Season 1, Episode 5 - "Columbo" Lady in Waiting (TV Episode 1971)

 Season 1, Episode 5 - "Columbo" Lady in Waiting (TV Episode 1971)


This episode was directed by Norman Lloyd, and written by Stephen Bochco, Richard Levinson, and Barney Slater.


The three best outfits in this episode are:


1) Beth Chadwick's (who happens to be Ma’am from Diff’rent Strokes) magenta velvet brocade ensemble:
 

 
This is a high waisted floral brocade skirt with velvet trim and matching long coat with a Rick James enormous collar, paired with ribbed turtleneck, a knit cap and gloves.
 

Beth’s brother’s death was “the best thing that ever happened to her” and her post-villainy wardrobe certainly reflects that.


 

2) Beth’s pumpkin polo and flares: 
 
 
 
She’s wearing a Leon Levin-style short sleeve polo shirt covered with a big pumpkin and pumpkin leaf motif, paired with hiphugger flares and saddle tan leather wedge sandals. 
 

 
 This outfit is pure October 1971 in a nutshell. Or pumpkin shell.



3) Mrs. Chadwick’s brown cape with floral on the reverse:  


Mrs. Chadwick is always dressed to the nines. This is a long brown dress with matching cape scarf that has a colorful delicate floral pattern on the reverse  that shows and flows when she moves. She accessorizes with a matching hat, giant gold and diamond brooch and many large bracelets. Her style reflects more of the 60s or 50s high class elegant formal-wear. 
 
 
The funniest lines in this episode are when Mrs. Chadwick mistakes Columbo for a servant and demands he gather her luggage and pay for her cab:  
 


This smacks of Caddyshack Judge Smails saying “How’d you like to mow my lawn, huh?”

 

And then when Columbo calls her dog Enrico, a “monkey” and she corrects him: 
 
 
Ah, that's a tough little monkey you got there

 
Enrico is not a monkey.


 He's a pedigreed silky. 


Bonus love for decor goes out to Peter Hamilton’s bachelor pad:
 
 

 
The bright orange chair and bird art along with the blue and orange wooden beaded screen are funky and cool.
 

He even has a hanging pothos plant back there. 
 




Extra, extra love for decor goes out to the beauty parlor:  


Aside from the fact no beauty parlor would have carpeting, this place is a visual dream.

Cotton candy pink walls, crystal chandelier, cherry red carpet, curved counters with white beaded canopy, powder blue shiny chrome chairs, simply divine.

 

VOTE: POLL: S1E5 Lady in Waiting - Which outfit is your favorite?  

Comments

Kevin Radey said…
Hall of Fame wardrobe for Beth Chadwick in this one. Sharp. Season 1, episode 5 sets a standard of excellence for all future character's clothing during the Columbios.
May 17, 2023 at 6:34 PM
skippy haha said…
I agree. The standard may peak next season in S2e5 Requiem for a Falling Star we will see but this one has a solid wardrobe overall. Beth Chadwick's metamorphosis is reflected in her increasingly bold fashion choices. She goes from mousy librarian to Rick James overnight!
May 17, 2023 at 6:41 PM
Anonymous said…
She’s groovy
May 18, 2023 at 1:04 PM
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