I'm following a Columbo post on Reddit. They're not NEARLY as well-educated as everyone here, on Columbo.

Someone there is claiming that he heard the name "Frank Columbo" spoken, and he's only 1 1/2 seasons in. I know all about the badge in "Matter of Honor". But I also seem to recall some chatter years ago from Requiem for a Fallen Star, when he's asking about the Shriner's Ring in the crowd, that someone yells out at him, "Frank!".

Anyone chime in?

Nobody calls Columbo "Frank", but one of the citizens on the scene after Jerry Parks is run over says, when asked by Columbo if he's a shriner, "No, but Frank the bartender on the corner is a shriner."

Ok, just having fun with your response.

It depends if the script was written:

No, but Frank the bartender on the corner is a shriner."

OR

No, but Frank, the bartender on the corner is a shriner."


I've always understood that COMMAS ARE VERY IMPORTANT:

Let's eat grandma."

VS.

Let's eat, grandma."

I suppose, Dave.

I listened to it again and he actually says, "No, but you know Frank, the bartender on the corner is a shriner." This indicates he was referring to the bartender, not Columbo.

I think the fact that the guy was obviously not someone Columbo knew points to him calling the bartender Frank and not Columbo himself.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXpw-xEN4EU. (The conversation comes up at about 1:03:00 of the episode)