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Who Better in "An Exercise in Fatality" as the Killer But Robert Conrad? NOBODY

posted 7 years ago by ecarle (14979)
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"An Exercise in Fatality" is one of my favorite Columbos. His matched opponent is rich, yes...but not particularly elegant or effete. The guy is a superfit health club chain owner...based pretty much on Jack LaLanne of the time, but younger and more handsome.

Who else but Robert Conrad?

I wonder if, when this story idea was pitched for script, ONLY Robert Conrad's name came up, and he was offered the role first.

As one of the spy show heroes of the 60's, Conrad was muscular and ripped in a way that Robert Vaughn(The Man From UNCLE) and Robert Culp (I Spy) were not. And all three Roberts were Columbo villains. But neither Vaughn nor Culp could have played Milo Janus.

Wracking my mind for a substitute, for some reason I could only come up with Chad Everett(Medical Center). And he wasn't BUFF like Bob Conrad. Burt Reynolds would have been great -- but he was a movie star by '75.

All the shirtless scenes. The push-ups. The boxing bag work-out(Conrad was once a boxer.) Only Conrad.

But wait, there's more: Conrad could really ACT, and Milo Janus' cocky self-confidence and preacher-like belief in fitness("fresh air, exercise, and diet") make him a formidable physical AND mental opponent to Columbo. Conrad looked great and acted mean in "An Exercise in Fatality."

A one of a kind villain.

[–] dolemite72 (150) 7 years ago

I know a lot of die-hard Columbo fans rag on this episode (due to the contrivances concerning 'shoelaces' etc) but this has always been my favourite episode. Conrad was a great combination of brains and brawn (although *obviously* not as smart as Columbo) and I dig the Milo Janus health-club jingle that also plays over the end credits

[–] [email protected] (5871) 7 years ago

One of my very favorite episodes! Robert Conrad was just perfect in this one. So totally fit and gorgeous. His fitness regime was so interesting in its total opposition to Columbo's chili and cigars lifestyle.

Columbo, living in southern California but disdaining the beach is funny, " I don't even like a deep tub." lol

One of those episodes where Columbo really gets angry and shows it. He reveals his disgust with Milo Janus and lets him know that he is on to him and WILL get him!

Milo was so coldhearted and cruel that Columbo temporarily lost his cool.

An interesting look at the seventies when a hospital visitor could light up a cigar in the waiting room!

One of the best, wittiest and tightest scripts.

[–] ecarle (14979) 7 years ago

One of my very favorite episodes! Robert Conrad was just perfect in this one. So totally fit and gorgeous. His fitness regime was so interesting in its total opposition to Columbo's chili and cigars lifestyle.

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I love the bit where, after their mutual " beach run," the director lets Falk just sit there trying to catch his breath for a full minute or so before the dialogue can begin. And Janus isn't winded at all. Very real. Very funny.

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Columbo, living in southern California but disdaining the beach is funny, " I don't even like a deep tub." lol

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Columbo is a "living counterpoint" to all things Southern Califiornia and Los Angeles. He's a fish out of water.

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One of those episodes where Columbo really gets angry and shows it. He reveals his disgust with Milo Janus and lets him know that he is on to him and WILL get him!

Milo was so coldhearted and cruel that Columbo temporarily lost his cool.

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This is a famous moment. I"ve read that Falk wanted to get angry more times as Columbo, but the producers wouldn't let him. Here and with Leonard Nimoy, mainly.

Though sometimes he would sternly let on with a suspect he hated that he was gonna get him. The 70s one with George Hamilton:

Hamilton: You still consider me a suspect?
Columbo: Oh, I think the word I would use is stronger than that. (Columbo is angry that Hamilton has committed a SECOND murder during the investigation, of a nice woman.)

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An interesting look at the seventies when a hospital visitor could light up a cigar in the waiting room!

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Ha. All these shows are time capsules. No cell phones, no e-mails.

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One of the best, wittiest and tightest scripts.

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Agreed. Great support by Colin Wilcox as Stafford's estranged wife, too. A bit of an alcoholic, but with a warm heart and a sharp mind. She loved her husband.

[–] ecarle (14979) 7 years ago

I know a lot of die-hard Columbo fans rag on this episode (due to the contrivances concerning 'shoelaces' etc)

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I thought the shoelaces bit was quite educational, actually. "I never thought about it." And we all tie our shoes, so we get sucked into the discussion. Janus doesn't acquiesce at the end, but Columbo seems to have enough to make the case. As we know, Columbo often didn't have enough to win at trial...but this is a fantasy show of sorts. All those rich killers?

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but this has always been my favourite episode.

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Certainly one of mine. The clincher is Robert Conrad, so tough and macho as a good guy on "Wild Wild West" and here acting on the menace he projected EVEN AS a good guy. James West was a killer,too. Note in passing: Ross Martin, Conrad's sidekick on Wild Wild West, had earlier been a killer on Columbo -- and Martin had been an acting teacher of Peter '! Speaking of TV series pairs and Columbo: Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock each played a Columbo villain. As did Napoleon Solo(Robert Vaughn.) As did well -- whoever Robert Culp played on I Spy.

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[–] ecarle (14979) 7 years ago

Conrad was a great combination of brains and brawn (although *obviously* not as smart as Columbo)

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He was pretty smart, though. It was a pretty good plan...and required Milo to "act" with his party guests about talking to Gene.

Every Columbo is a "variation on the same theme," and I like how Janus challenges Columbo early on:

Janus: Can I ask YOU a question?
Columbo: Sure?
Janus: Why are you here?
Columbo: What do you mean?
Janus: I mean...WHY...are...you...here? The evidence shows that Gene Stafford died from an accident...so why are you digging into me with questions like this?

A key Columbo killer move: act like you're not scared.

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and I dig the Milo Janus health-club jingle that also plays over the end credits

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A delightful gag. The full tune when we had only heard snippets. And its so "cute" -- it clashes with Robert Conrad's macho tough guy persona.

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This episode is also famous for one of the most clueless murder victims: Gene Stafford, who keeps confronting Janus over and over and over about how he's "almost got the goods on you, I'm going to put you away for good, I'll never stop."

All this while alone with Janus.

Its like Stafford is wearing a sign that says "kill me."

But I suppose most victims never understand how a business opponent is capable of murder.