Clumsy insertion of stock footage
wife blackmailing him to continue
homemade parachute
Aside from a few minor complaints (the use of clumsily inserted stock footage at the beginning and the overuse of the song "I Saw the Light"), this is a very good episode of "Columbo" and features a very likable murderer!
When the story begins, Tommy Brown (Johnny Cash) is completing yet another successful concert. However, despite his gospel music, he's a very earthy man and we soon discover this when his wife (Ida Lupino) confronts him. What had he done? Oh, not much....just statutory rape! Then, to hide this crime, he concocts a very elaborate plane crash which kills both the victim and Tommy's wife. Can Columbo figure out that there's more to the crash than meets the eye?
Johnny Cash was a good actor and through the 1960s and 70s, he did quite a bit of acting. In this case, he managed to make his evil character seem a bit nice....rather likable in fact. And, not surprisingly, Columbo seems to like him as well....though, as you must remember, murder isn't a very nice thing to do! Overall, well written, acted and a nice finale.