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Columbo

Lady in Waiting

Season 1, Episode 7, Aired Dec 15, 1971

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7.9

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Beth Chadwick is tired of her brother Bryce running her life. The last straw is when he threatens to break up her romance with Peter Hamilton, a company lawyer. Beth lays a trap for Bryce and shoots him, claiming that she thought he was a prowler. By stealing his house key, she plans for him to try to enter through her bedroom French doors. But when Bryce shows up after using a spare key, she is forced to improvise. The coroner's inquest backs up her story, but for Columbo, too many little things do not add up. If Bryce had to walk around the house to get to the doors, why are there no grass stains on his shoes? If Beth never went out the day of the murder, how did a late edition of the newspaper end up in the front hall? But when a witness remembers hearing gunshots before an alarm, Columbo figures it all out.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Susan Clark

Beth Chadwick
GUEST STAR
Jessie Royce Landis

Mother Chadwick
GUEST STAR
Richard Anderson

Bryce Chadwick

Peter Falk

Lieutenant Columbo

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8.5

"Great"

By LAntichristo, Jul 21, 2006

Susan Clark plays an excellent murderess in this movie, stifled and controlled by her brother who manages the family business and the money. Her plan to break free of his control and take over the business herself is well worked out and seems foolproof, but one miscalculation leaves her having to improvise her way out one problem after another. Leslie Nielsen, as her lawyer boyfriend, turns in a fine performance, as he plays a sensible, serious role with humour but without the manic quality that has come to be his trademark. Peter Falk's Columbo does a good job worrying and nibbling at the truth, forcing the killer to come up with more lies and explanations, until the contradictions close in on her and she is caught. The viewer finds himself sympathizing with the murderer at the beginning, but her growing confidence and arrogance as she reaps the fruits of her crime succeed in making her downfall a satisfying one.moreless
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TRIVIA (1)
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- As Beth is waiting for Bryce to enter the room, she opens a box of chocolates. She picks up one chocolate, the camera pans away and when it comes back there are five wrappers on the bed beside the box.
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QUOTES (2)
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- Columbo: Ma'am, about that eleven dollars... Mrs. Chadwick: Of course. Leave one of your business cards and I'll send you a check. Columbo: I'm all out of cards... (Mrs. Chadwick looks at him for a moment, then hands him $11 from her purse) Columbo: Thank you, ma'am.
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- Mrs. Chadwick: You! Bring in my bags and pay the cab. Cab Driver: There's ten fifty on that meter. (Columbo fumbles in his pockets and comes up with his wallet) Columbo: All I have is eleven dollars...go ahead and keep it all. Cab Driver: (sarcastic) You're a sport.
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NOTES (2)
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- Leslie Nielsen is credited as Special Guest Star.
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- 90 minutes long.
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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