NBC SUNDAY MYSTERY MOVIE: COLUMBO: IDENTITY CRISIS (TV)

Summary

One in this series of police dramas in which Los Angeles homicide detective Lt. Columbo's unassuming manner masks his keen intelligence and sharp investigative abilities. n this episode -- directed by and guest-starring Patrick McGoohan -- government secret agent Nelson Brenner lures agent Al "Geronimo" Henderson to the beach beneath the Santa Monica piers. Brenner has told Geronimo to meet a spy there named Steinmetz, from whom he is to get some valuable microfilm. It is Brenner, however, who meets Geronimo, and kills him with a tire iron. Later, Columbo arrives on the scene of this apparent mugging murder and begins to untangle the complex web of lies and false identities surrounding the two agents. Learning that the victim had last been seen with Nelson Brenner, whose public identity is as a wealthy business consultant and speech writer, Columbo pays several visits to the man's home, and Brenner is intrigued by Columbo's intellect. Later, the mysterious Steinmetz meets with Melville, a man he has hired as a go-between with the CIA. Steinmetz orders Melville to deliver his car to a certain address, but as Melville takes off on his mission, the car explodes. Surviving the explosion, Melville confesses to the police about his courier work for the elderly, bearded spy. Later, Columbo receives a surprise visit from none other than the director of the CIA, who reveals to him that Brenner is a special agent, as was the victim, and assures Columbo that any inconsistencies in Brenner's story result from his efforts to protect the agency. He admits, however, that the agency has been unable to ascertain Steinmetz's identity. Later, Brenner invites Columbo up to his house for a drink and reveals that Columbo has been under surveillance. Columbo becomes very interested in a photograph on Brenner's wall, which ultimately becomes a key to solving the mystery. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

NETWORK: NBC
DATE: November 2, 1975 9:00 PM
RUNNING TIME: 1:50:49
COLOR/B&W: Color
CATALOG ID: T80:0014
GENRE: Drama, police/private detective
SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, police/private detective
SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1968-1978; ABC - 1989-2003
COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Alpo dog food
- TV - Commercials - Anacin Arthritis Pain Formula medication
- TV - Commercials - Bic lighters
- TV - Commercials - Budweiser beer
- TV - Commercials - Bufferin aspirin
- TV - Commercials - Chevrolet Chevette automobile
- TV - Commercials - Chevy Blazer automobile
- TV - Commercials - Chrysler New Yorker automobile
- TV - Commercials - Chun King chicken chow mein
- TV - Commercials - FTD Green Ribbon plants
- TV - Commercials - Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Log Cabin syrup
- TV - Commercials - Master Charge credit card
- TV - Commercials - Max Factor Super Lash Maker mascara
- TV - Commercials - Primatene Mist and tablets asthma relievers
- TV - Commercials - Quaker State motor oil
- TV - Commercials - The Phillips Petroleum Company
- TV - Commercials - Ultra Ban anti-perspirant
- TV - Promos - "NBC Sunday Mystery Movie: McMillan & Wife"

CREDITS

Everett Chambers … Producer
Patrick McGoohan … Director
Richard Levinson … Created by
William Link … Created by
Bill Driskill … Writer
Bernardo Segall … Music by
Henry Mancini … Theme Music by
Peter Falk … Cast, Lt. Columbo
Patrick McGoohan … Cast, Nelson Brenner
Leslie Nielsen … Cast, A.J. "Geronimo" Henderson
Otis Young … Cast, Lawrence Melville
Val Avery … Cast, Louie the Bartender
David White … Cast, Phil Corrigan (the Director)
Bruce Kirby … Cast, Sergeant Kramer
Vito Scotti … Cast, Salvatore Defonte
Barbara Rhoades … Cast, Joyce
William Mims … Cast, the Gallery Attendant
Carmen Argenziano … Cast, Coroner Anderson
Cliff Carnell … Cast, the Photo Shop Man
Edward Bach … Cast, the Executive
Paul Gleason … Cast, Parsons
Angela May … Cast, Ruth
Betty McGuire … Cast, Della
Kelly Flynn … Cast, the Bellboy
Alicia Chambers … Cast, the Kid