Case in point was how on a recent DVD release of the 60s sitcom "That Girl" episode "commentaries" by Marlo Thomas consisted largely of dead stretches of silence punctuated by a few chuckles of her reacting to events on screen with no further comment!

Now if Peter were doing a commentary with Mark D. helping him along in the rough spots (or any other fan who knows the episodes inside out) *that* would be worth hearing! But I have to wonder if by himself, Peter would live up to expectations.

One person I know would have done a great job on a commentary based on what he's done elsewhere is Robert Culp, who in an "I Spy" commentary even referenced one of his Columbo experiences (the improvised bit in "Death Lends A Hand" when he wipes the food off Columbo's necktie).

Or Robert Conrad. Too bad he wasn't in any more episodes, he was great. "Go Ahead, I dare Ya." (To knock battery off his shoulder).