Columbo's Battle of Wits
Oliver Brandt (Theodore Bikel) and Bertie Hastings (Sorrell Booke) have been friends since college, members of the Sigma club for those with High IQs and also business partners. The trouble is that Bertie has become aware that Oliver has been stealing money and when he threatens to expose him Oliver kills his best friend having pre-empted that Bertie was about to expose him and so set up the perfect crime. What Oliver doesn't account for is on Columbo's (Peter Falk) superior intellect when it comes to solving crimes, even those which have been painstakingly planned.
Could the writers of the "Columbo" series have come up with a better idea for on the episodes/ TV movies, I say TV movies as these 70 minute shows are now shown in the UK as TV movies. Take one of the greatest TV detectives with a keen eye for detail and a rugged determination which makes him the plight of bad guys and pit him against one of the top 2% of brainiacs on the planet who thinks he has staged the perfect murder. It provides for an amusing game of cat and mouse as we knowingly watch Columbo nip away at Oliver with his line of questioning which of course causes Oliver to feel increasingly ill at ease.
Now of course for the most "Columbo: The Bye-Bye Sky High I.Q. Murder Case" plays out in a predictable manner as we watch the rain coat wearing Lieutenant persistently harass Oliver in his research. But what this movie also offers up is the comedy of other members of the High I'Q' club coming up with theories when it comes to solving the crime much to the bemusement of Columbo.
What this all boils down to is that "Columbo: The Bye-Bye Sky High I.Q. Murder Case" is in truth just another enjoyable Columbo TV movie and that is all you want, a chance to see Peter Falk as Columbo pitting his wits against a killer.
Tags: Columbo
