Season 4, Episode 2, Columbo - Negative Reaction (1974)

Season 4, Episode 2, Columbo - Negative Reaction (1974)

 

 

This episode was directed by Alf Kjellin, and written by Peter Fischer, William Link and Richard Levinson. 

 

The three best outfits in this episode are: 

 

1) Lorna McGrath's funeral attire: 

 

 

She is unhypocritically attending the funeral of her lover/murderer's wife in a wide collared dark green and black geometric pattern with psychedelic floral splashes shirt dress and giant floppy green hat. 

It is short and adorable.

 

 

 

Perhaps slightly too festive for the occasion. 

 

2) Frances Galesko's red suit:

 

 

She's wearing a black with white and red abstract accents wide collar pussy bow neckline blouse with a bright red blazer and wide flare pants. 

They zoom in on her neutral taupe and patent leather black slingback spectator heels as she delivers one of the funniest lines in the episode, while being tied to a chair about to be executed: "Now if this is some sort of a joke, must I remind you that you have no sense of humor and you never have. None at all." 

3) Paul Galesko's suede shacket: 

He's got on a suede shacket with shoulder epaulets, over a navy blue disco polo, light denim jeans, and Adidas Gazelle sneakers. 

Smooth outfit. 

 

 

Bonus points for fashion go out to Alvin Deschler's Canadian tuxedo:

 

 

 

He is wearing a classic Levi's 0217 denim jacket with embroidery on back and Lee denim bootcut jeans. 

 

This is the second time we have seen a murder victim in a Canadian tuxedo, recall Harry Alexander drugged out and tumbling down his apartment stairs in Season 2 Episode 6 A Stitch in Crime. 

 

 

Eagle eyes for fashion will notice that Paul Galesko's (Dick Van Dyke) Levi's 70671 denim chore coat is the exact same one worn by Tommy Brown (Johnny Cash) in Season 3 Episode 7 "Swan Song"'s final scenes. 

 

 

Same long denim jacket with orange Levi's tab, side slits, back vent. He wears it while delivering another one of the funniest lines:

 "You're like a little shaggy haired terrier that's got a grip on my trousers, you won't let go!" 

Good segue into the funniest moment in this episode when Columbo tells Galesko that his dog has been sad because he fell in love with a Cocker spaniel that ran away: 

 

In a moment of wholesome sincerity he wonders if Paul has a photo of a Cocker spaniel that Dog could look at as a substitute

 

But realizes that Dog wouldn't be fooled. Delightfully absurd scene.

 

And also when Sister of Mercy mistakes Columbo for a homeless person and offers him a new coat, warmer, nicer, 36 Short: 

 

 

 

Bonus love for decor goes out to the Galesko's white and gold stripe ice bucket: