Dagger of the Mind is the fourth episode of the second season of Columbo and the thirteenth episode overall. It first aired on November 26, 1972 and was directed by Richard Quine. In addition to Peter Falk as Columbo, the episode stars Richard Baseheart, Honor Blackman and John Williams (the actor, not the composer).
This was the first Columbo episode to not take place in Los Angeles, California, being instead set and partially filmed in London, England. Only Troubled Waters (set aboard a cruise ship) and A Matter of Honor (set in Mexico) would follow in its footsteps.
Dagger of the Mind sees a Shakespearean acting duo accidentally kill their theater producer during a backstage struggle, they cover his death up as an accident. Unfortunately for them, Columbo is in London to study British policing techniques and quickly pokes holes in the "official story." Bernard Fox plays Columbo's chief ally in Scotland Yard.
Cast[]
- Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo.
- Richard Baseheart as Nicholas Frame and Honor Blackman as Lillian Stanhope, a married pair of Shakespearean actors who attempt to cover up the death of their producer during a heated backstage row.
- John Williams as Sir Roger Haversham, a wealthy theater producer who was manipulated by the couple into bankrolling their production of Macbeth. When he realizes their deception, he furiously confronts them and in the ensuing struggle is fatally struck over the head by Lillian.
- Wilfrid Hyde-White as Tanner, Sir Roger's butler who deduces the true circumstances of his death and attempts to blackmail the dastardly duo; with lethal consequences.
- Bernard Fox as Detective Chief Superintendent Durk, Columbo's host during his stay in London. He allows Columbo to investigate the suspicious death of Sir Roger and even assists him.
- John Fraser as Detective Sergeant O'Keefe, another Scotland Yard detective who meets Columbo at Heathrow Airport.
- Arthur Malet as Joe Fenwick, the stage doorman at the Royal Court Theater.
Columbo (season 2) |
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1."Étude in Black" 2."The Greenhouse Jungle" 3."The Most Crucial Game" 4."Dagger of the Mind" 5."Requiem for a Falling Star" 6."A Stitch in Crime" 7."The Most Dangerous Match" 8."Double Shock" |