SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 76 Min.
First airing on NBC on November 17, 1971, this early Columbo caper directed by Hy Averback focuses on Los Angeles’ high society art world. In a crushed velvet tuxedo no less, celebrity art critic Dale Kingston, with some help from an accomplice, murders his rich and elderly uncle.
His aim is to inherit (directly or not) Uncle Rudy’s multi-million dollar art collection. Helping himself to two of his favorite pieces during a staged robbery-homicide, the pompous Kingston adds an airtight alibi – perhaps too airtight. With Columbo apparently closing in, Kingston’s secondary objective: framing his uncle’s ditzy ex-wife for his murderous scheme comes into play.
Lt. Columbo: Peter Falk
Dale Kingston: Ross Martin
Edna Matthews: Kim Hunter
Tracy O’Connor: Rosanna Huffman
Frank Simpson: Don Ameche
Sam Franklin: Vic Tayback
Mitilda: Joan Shawlee
Capt. Wyler: Barney Phillips
O’Connor’s Landlady: Mary Wickes
Evans: Curt Conway
Art Matron: Sandra Gould
Kingston’s Make-Up Artist: Odessa Cleveland (uncredited)
Parking Attendant: Dennis Rucker
“Uncle” Rudy Matthews: Robert Shayne
REVIEW:
It’s classic (or close to it) Columbo! Peter Falk’s raincoat-clad alter-ego is terrific making it look easy latching on to the culprit, practically from the get-go. The Wild, Wild West’s Ross Martin is ideal as Columbo’s latest killer-of-the-week. Had he dialed up his smarmy charisma another notch, his conceited Dale Kingston would have made a fun 1960’s Bat-villain for Adam West & Burt Ward.
Besides a vintage Martin, viewers get Kim Hunter’s spot-on performance as Kingston’s unsuspecting ex-aunt. The same applies to Alice’s gruff Vic Tayback playing against type as a bohemian artist gone Beverly Hills. Including Don Ameche, as the aunt’s possibly treacherous attorney, this guest cast provides Falk with all the support he needs.
The episode’s formulaic scripting holds up with a fair share of surprises — Columbo fans should sense at least some of them coming. Yet, the crackerjack plot hinges on an ultra-clever plot twist re: a search warrant. Suffice to say, as satisfying as the conclusion is, it’s one of those convenient story elements that only happens on TV. Even so, “Suitable for Framing” remains a treat for any armchair detective to watch a half-century later.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
Note: Also recommended is Columbo: An Exercise in Fatality. In Season 4’s opener, Martin’s Wild, Wild West cohort, Robert Conrad, portrays the culprit – an abrasive fitness mogul.
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