Jack Cassidy’s Killer Trio From ‘Columbo’

Peter Falk & Jack Cassidy went head to head in three episodes of "Columbo."

I’ve always been fond of Columbo and the “mystery movie” series was one of my first go-to nostalgia binges during the Covid era. Funny thing, as much as I loved Peter Falk as an actor, I was never crazy about Columbo as a character. The reason I still find Columbo so watchable decades later is for the great plots and guest villains. Columbo’s killers came in two categories: those who found the detective’s persistence irritating, and the others who were charmed by his dogged ways. I’m with the first category, but still love the show!

When Jack Cassidy's "Columbo" villain offers victims champagne, real pain follows!

Columbo often invited favorite guest villains back for encore performances. One frequent flier star was Jack Cassidy. With three guest shots, Jack Cassidy was a classic Columbo killer. Jack’s villains were smart, supercilious, and elegantly sinister. And yes, all three of Cassidy’s killers found Lt. Columbo nerve-grating!

The first aired "Columbo"episode is one of the best, directed by Steven Spielberg.

Steven Spielberg, then 24, got on well with "Columbo" star Peter Falk.

Jack Cassidy's first appearance as a guest villain on Columbo aired Sept. 15, 1971. This was Columbo’s debut as a NBC series, though “Murder by the Book” wasn’t filmed first. The episode was considered so smart that it should kick off the show. Young Steven Spielberg and Steve Bochno directed and wrote the episode, which had much to do with the fresh take on the familiar detective trope.

Martin Milner of "Adam 12" is guest victim to Jack Cassidy's villain in "Columbo."

Martin Milner, in the midst of his successful Adam 12 series at NBC, plays the guest victim. These stars seemed to get the short end of the stick, but Columbo was a very popular series, so it was probably an easy gig for great exposure.

Cassidy and Milner’s characters are a money-making mystery writing team. As Jim Ferris, Milner’s writer does most of the actual work, and wants to strike off on his own; Cassidy's Ken Franklin is the smoothie who does most of the media promotion. Franklin lives high on the hog and does not take kindly to the professional divorce. Ken also has a big insurance policy on Jim, and decides to cash in, by killing his former cash cow.

Jack Cassidy's stylish killer works the media & bell bottoms with buttons up the calves' sides!

Ken lures Jim to his rustic getaway for one last hurrah together. He previously trashed their LA office to make it look like violence had occurred. Ken shoots Jim and dumps the body on Franklin’s own lawn, to appear like a hit job.

One problem: the gal who runs the local store by his "cabin" saw Jim in Ken's car. But the real problem for Ken is that Columbo is on this case and that means constantly on his ass!

Jack Cassidy, stylishly directed by Steven Spielberg, in his first "Columbo" guest shot.

This episode was one of Steven Spielberg's last TV series gigs and it's terrific: tightly wound, with subtle notes of style. I love the opening shot of the writers' office windows and their great view, as Cassidy pulls up outside, accompanied by the sound of a typewriter—remember those? How about smarmy Cassidy's car, with its "Have a nice day" bumper sticker? Spielberg’s camera angles for Cassidy’s duplicitous murderer make the audience feel they are seeing his hidden side.

With two previous pilots behind him, Peter Falk eases into his Lt. Columbo role and would continue refine the character as the show went on. Falk especially shines opposite smooth criminal Jack Cassidy, with his bumbling demeanor, and theirs becomes a sly duel of wits. 

Barbara Colby, memorable as a storekeeper with a crush on Jack Cassidy & his cash!

Barbara Colby is a standout as Lilly La Sanka, the blackmailing storekeeper who's in way over her head. Colby was an actress who was a quirky standout in the '70s, an era when performers could look like real people. Despite her questionable actions, Colby makes her Lilly sympathetic, funny, and sexy. Sadly, Barbara Colby was a real-life murder victim four years later, when she and actor/boyfriend James Kiernan were randomly shot in a parking garage July 24, 1975. Colby was a regular on Cloris Leachman’s Phyllis and had just turned 36.

Jack Cassidy's real life personality and persona parallels his portrayals as suave criminals. Money always was a motive. The murders were meticulously plotted. As Ken Franklin, he's coasting, not contributing, but seeks revenge when the real talent decides to break away. With Cassidy’s piercing pale blue eyes, aristocratic profile, flashy smile, and cultured voice, Jack reminds me of WB star Zachary Scott and all the cultured cads he used to play.

Jack Cassidy, turning on the charm as "Columbo" guest killer Ken Franklin.

In real life, Jack was hard living, a heavy drinker and smoker, and a party animal. As Ken, he's constantly got a smoke going, and it's a bit of a surprise that Jack was only 44. Or to put it in context, Jack was just two years younger than Paul Newman. Still, Cassidy's handsome and on his acting game here. He gives subtle variations of the elegant villain he plays on Columbo. Here, Ken Franklin’s phony plays the press like a violin and he is also a ladies’ man.

Jack Cassidy's second "Columbo" guest star role finds him again in the book business.

For Jack Cassidy's second Columbo outing, 1974’s “Publish or Perish,” he is a publisher rather than a writer. Yet, it's again the case of a writer wanting to part ways with him that incurs Cassidy’s character's greedy wrath.

Riley Greenleaf, homage to The Talented Mr. Ripley's Dickie Greenleaf, is a publisher about to lose a successful writer that he discovered. Like the previous episode, Cassidy's character has taken out a massive insurance policy on his golden goose. Greenleaf hires a creepy Vietnam vet with a passion for explosives to take writer Alan Mallory out... and not for dinner. Wily Riley creates an excellent alibi for himself by going on bender, creating public scenes, getting into a fender bender, and finally getting arrested as drunk and disorderly. The overly-planned murder takes place, but a few tell-tale twists of fate screw up the scenario. This raises Columbo's suspicions and the match between criminal and cop is on.

Jack Cassidy's Riley Greenleaf consorts with a killer in "Columbo's" "Publish or Perish."

Columbo was filled with in-jokes, and one is when Columbo meets Greenleaf’s rival publisher at the famed Chasen’s eatery. Columbo is chagrined at a menu with no prices, and asks for a bowl of chili. The snooty old waiter is horrified, natch, but rustles some up. This is funny because Chasen’s chili was renowned, a favorite of Elizabeth Taylor, who had it flown in to the set of Cleopatra in Italy. Columbo is in disbelief when a bowl of chili and glass of ice tea sets him back $6.75. He points out during the series, as a detective, Columbo makes $11,000 a year. We're talking nearly 50 years ago, folks!

While Columbo is at the crime scene, he rambles on about topics with no relation to the crime scene, often relating to his wife. Here, he talks about how Mrs. Columbo kept him up to watch a Bette Davis movie on the late show. He goes on about what a great actress Davis was—Falk got a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination, co-starring with Bette in '61's A Pocket Full of Miracles. 

Mickey Spillane, killed in a chocolate brown leisure suit, as "Columbo" guest victim!

Some fun '70s visual style goes on in “Publish or Perish.” The first murder is depicted with three split screens: the killer-for-hire; the victim at work; and mastermind Riley enacting his alcohol-fueled alibi. The fashion style finds Cassidy’s villain sporting lots of turtle necks, while the writer, played by Mickey Spillane, sports a chocolate brown leisure suit! Mariette Hartley is a total '70s babe with flowing Cher hair, a slinky braless jersey gown, and a red California western girl look at Chasen’s, complete with a red cowboy hat.

Mariette Hartley looking '70s sexy in the "Columbo" episode "Publish or Perish."

John Chandler always played psychos that creeped me out as a kid, who is killer Eddie Kane here. Apparently in real life, Chandler came from a wealthy family, studied acting, and was a yoga enthusiast! All this, despite the fact he looks like Steve Buscemi, Sr. His character Eddie reminds me of the gruff vet that Seinfeld’s Elaine hires to write the Peterman catalogue. Side note: In his first two appearances, Cassidy's characters ply with fine champagne, before inflicting fatal pain on their secondary victims.

John Chandler, TV boomer villain, looks like Steve Buscemi, Sr. in "Publish or "Perish."

Chandler's "Columbo" killer/victim reminds me of this "Seinfeld" weirdo!

Paul Shenar is very handsome and no-nonsense as Sgt. Young, who works with Columbo. Fans will remember him as the evil drug lord in Scarface. Mickey Spillane is surprisingly relaxed and engaging as the pulp author who wants to take his writing to the next level, and with a new publisher.

Handsome Paul Shenar played a fellow detective in "Columbo's" "Publish or Perish."

