Columbo: Strange Bedfellows (1995) Peter Falk, George Wendt, Jeff Yagher, Jay Acovone, Linda Gehringer Movie Review

Columbo: Strange Bedfellows (1995)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Peter Falk in Columbo: Strange Bedfellows (1995)

Columbo's of Mice and Men

Race horse owner Graham McVeigh (George Wendt) has had enough of his younger brother Teddy's (Jeff Yagher) gambling as well as the fact that bookie Bruno Romano (Jay Acovone) is owed a ton of money. So to kill two birds with one stone he first kills his own brother, making it look like Bruno did it over the outstanding debts and then invites Bruno to his home and murders him making it appear it was a case of self defence. But of course when Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk) starts his investigations he quickly becomes suspicious and suspects Graham guilty of both murders, it's just a case of how to prove it?

It hurts me to say this as I like George Wendt, he is so good when it comes to the humour of the every day guy on the street, the likeable guy but he can't do bad guy or at least not convincingly enough in "Columbo: Strange Bedfellows". And it is a shame because when it comes to the typically humorous banter of Columbo being chummy with his chief suspect Wendt and Falk work well together. It is just when Wendt has to turn Graham into a mean and sinister killer you just cannot believe him.

George Wendt in Columbo: Strange Bedfellows (1995)

Aside from the miscasting of George Wendt in "Columbo: Strange Bedfellows" the actual storyline is up there with some of the best as we have a double murder for Columbo to comically get his teeth in to whilst always having one more question after he has finished talking to someone. In fact with George Wendt for me being wrong it is very much Peter Falk's work as Columbo, bringing all those mannerisms to the storyline which makes its convoluted nature work and of course makes you smile in the knowing way Columbo talks to his suspect.

What this all boils down to is that "Columbo: Strange Bedfellows" is to be honest a regular "Columbo" when it comes to the made for TV movies which came in the 90s. But sadly for me this one suffers slightly because of a piece of miscasting when it comes to George Wendt. Although there is something which I haven't told you about "Columbo: Strange Bedfellows" which will certainly bring a big smile to your face involving a guest appearance.

Tags: Columbo


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