Columbo: It's All in the Game (1993) (TV)

Director:

Vincent McEveety

Writers:

Richard Levinson (creator) &
William Link (creator) ...

Release Date:

31 October 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

Gigolo Nick Franco is a violent, two-timing cad. His current paramour, Laura Stanton, has had enough...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Detective | Murder Investigation | Gambling | Investigation

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Faye Dunaway	...	Lauren Staton
Claudia Christian	...	Lisa Martin
Armando Pucci	...	Nick Franco
Bill Macy	...	Ruddick
John Finnegan	...	Barney
Doug Sheehan	...	Riley
Shelley Morrison	...	Nick's Maid
Tom Henschel	...	Fingerprint Man
Jack Shearer	...	Investigator #1
Shashawnee Hall	...	Investigator #2
Stewart J. Zully	...	Investigator #3
Bruce Ed Morrow	...	Medical Examiner (as Bruce E. Morrow)
Heath Kizzier	...	Photo Clerk
Daniel Trent	...	Detective #1 (as Daniel T. Trent)

Runtime:

Germany:91 min | USA:120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:PG

Company:

Universal TV

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: Lisa Martin waits with the corpse, which is covered with an electric blanket. Notice the corpse's face: a few seconds after the doorbell rings, the dead man dramatically blinks his eye. The camera angle and the actor's heavy eyelids create a startling effect as he bats his lashes. Apparently the actor's eyes are open except for the blink, which is puzzling since we earlier saw the dead body with his eyes closed.

Quotes:

Laura Staton: Do you have a first name I can call you by?
Lt. Columbo: Yeah. "Lieutenant."

Movie Connections:

References The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

Terrific Columbo movie

Out of the many "Columbo" TV episodes and movies, this one ranks among the best. Dunaway (who took home an Emmy for this) is sensational as a wealthy woman involved in the killing of her gambling, slimy younger boyfriend. She and Peter Falk play a game of cat and mouse with him constantly trying to get to the truth and her distracting him with offhand romantic comments and gestures. The chemistry between these very different actors is extraordinary. It sounds impossible that the queen of glamour would have any rapport with this rumpled, cross-eyed detective, but their relationship is fascinating. Falk's blushing at the interest from Dunaway is very charming and her adoration of him softens her sometimes severe edges. The convoluted story keeps viewers guessing as well, but the fun is in watching the stars bounce off each other. She is a monument to make-up and hairspray while he barely runs a comb through his hair, but they are a delight. WATCH THIS!