McGoohan's Oscar Finch was also my favorite McGoohan performance!

McGoohan and Robert Culp were great, able to give nuance to the various characters they played.

Rod McDowal was the worse, in my opinion. I just do not like the way Ruth Gordon played Abigail. I know I am in the minority there. But Ruth rates as my number two worst actor. Three to me is Jackie Cooper. I do like Candidate for Crime but to me it is as 'lame' as it gets. Premise, situation and plot are unbelievable. Cooper's acting just make it more unbelievable. Just an opinion.

I don't dislike Ruth Gordon in her role, but HERE AND THERE she does overdo that kind of personality she became famous for, that "Harold and Maude" one. But my only real complaint is about a handful of her lines, and as far as I know she didn't write those (in spite of being a writer herself).

I agree with Peter. Shatner was my first choice as well. Hence, Fade in to Murder ranks prominently among my least favorite Columbo episodes. The only role he ever impressed me in was as Kirk in Star Trek. Otherwise, I can't stand the little runt.