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Playback is the fifth episode of the fourth season of Columbo and the thirtieth episode overall. It first aired on March 2, 1975 and was directed by Bernard Kowalski. In addition to Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo, the episode stars Oskar Werner, Gena Rowlands and Martha Scott.

In Playback, a genius inventor uses an array of gadgets to help give him an airtight alibi for the murder of his mother-in-law.

Cast[]

  • Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo.
  • Oskar Werner as Harold Van Wick, a technology obsessed inventor and the President of Midas Electronics who moonlights as a serial philanderer. When Margaret threatens his position, he uses his advance knowledge of gadgetry to assist him in her murder.
  • Gena Rowlands as Elizabeth Van Wick, Harold's wheelchair-bound wife. After she lost the use of her legs in a car accident, Harold turned their home into a technological paradise in order to accommodate her. She appears blissfully unaware of her husband's womanizing ways.
  • Martha Scott as Margaret Midas, Harold's beastly mother-in-law. She tries to blackmail him into giving up his position as head of Midas Electronics, but it's a position he's ready to kill for.
  • Robert Brown as Arthur Midas, Margaret's son, Elizabeth's brother and Harold's brother-in-law. Margaret intends for him to replace Harold as head honcho at Midas Electronics.
  • Herbert Jefferson Jr. as Baxter, the Van Wick residence's security guard.
  • Patricia Barry as Francine, the prudish curator of the art exhibit.
  • Trisha Noble as Marcy Hubbard, Harold's next conquest who he uses to establish his alibi, flashing his high-tech watch to her upon his arrival to the art show.
  • Steven Marlo as Officer Banks and an unknown actor as Sergeant Bronson.
Columbo (season 4)
1."An Exercise in Fatality" 2."Negative Reaction" 3."By Dawn's Early Light" 4."Troubled Waters" 5."Playback" 6."A Deadly State of Mind"
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