this be the columbo that get direct by steven spielberg at an early point in his career . it nothing sensational but some small hint of great thing to come for spielberg can be see in this movie . the movie be basically in the same style a most of spierlberg 70 movie and tv work . so that mean that some character tend to show some quirkiness and no i be not just talk about the columbo character alone . the kind of character quirkiness which perhaps can be best see in the 1975 spielberg movie jaw . but other than some small hint of typical early spielberg element and you can not call this movie the work of and fine example of a rise director star . not that it bad and of course it isn not but a i say earlier and it also isn not anything too sensational . this movie begin really well and very promising but after it fine opening and in which a always the murder occur and the movie become sort of more slow and also dull to watch . dull because it mostly a columbo movie by the book that doesn not have real memorable moment in it and not dull because it a boring movie to watch . the murder itself be quite ingenious and the concept of have a crime story writer murder his writing partner show some great and interesting potential . the story however do not really explore all of it possibility . at least that the feeling this movie leave me with . the movie be still a good one to watch nevertheless thanks to the character of jack cassidy and who think he smarter then columbo and due to his mystery or crime writing experience and try to give him all kind of possible hint and lead away from himself . but of course columbo know well and he be his number one suspect from the first moment on but he as usual play the game along . the movie do have a good overall style and use some fine camera position and editing . funny to see that also most of this be all mostly consistent with spielberg later work and especially some of the camera angle . a fine and perfectly watchable columbo movie but do not let the name of spielberg attach to it rise your expectation for it too highly . positive .