PLOT: Dr. Cahill runs a scientific institute and his son is due to receive a prestigous award. However, Dr. Howard Nicholson, who also works for the institute, has obtained proof that he copied a dead man's research in order to obtain the award and threatens to expose him. It would make Cahill a laughing stock if his son was exposed so he plans to murder Nicholson. The plot irritates at times. Firstly, the way that the murderer runs over the victim as if he'd planned it that way is a bit implausible. It was very lucky that Dr. Howard Nicholson came out into the road at all and the fact he didn't move out of the way at the last minute when the car came towards him was very convenient. We are led to believe that the murderer dragged the body into his house and when he'd finished decided to have a cigar, which is a ridiculous notion. He left a cigar match in the ashtray. Therefore when Columbo turns up he immediately suspects Dr. Cahill because he is a cigar smoker. A bit lame that. At the end Columbo frames Dr. Cahill 's son with false evidence in the hope that his father will confess to save his son, which he does.
VERDICT:
Columbo seems to feel sympathy and thinks that Dr. Cahill committed murder in order to save his son's reputation. However, this is nonsense, as he committed murder for his own selfish ends. The son only committed the fraud in the first place so his father would be proud of him and was perfectly prepared to confess to the crime. However, despite it's flaws Jose Ferrer gives a decent performance and it is a watchable episode, though far from a classic.
Written by Mark Wilson
(C) Copyright Wilson/Young Enterprises 2006.
CAST:
Dr Marshall Cahill.....José Ferrer
Dr Howard Nicholson......Lew Ayres
Neil Cahill.......Robert Walker jr
Steve Spelberg......Lee Montgomery
Margaret Nicholson..Jessica Walter
Ross....................Lou Wagner
Murph.............Arthur Batanides
