Jack Cassidy is one of the best villains ever. In nearly every role he performed, he was smug and slippery. His good looks and suave being got him out of a lot of jams. In this one, he arranges the murder of a man (Mickey Spillane) who is writing a new novel. His decision to drop Cassidy's character and remove a meal ticket, causes our guy to take matters into his own hands. He hands the job to a nut case explosives expert, the casting of which could not have been better. He has that wayward look in his eyes. I've never heard of the actor, but he pulls off the psychotic role to a T. Once again, the villain overplays his hand, making too much noise along the way. Cover-ups always entice Columbo and once in his grip, these guys don't have a chance. One thing that has nothing to do with anything. One would think that Columbo who has dined with near royalty, people in the entertainment industry, would lose the boorishness. He goes into a fine restaurant to meet with some people. He is invited to stay and then orders chili, which isn't on the menu, of course. He is so insightful, yet he is clueless when it comes to basic social interactions.
Review of Publish or Perish
