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Score: 8.5 Great 19 votes

Identity Crisis

Episode Number: 34    Season Num: 5    First Aired: Sunday November 2, 1975    Prod Code: n/a
A spy is killed on a lonely beach by his contact
but the killer has been photographed beforehand walking with the victim.

Cast and Crew

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Writer: William Driskill
Director: Patrick McGoohan
Star: Peter Falk (Lieutenant Columbo (no first name))
Recurring Role: Bruce Kirby (George Kramer),  Vito Scotti (Salvatore Defonte)
Guest Star: Patrick McGoohan (Nelson Brenner),  Leslie Nielsen (Geronimo/A.J. Henderson),  Val Avery (Louie),  David White (Phil Corrigan),  Otis Young (Lawrence Melville),  Barbara Rhoades (Joyce),  William Mims (Gallery Attendant),  Carmen Argenziano (Coroner Cliff Anderson),  Cliff Carnell (Don),  Edward Bach (Executive),  Paul Gleason (Parsons),  Angela May (Ruth),  Betty McGuire (Della)

Notes

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This is the second of two appearances on Columbo by actor Leslie Nielsen. His first appearance was in Season One's "Lady In Waiting". (edit)
This is the first of five episodes of the series directed by Patrick McGoohan. (edit)
Actor Vito Scotti appears _six_ times in Columbo series: ep. 19 "Any Old Port in a Storm" (Maitre d'), ep. 20 "Candidate for Crime" (Mr. Chadwick, a taylor), ep. 24 "Swan Song" (Mr. Grindell); ep. 27 "Negative Reaction" (Thomas Dolan, a drunk), ep. 34 "Identity Crisis" (Salvatore Defonte), and ep. 50 "Murder, a Self Portrait" (Vito). (edit)
When the "Director" Phil Corrigan flashes his badge it clearly states that he is Phil Corrigan, Agent X-9, which of course is the comics Agent of the 1930's (and on).
/Tony Fischier (edit)
Throughout this episode, Patrick McGoohan (Nelson Brenner) uses the phrase "be seeing you" whenever he leaves a room. This was the standard phrase used by everyone in The Village in McGoohan's cult classic series The Prisoner. During one scene, he wears an outfit almost identical to the standard costume he wore in the earlier series. (edit)

Quotes

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Columbo: What do you have to do to win one of those?
Shooting Gallery Operator: Hit the ducks ten in a row.
Columbo: My wife would go for one of those.
Shooting Gallery Operator: No way, Lieutenant! You're a pro...
Columbo: Ah, forget about it. If I'm standing on the dock I couldn't hit the water. (edit)
Nelson Brenner: Lieutenant. I think I should warn you that I'm not an unworldly man. I have powerful important friends, even in the police department. I respectfully request that you do not harass me.

Columbo: Why sir, I would NEVER do that. (edit)
Columbo: Just between us, sir...

Brenner: Um-uh.

Columbo: Somebody's following me.

Brenner: Now who would be following a cop?

Columbo: That's what I'm trying to figure out. Can't be the collection company. The car's paid for. (edit)
Brenner: What would you like in the way of libation?

Columbo: Oh, nothing when I'm on duty.

Brenner: But you're finished for the day, aren't you?

Columbo: Well, nearly, sir. Do you have any wine?

Brenner: A cellar full

Columbo: Just a glass.

Brenner: What kind would you like?

Columbo: Oooh, red. (edit)

Trivia

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Nelson Brenner's alter-ego "Steinmetz", borrows both name and appearance from the German-American electrical engineer Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865-1923). Steinmetz had the reputation of being something of a "mad scientist", although in reality, contributed a great deal to the practical use of electricity.
(edit)

Allusions

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Community Reviews (2)

 
9.5
Superb
Identity Crisis
"Pivotal"
McGoohan is back!
Continue » Posted Feb 26, 2007 8:17 am PST

LAntichristo
Report Abuse 2 users agree
with this review
9.6
Superb
Identity Crisis
"Series classic"
Spoilers
Continue » Posted Jul 24, 2006 4:28 am PST
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Episode Vital Stats

 
Episode: Identity Crisis
Season Number: 5
Episode Reviews: 2
Episode
Score:
8.5 Great 19 votes
Rating Statistics:
superb: 6 (31.6%)
great: 6 (31.6%)
fair: 3 (15.8%)
perfect: 2 (10.5%)
Other: 2 (10.5%)
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