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Columbo Crashes an Architecture Class to Solve a Case

Two middle-aged men in a classroom setting, dressed formally from the mid-20th century, engaged in conversation with chalkboards displaying academic text behind them.

This clip features Peter Falk as 'Columbo,' television's most beloved detective. Columbo crashes a college class to investigate a murder and confront the potential killer. The clip is from season 1, called 'Blueprint for Murder,' and it was the only one directed by Peter Falk himself.

A middle-aged man in a beige trench coat stands barefoot or wearing something not visible, surrounded by rows of beige chairs in an indoor auditorium setting with artificial lighting.

When a big-time architect murders a Texas millionaire, he hides the body to protect his new construction project. The murderer, Elliot Markham played by Patrick O'Neal, teaches at a university. Columbo sits in the back of the classroom to shake things up.

After class, he confronts Elliot and asks him a few leading questions in typical Columbo style. Elliot asks Columbo to answer his questions because he hasn't had any dinner. Columbo digs in his pocket, pulls out a small bag, and comically says, 'I can offer you some raisins.'

Adult male singer wearing beige trench coat in a classroom setting with older adult male in black pinstripe suit, suggesting an educational environment from the mid-20th century.

Columbo asks Elliot why the murder victim, Bo Williams was so mad at him that he smashed the plans for a new construction project he was financing. Elliot tells Columbo that he went ahead with the project without his permission with the support of Bo's wife.

Elliot is very calm about his answers and seems unflappable. He sticks to the story that Bo disappeared. Columbo tells him they found Bo's car at the airport, but he wasn't on any flight lists. His car was filled with country music cassettes, but his radio was tuned to a classical music station. Columbo asks, 'Why would a man who only ever listens to country music have his radio tuned into a classical station?'

A middle-aged man wearing a dark pinstriped suit jacket, white shirt, and patterned tie sits next to a young adult male in a light-colored trench coat indoors, possibly in an office or meeting room setting.

Columbo pauses and again comically asks, 'You want a half a candy bar?' Elliot refuses, and Columbo digs further, telling him that he noticed Elliot's classical music collection in his office. Elliot is trying to leave but turns to address Columbo by saying 'Guilty!' calmly claiming over 100,000 people in the city like classical music.

The killer is rattled, and he knows Columbo is hot on his trail! As the investigation proceeds, Columbo catches Elliot trying to hide the body and arrests him. TV's best detective cracks the case again with his humor and wit!