Just One More Thing: Murder Under Glass

Notes and screenshots for Murder Under Glass: Originally broadcast on date, starring [cast] and, of course, Peter Falk as Columbo.

"A local food critic who's been extorting money from a restaurant owner in exchange for good reviews murders the restaurateur after he threatens to expose him. Lieutenant Columbo must figure out how he was poisoned."

-IMDB Summary

"Restaurant critic, bunco artist, murderer- Paul Gerard (Louis Jourdan) is a triple threat! Chef Allan McPherson (picnichfx.com) joins us to discuss season seven’s “Murder Under Glass,” a tale of extortion, free meals and the deadly fugu. Also: Alan Alda’s half-brother, fancy cooking, Mako and Night Goliaths.

Here’s Allan’s review of “Murder Under Glass” that got this whole episode going."

-RJ's episode summary

Listen to the original podcast episode here:

Episode 49: Closed Mondays with our guest Allan McPherson.

Murder Under Glass

Season 7, Episode #2

Director: Jonathan Demme

Writer: Robert Van Scoyk

There’s so many loving shots of food in this episode, it’s practically like Hannibal. Except for the absence of stretched out corpses and wendigos, I guess.

Jonathan Demme directed this episode, and it’s got a whole different, natural feel than a lot of Columbo episodes. There’s a scene with a bank secretary sharing a coffee cake with Columbo that doesn’t feel like anyone knew it was being filmed. 

On a few occasions, like with the late season “Undercover,” for instance, where the story breaks from Columbo’s usual pattern and feels like a whole different show. This episode breaks from Columbo’s usual pattern but still feels like Columbo all the way through. 

The food plays a character in this episode, even if it’s a background character. It’s most likely an intentional juxtaposition - the meticulous presentation of food which was the hallmark of 70s haute cuisine mirrors Columbo’s own meticulous process of detection, and he enjoys both with gusto. 

Next episode: Make Me a Perfect Murder