Columbo - The Complete Sixth and Seventh Seasons (1977)

The Greatest Police/Detective Show of Them All

This set concludes the tremendous Columbo run of the 1970s. Later movies and Columbo's return are crap, but this set is the real deal. Perhaps the most poignant exchange in the series' entire run is contained in the episode "The Bye Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case". Towards the episodes conclusion, Columbo and the perp exchange stories about their pasts. Columbo recounting how he worked so hard to become a detective and the perp revealing the difficulties faced by highly intelligent people. Great stuff. Well worth a purchase. March 22, 2008

Gotta Watch Columbo

We have all the Columbo Series that are available because we're big fans. They're entertaining with Columbo's easy-going style and the mystery is always good to watch unfold. February 10, 2008

Best detective ever!

It depends on one's preferences, though. I grew up with Columbo, my whole family watched it, and still watches it. I've seen some of them 5 times. It's a classic, got its unique style, either you love it or you don't, I do. February 8, 2008

Good collection: six out of eight ain't bad!

Part of the fun of watching a "Columbo" episode is the banter between the wily detective and the witty murderer. The episodes on this compilation provide a showcase, not just for star Peter Falk, but for the guest "killers" that run a very eclectic blend. The best of these are: (1) "Old-Fashioned Murder" with Joyce Van Patten perfect as a spinster museum curator that commits double homicide; (2) "Try and Catch Me" with Oscar-winner Ruth Gordon as a mystery writer that commits a murder of revenge; (3) "How to Dial a Murder" with Nicol Williamson and two killer canines; (4) "Murder Under Glass" with Louis Jourdan as a food critic with a deadly "recipe"; and (5) "Make Me a Perfect Murder" featuring Trish Van DeVere as a television producer that goes to extremes to "cancel" a business rival and current lover. Broadway veteran Theodore Bikel is a genius with homicide on the brain in the amusing "The Bye-Bye Sky High I.Q. Murder Case," which features a young Jamie Lee Curtis as a haggard waitress.

The remaining two installments have some merit but aren't quite as engaging, thus making them, in my opinion, lesser entries in the series. William Shatner seems to not stray from his usual hamminess as a television detective in "Fade in to Murder." Shatner would do better as a Columbo villain in the 90's "Butterfly in Shades of Gray."

Though "The Conspirators" ranks high as a fan and critical favorite, I could never get into the storyline, due to the fact that I just don't understand the conflict in Northern Ireland, finding it to be senseless. Thus, I can't appreciate the antagonist, played by Clive Revill.

Another engaging quality in the series is to take note of the number of actors that frequently appear in the show, either as a victim, a murderer, or a featured performer. Mariette Hartley, Jeanette Nolan, Shera Danese (MRS. Peter Falk), Patrick O'Neal, James McEachin, and Tim O'Conner are just six actors that appear in this set that find themselves in past and/or future episodes.

Also, Patrick Williams is a one composer that contributes some of the best and most memorable scores for the long-running series.

One can also get a kick out of hearing the unofficial "Columbo" theme: "This Old Man." In fact, Falk sings it in one of the shows found on the set.

As a whole, this DVD compilation comes highly recommended, even with the two weaker installments. November 19, 2007

Columbo series

Excellent condition! Shipped out on a timely manner as well.

Also completes my final episodes for my "Columbo Collection. October 31, 2007

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