That '70s guy Jack Bender looks like a cuter Stuart from "The Big Bang Theory!"

Sad sack Stuart from "The Big Bang Theory."

Jack Bender as Wolpert, the guy who delivers the writing is a total ‘70s guy, with his curly fro, big brown eyes, and stylish '70s shirts. He reminds me of a better-looking Stuart from The Big Bang Theory. Ironically, he went on to become a prolific TV director, including a TV bio of The David Cassidy Story!

Jack Cassidy's Riley Greenleaf sets up his "drunk" alibi & insults a few strangers, too.

Ironically, Jack Cassidy later repeated Riley Greenleaf's fake bender later for real, on December 12, 1976. Cassidy tried to get friends to join him for a night out, but settled for barhopping through West Hollywood. When Jack returned home, he passed out with a lit cigarette, and died in the subsequent fire.

Jack Cassidy's finale as a "Columbo" guest killer cast him as a magician.

Jack Cassidy’s final Columbo appearance was in “Now You See Him.” Cassidy plays “The Great Santini,” a magician who wants to make his blackmailer boss disappear. This episode aired February of 1976, the year Cassidy died.

"The Great Santini" VS "The Great Columbo" in "Now You See Him."

This episode was directed by Harvey Hart, a prolific TV director who was good with actors. Nehemiah Persoff is the sweaty and surly restaurant club owner who blackmails his star attraction when he discovers his Nazi past. Persoff projects such an animalistic antagonism that you actually feel bad for the magician was an SS prison guard as a young man. Robert Loggia is the tough head waiter, who seems more suited as a bouncer. Bob Dishy is rather grating than ingratiating as the dogged younger detective who’s always at Columbo’s heels. Except for old-school Cassidy, Loggia and the rest of the middle-aged males all sport that shaggy hair to try and look like the young ‘70s dudes.

Nehemiah Persoff is a great "Columbo"guest villain/victim as the blackmailer boss.

It was an era of less viewer repeat options, but I’m still puzzled as to why Columbo had the same actors as guest stars multiple times. As memorable as they are, stars like Jack Cassidy and Robert Culp played the same superior, snide, and impatient characters. And while Columbo had some golden era guests like Janet Leigh and Anne Baxter, I’d love to have seen some greats like Crawford, Davis, Natalie Wood, Edward G. Robinson, Tony Curtis, or Henry Fonda, to name a few that were doing television at this point.

Jack Cassidy is "The Great Santini" in disguise; this "Columbo" is "Now You See Him."

As The Great Santini, Jack Cassidy’s character is a bit more empathetic, since he is the victim of blackmail. When it’s apparent that his boss wants more than a pound of flesh, Cassidy’s illusionist feels he has no other option than to kill. The magician conjures up an incredibly convoluted plot to off the boss during his act, and also provide himself an alibi. While ingenious, it’s also a bit of an eye roll. When Columbo comes to investigate, the alibi makes it even more of a challenge for the detective. By this point, Falk is well into his run as Columbo, and his dumb like a fox routine is fully polished, especially against Cassidy’s master illusionist.

A Jack Cassidy villain with an ascot, natch. In his final "Columbo" ep., Jack was 49.

Cassidy’s grace and style make him quite believable as the magic man. While The Great Santini is just as impatient and perturbed by the persistent Lt. Columbo, he’s also a bit melancholy, which Cassidy conveys effortlessly.

Jack Cassidy’s style suggested a different era, with his dapper looks and style, in the laid-back ‘70s. In fact, his style was so studio era classic that Cassidy was called upon to play John Barrymore in 1976’s W.C. Fields and Me. Even Jack’s appearances on Columbo found the actor elegant in an array of turtlenecks and ascots, leather, hound tooth, or corduroy jackets, and even his bell bottoms were creased and in one case, adorned with buttons.

Jack Cassidy’s villains were all smiling charm and confidence on the outside, but threatened with having it all taken away. While similar, Jack’s killers were given Cassidy’s considerable charisma and talent as an actor.

If there had been a "Mildred Pierce" remake in the '70s, Jack Cassidy would have been perfect
as Mildred's playboy Monty!

Here’s my look at Faye Dunaway’s Emmy-winning turn on Columbo: https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2020/07/faye-falk-are-flirtatious-fun-in.html

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