Columbo - The Complete Third Season

I absolutely love Columbo. One of television's finest programs ever. I ordered Season 3, for my favorite episodes, "A Friend in Need" and "A Candidate for Crime". So enjoyable watching the oh so arrogant murderer brought down by detective Columbo. That's especially true in the former episode. Also in this Season is Swan Song with Johnny Cash. Does anyone but me sympathize with the murderer in this one? Lol. His wife was so horrible. I like to watch Columbo's expressions, to try and figure out just when it is that he begins to suspect the real culprit. So far, I'm not successful but who cares? I enjoy just watching him work. Plan to order more seasons, as I have already watched each episode 2wice and I just received this dvd!! Lol My pkg came on time as expected. Also, I ordered a "used" dvd, as the price was better and even tho the pkg showed a little wear, the dvd's were in excellent condition. A few fingerprints....no big deal. Very satisfied.

We enjoy mysteries and our favorite videos feature Agatha Christie's stories ( mainly the series produced in the 80's and 90's with Joan Hickson as Miss Marple and David Suchet as Hercule Poirot.). We have not really found others we care for that meet our standards ( clean, no bad language, no nudity or scantily clad people) until we tried Columbo. I remember my Dad watching it, but I really had no idea what to expect when I bought the first season. We LOVE this show!! Partly because he is such a an endearing character. He is extremely humble, polite,& caring, but he can sniff out a murderer and one can sense, occasionally. his confidence in his ability. Highly respected, rich, and powerful people think they can outwit him, but when it comes to murder he has instinct and experience that give him the victory every time. Yeah, it is too good to be true, but it is so much fun watching him in his battered rain coat chomping or puffing on his stinky cigar while he looks at every crime scene in ways other investigators don't. I also like the way we find out from the start who did the crime. The fun is watching Columbo catch him. As I said, we want clean entertainment, so we have not heard bad language. There are a few episodes that have some scenes with women in bikinis or belly dancing ( I, being the wife, stand in front of the screen and fast forward), but not every episode.

I didn't like the double sided discs, but it's worth putting up with because this is one of the best seasons of Columbo,. I think early Columbo showed more of the detective setting up a surprise for the killer than latter ones did. One of my favorites "A Friend In Deed" is one of those set-ups--also one with some excellent acting, not only Richard Kiley as the arrogant police commissioner, but also Val Avery, the character actor who plays Artie Jessup. Another one where Columbo sets a clever trap for the killer is fan-favorite, "Any Old Port In A Storm", with Donald Pleasance about a vintner, with Columbo proving a quick study in wine, a natural oenophile,This is also the season with "Swan Song" starring Johnny Cash as a sympathetic "man in black" country singer who kills his overbearing wife.(Added bonus: Cash sings and plays guitar). Falk has some nice moments here where he just looks at Cash and you can see his heart isn't in apprehending this guy, but he has to do his job.Some of my favorite actors appear in this season. In addition to Kiley, there's Jackie Cooper, perfectly cast as a politician ("Candidate for Crime"); Robert Walker Jr. in a complex father-son story "Mind Over Mayhem" with Jose Ferrer, and Robert Culp playing a less forceful-than-usual, intelligent but soft spoken scientist in "Double Exposure"--perfect cat and mouse with Columbo.Other good episodes include Jack Cassidy in "Publish or Perish" as his usual cold, ruthless charmer--with a cameo by real-life crime novelist Mickey Spillane and Vera Miles as the head of a beauty empire. For my money, this is one of the best seasons.

What can possibly be said about the best murder mystery program ever created? Columbo is the finest and most entertaining series of this genre, and it has certainly stood the test of time. Although the fashions have changed, and police work has become more scientific, I prefer watching a true detective solve the crime by using his brain. Portraying an air of disorganization and incompetence, Columbo successfully lures the criminals into a false sense of superiority and security. Meanwhile, as they let their guard down, the Lieutenant skilfully ties up any loose ends and brings the hammer down when least expected. A master of the game, Peter Falk is superb and I dare say we will never see the likes of him again.Episodes I can (and have) watched over and over again! Thank you, Lieutenant Columbo!

Highly recommended. Colombo is just wonderful, I love his slow approach, his apparent humility, his old raincoat, his respectfor his opponents the killers. The episodes are a real mental pleasure - as we watch he slowly and charmingly builds a webaround his suspects. Sometimes he cannot quite get there, the last piece is missing, and we begin to wonder if they will getaway with it - only to lay one of his diabolical traps. And there is his amusing (and disconcerting to the victim) habit of turning atthe door with "oh, just one more thing". He is strong too - his refusal to be put off by arrogant celebrities on the grounds of theirimportant time. A lovely series (all, not just No 3), do give it a try - but don't forget - to get the maximum pleasure you'll need toconcentrate too!

As you'll see from the photo, two of the discs in this set were the same. Missing disc 4. I contacted Music Magpie and guess what, because we hadn't noticed within 90 days of purchase (I mean, it's hardly obvious is it), they weren't interested. rather than show some respect for me as a customer they'd rather throw to the wind my previous goodwill towards them - for less than a fiver! (also claiming they had no records for purchases in May 2019, really??).

I think all the other reviews have said it all really. This is prime period Columbo, and certainly one of the best, if the THE best series of them all.Peter Falk is marvelous as Columbo and I think because he played the part for such a long time he became underrated as an actor. Well as can be seen in this series, with some very good actors (Donald Pleasance for example) he was a superb actor, and easily matches and frequently over-shadows the other cast members. Columbo was not Peter Falk! All the mannerisms were created by the writers and his acting talent.I'm not going to describe the excellent episodes on this set, as its been done already many times. However like one other reviewer I will point out that there are no subtitles on this set. I don't need them yet, but one day I may...

Great series that I followed as a kid in the 70's and has lots of fantastic stories. I think the series highlight is Double Exposure which stars Robert Culp. It is a highlight because it is a cat and mouse story but the villain (Culp) is a real match for Columbo and there is much frustration for Columbo as he tries to figure out how to catch him.

Absolutely brilliant season of Columbo, including a few I hadn't seen before. 'A friend in Deed' is a particular highlight along with 'Any old port in a storm', and the soundtrack is spot on, highly recommended if mystery and new wave direction are your thing, with great acting from Peter Falk plus costars as always.