PLOT: Columbo has to solve a murder at the embassy of a (fictitious) Middle Eastern kingdom. Evidence points to the shady chief director (Hector Elizondo), but he has diplomatic immunity. Sal Mineo is on hand as an accomplice.
COMMENTARY: This is a rather obscure installment and my memories of it were foggy, so I expected a mediocre Columbo flick. Yet I found myself engaged by the dialogue-driven story. As usual, the arrogant antagonist underestimates the rumpled detective because of his nice-guy humility and clumsiness (accidently stepping on his robe twice); that is, until the sleuth confronts him in the great kitchen scene. From then on, the pompous Arab sweats it out while comforted by the fact that diplomatic immunity protects him. How can Columbo possibly get around it?
Brioni Farrell shines as Xenia, a worker at the embassy. She's reminiscent of Yasmine Bleeth, albeit 20 years prior to Yasmine's heyday.
GRADE: B
COMMENTARY: This is a rather obscure installment and my memories of it were foggy, so I expected a mediocre Columbo flick. Yet I found myself engaged by the dialogue-driven story. As usual, the arrogant antagonist underestimates the rumpled detective because of his nice-guy humility and clumsiness (accidently stepping on his robe twice); that is, until the sleuth confronts him in the great kitchen scene. From then on, the pompous Arab sweats it out while comforted by the fact that diplomatic immunity protects him. How can Columbo possibly get around it?
Brioni Farrell shines as Xenia, a worker at the embassy. She's reminiscent of Yasmine Bleeth, albeit 20 years prior to Yasmine's heyday.
GRADE: B