Season 1, Episode 2, “Columbo - Death Lends a Hand (1971)”

This episode was directed by Bernard Kowalski, and written by Richard Levinson and William Link. Levinson and Link won Emmy awards for most Outstanding Writing for this. 

The three best outfits in this episode are:

1) Brimmer’s green blazer: 

 

 

Brimmer wears a dark green blazer with leather covered buttons and western curve piping seam on back. They are in Los Angeles in the early 70s and the slight western style is evident.

 

 

 

He pairs this with a peach with blue stripe oxford shirt, deep coral/brown slacks and a bright red tie. Somehow he pulls this off without looking too Christmas-y or clown-y.

 

 

 

(Brimmer is played by Robert Culp who also wears a green blazer while guest starring and murdering in two future Columbo episodes, be on the lookout, this is foreshadowing.)

 

 2) Ken Archer’s golf outfit:

 

 The adulterous golf pro sports a gold polyester rayon Munsingwear penguin polo shirt, khaki flare golf pants, and white and brown saddle shoe golf spikes.

 

 

This is one of the very few episodes when Columbo takes off his raincoat while working. Archer holds it for him as he swings and his tie files up and hits him in the face.

3) Lenore Kennicutt’s olive toga dress:

 

 

 

Mrs. Kennicutt wears a polyester blend dress in olive green with an unusual draped scarf column mock turtle neckline. A simple gold clasp belt makes her look like Helen of Troy. 

The funniest moment in this episode is when Columbo looks for the exit door and ends up in the closet:

 

 

 

Maximum bumbling, though it leads him to Lenore’s golf clubs which leads him to discover her affair with Ken Archer.

 

Bonus love for decor goes out to the two framed 1969 Roy Lichtenstein screen prints from his “Cathedral Series” in Brimmer’s office. The prints show Rouen Cathedral in France. 

 

 

Honorable mention for best outfit goes to Brimmer’s secretary for the abstract blood cell polka dot big butterfly collar blouse under coordinating blue vest and skirt set. Crystal ashtray on the desk:

 

 

 

Most creative use of fashion accessory goes to the simultaneously psychedelic and schizophrenic use of split screens-within-a-screen with the retrospective murder coverup scenes reflected through Brimmer’s glasses.