![]() Most, for example, have great difficulty feigning grief when they learn the “bad news” of the death of someone they knew because, after all, they aren’t professional actors when they’re in character. Now, in the typical Columbo episode, the murderer is ordinarily not a persuasive “actor” at all. But the “acting” by the Clayton character actually works here. The reason I like this scene is that it requires the Clayton character to “act” as an upset “young person” involved in a troubling “love affair” in order to fool Dudek into writing the letter in Russian in his own hand. It’s the scene where Clayton implores Dudek to write the “I’m very ashamed” letter that Clayton intends to use out of context. However, I have my own best scene from the episode that’s not on this list. And you’re not going to get much argument about the restaurant encounter between Clayton and Dudek as a best moment either. The scene perfectly encapsulates Clayton’s mentally unstable character and his sense of dread. I’d think most Columbo fans would agree that the trippy chess nightmare sequence is one of the top scenes or moments of “The Most Dangerous Match” if not the number one spot. Please view the below image with caution to avoid unnecessary nightmares… Why? Because it’s a load of tosh! Read my full episode review to find out why. You’ll notice the episode gotcha is conspicuous by its absence. “The screaming psychedelia of the opening chess nightmare sequence is bonkers and brilliant in equal measure.”ĭo let me know what you make of my selections, and hit me up with your own episode highlights in the comments section below. Just don’t watch it while under the influence of narcotics or you, too, will wake up, howling, in a cold sweat just like our mate Emmett! ![]() It’s bonkers and brilliant in equal measure and for a modern audience might seem ridiculous, but take it for what it is (a slice of kitsch 70s’ TV par excellence) and it’s one hell of a viewing experience. In an episode admittedly low on stand-out scenes, the screaming psychedelia of the opening chess nightmare sequence is really quite something. Just as well the restaurant had chess-friendly, stereotype-tastic chequered tablecloths, eh? Or else this episode could have panned out waaaaaaaaaaaaay differently… 1. The restaurant showdownĮffectively staged, the impromptu encounter between the two rivals at the French restaurant is far more appetising than a plateful of garlic snails.Ī strong insight into the mental condition of both men, Dudek’s besting of his American opponent is the tonne weight that crushes the camel’s back, leaving the desperately insecure Clayton believing his only way of saving himself from abject humiliation is murder most foul. ( NB – Dudek’s near-fatal injuries make a mockery of the workmen’s devil-may-care attitudes, but that’s a story for another day) 2. If anything goes into the machine while it’s operating, there’s an automatic cut-off! It goes back on at the touch of a button, but the cut-off is the reason Dudek wasn’t instantly slain – and it’s the clue Columbo needs to deduce that only a deaf man wouldn’t have noticed the machinery cutting out. The rascally pooch is on the scene as Columbo inspects the trash compactor near the episode finale, and causes a panic as he gallops up the steps towards the mouth of the compactor where Dudek met his demise.Ī workman grabs Dog before his suicidal urges cause a calamity, but a fellow worker tells Columbo he needn’t have worried anyway. Good old Dog! Usually merely entertaining window dressing, the adorable pup makes a tangible contribution to cracking the case here. ![]() The revelation is as stunning for Clayton as it is for the viewer, giving him one hell of a shock and a major problem still on his hands to avoid being busted. “You’re speaking as if he’s already dead,” says the Lieutenant – when in fact the chubby-chinned chess ace is clinging on to life in hospital despite massive injuries. Dudek lives!Īfter Tomlin Dudek’s mangled body is found in the hotel trash compactor, old Emmett makes some empty utterances over what a loss the tubby Soviet will be to the world of chess when ‘informed’ of the tragedy. “Do you think that the finest chess player in the world would make even half the mistakes you ascribe to me?” he seethes at Columbo – precisely as a Lego-haired amateur opponent symbolically check-mates him! Nice… 4. ![]() Clayton’s chess foe set a world record for thickest ever televised hairĬonfronting Clayton at a live, round-robin chess clash against a dozen or more plucky contenders, Columbo rocks the Grandmaster’s concentration as he outlines his case against him in a very public setting.
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