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Lady in Waiting is the fifth episode of the first season of Columbo and the seventh episode overall. It first aired on December 15, 1971 and was directed by Norman Lloyd. In addition to Peter Falk as Columbo, the episode stars Susan Clark, Richard Anderson and Leslie Nielsen. It also features the final screen performance of Jessie Royce Landis.

The titular Lady in Waiting is a timid woman who has finally had enough of her controlling older brother. When her plan to commit the perfect murder is scuppered by unforeseen events, she struggles to stay one step ahead of the dogged Lieutenant Columbo.

Cast[]

  • Susan Clark as Beth Chadwick, a downtrodden woman who shoots her domineering brother to death and hopes to frame the crime as a tragic accident.
  • Richard Anderson as Bryce Chadwick, Beth's tyrannical older brother who runs the family advertising agency. When he tries to interfere in her love life she decides to kill him.
  • Leslie Nielsen as Peter Hamilton, the company lawyer and Beth's current boyfriend. Bryce's attempt to break them up spurs Beth's murderous actions.
  • Jessie Royce Landis as Mrs. Chadwick, Beth and Bryce's mother who lives in Phoenix. She does not get along with her daughter.
  • Joel Fluellen as Charles, the Chadwick family manservant.
  • Garry Walberg and Richard Bull as detectives.
  • Fred Draper appears as a cab driver. He would go on to play minor roles in several subsequent Columbo episodes.
Columbo (season 1)
1."Murder by the Book" 2."Death Lends a Hand" 3."Dead Weight" 4."Suitable for Framing" 5."Lady in Waiting" 6."Short Fuse" 7."Blueprint for Murder"
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