Forgotten Lady
- Episode aired Sep 14, 1975
- TV-PG
- 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
A faded dance star of film and stage murders her husband and makes it look like a suicide; Lt. Columbo doubts her seemingly perfect alibi.A faded dance star of film and stage murders her husband and makes it look like a suicide; Lt. Columbo doubts her seemingly perfect alibi.A faded dance star of film and stage murders her husband and makes it look like a suicide; Lt. Columbo doubts her seemingly perfect alibi.
Linda Gaye Scott
- Alma
- (as Linda Scott)
Army Archerd
- Army Archerd
- (uncredited)
Johnny Carson
- Self - TV Host
- (uncredited)
Donald Chaffin
- Detective
- (uncredited)
Alan Copeland
- Modernaires Member
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Randy Doney
- Dancer In Rehearsal
- (uncredited)
Henry
- Columbo's Dog
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe made-up movie "Song and Dance", which laid the groundwork to possibly revive Grace Wheeler's career, is based on That's Entertainment! (1974), a movie highlighting musicals of the Golden Era of Hollywood.
- GoofsThe episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) the servants are watching the night of the killing aired June 27, 1975, which was a Friday (as Carson himself indicates on-camera when he wishes his viewers a nice weekend and discusses his upcoming guests the following week). However, the following day when Columbo goes to see Grace Wheeler, her Butler says it is Friday while announcing the arrival of her voice coach.
- Quotes
Sgt. Leftkowitz: You know, Lieutenant, um, I'm in the homicide office at least, uh, once a week. I don't think I've ever seen you there.
Columbo: Well, I don't get down there too much. None of the murders take place there, you know?
- ConnectionsFeatures Walking My Baby Back Home (1953)
Featured review
A perfect example of what made the Columbo series so enjoyable
Grace Wheeler Willis is a former star of musicals and she longs again for the limelight and the love of her public. When her husband refuses to finance her new project, she kills him making it look like suicide while she sets her alibi downstairs, watching one of her old movies. The police are naturally called and Columbo takes the case despite it looking like an open and shut case. A marked book and a sleeping pill give him cause to doubt the suicide and he can't help but keep picking until he is happy that he knows what happened.
As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Knowing this ahead of time won't ruin anything for you; it is simply what happens in all the films. With this strict adherence to formula it is usually down to several factors whether or not the Columbo film stands out or if it is just average. Having watched a couple of lacklustre Columbo's from the "new" series, I was so grateful for this classic entry doing all the stuff that the series is well loved for. The plot is simple enough and gives Columbo plenty to get stuck up on and pick away at. It is engaging and enjoyable on this level but it also has a nice comic vein running through it that adds to the entertainment value.
Falk is excellent. He is naturally clumsy and apparently slow (in true fashion he arrives at the murder scene half awake) but he also has other moments of sharpness and cunning elements of his character that haven't been done as well in the newer series. Leigh is also strong albeit not in the usual "adversary" type of role. Instead she is a convincing fading star and, although she plays with Columbo, she is less cocky and her character is more interesting than it could have been. Support is good from Payne, Jaffe and Evans among others and the whole cast are pretty good value but it is Falk's film and he does very well in it on several levels.
Overall an enjoyable Columbo film that shows all the hallmarks that made the series so successful and memorable. The plot is very good, with plenty of interest and comedy and a very good ending. The cast are all on the ball and the overall effect is to produce a really enjoyable film that fans will love and new viewers will easily get into.
As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Knowing this ahead of time won't ruin anything for you; it is simply what happens in all the films. With this strict adherence to formula it is usually down to several factors whether or not the Columbo film stands out or if it is just average. Having watched a couple of lacklustre Columbo's from the "new" series, I was so grateful for this classic entry doing all the stuff that the series is well loved for. The plot is simple enough and gives Columbo plenty to get stuck up on and pick away at. It is engaging and enjoyable on this level but it also has a nice comic vein running through it that adds to the entertainment value.
Falk is excellent. He is naturally clumsy and apparently slow (in true fashion he arrives at the murder scene half awake) but he also has other moments of sharpness and cunning elements of his character that haven't been done as well in the newer series. Leigh is also strong albeit not in the usual "adversary" type of role. Instead she is a convincing fading star and, although she plays with Columbo, she is less cocky and her character is more interesting than it could have been. Support is good from Payne, Jaffe and Evans among others and the whole cast are pretty good value but it is Falk's film and he does very well in it on several levels.
Overall an enjoyable Columbo film that shows all the hallmarks that made the series so successful and memorable. The plot is very good, with plenty of interest and comedy and a very good ending. The cast are all on the ball and the overall effect is to produce a really enjoyable film that fans will love and new viewers will easily get into.
helpful•346
- bob the moo
- Oct 10, 2005
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Tödliches Comeback
- Filming locations
- 141 N Grand Ave, Pasadena, California, USA(The Wheeler Willis residence)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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