Happy Thanksgiving and Doctor Who Day!

First, I wanted to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving...and while you're at it, watch Doctor Who.

Especially since this weekend, I'll be working the Chicago TARDIS Charity Auction. If you want to donate, head to http://bit.ly/ChiTARDISAuction (be sure to note "Chicago TARDIS 2017" in the comments section)

Your Labor Day Present

For your viewing pleasure: a charming comedy short film about iPhone navigation called The Big Day.

(Video link provided by Gold Cap Films, the makers of Never Say Macbeth and Desperate Acts of Magic)

Mondays With Columbo: BY DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT/IDENTITY CRISIS

(Revised 12/21/2024)

Hard to believe that I haven't written a Columbo-themed blog post since late March....but now is a great time to make up for it. In the spirit of the Fourth of July, I thought I would review not one, but two Columbo episodes with similar themes (and that, in a strange way, relate to today's holiday) for our semi-regular Mondays with Columbo. 

(They're also notable for both featuring Patrick McGoohan, but I'm not sure that's coincidental)

Television in the late 1960s/early 1970s holds a strange fascination for me: part of it stems from being barely old enough to remember it, but other series often strived for "relevance" during a time when the greater culture was striving towards "law and order"...

Columbo tended to not be very "topical" per se, but allowed viewers to secretly relish certain personality and class types being put to the task. Usually, it was handled in terms of those with wealth and power. By Dawn's Early Light, produced for Columbo's fourth season, takes a similar tone but with a distinctively different character type.

Thanks to Harvey Herk's direction, By Dawn's Early Light is a very atmospheric, character-driven exploration of a man best described as "out of time".

Colonel Lyle C. Rumford (Patrick McGoohan) is the strict, by-the-book commandant of a boys' military academy. As the episode opens, we see him preparing a cannon shell. We soon learn that William Haynes, chairman of the academy's board, plans to convert the school into a more traditional, co-ed academy....and that the announcement will be made on Founder's Day.

After a tragic "accident", Columbo is called to the scene and the episode kicks into gear. Rather than the usual cat-and-mouse game with the murderer, there's an  unusual rhythm to McGoohan/Falk's interactions. McGoohan provides moments where his character shifts between full cooperation and total rationalization of actions. Rumford's actions are motivated less by out-thinking Columbo and more about stonewalling the detective. It makes for less overt conflict, but a more covert sense of desperation.

Yet, in watching the two actors, there's a sense of futility and loss. Rumford (McGoohan) didn't commit murder because he was greedy or angry....but because he couldn't stand change. It would have been very easy to make him an overt villian or a narrow-minded bigot, but McGoohan infuses Rumford with an inherent dignity even in the midst of his crisis.

This is definitely a must-watch; for another take on this episode, check out this episode of the Columbo Podcast.

And now, for Identity Crisis from Columbo's fifth season, which is also a very good episode...but probably not for the reasons you think.

The plot is simple: an advertising executive named Nelson Brenner (McGoohan) is really a domestic spy....and is acting as a double agent. When confronted by an operative (Leslie Nielsen), Brenner decides to isolate the operative and murder him, hoping to make it look like a mugging.

From there, as Columbo gets involved....well, the plot's a bit lacking. There's no really clear motivation for Brenner's actions, nor is there a solid through-line. Even the resolution and the "final clue" are a bit underwhelming.

What makes this work is the obvious glee that McGoohan shows in performance and in direction.

Granted, greater paranoia and distrust of the government and its agencies were prevalent in the culture of the time (1975), but there's an obvious fascination with the complexities of espionage that drives much of McGoohan's direction. Even moments between Columbo and the Director (David White, aka Larry Tate from Bewitched) that might have been played strictly for laughs have tension.

But it's McGoohan's performance - as well as his focus on the espionage game - that gives this Columbo episode a feel not unlike The Prisoner. It's not just McGoohan's constant repetition of "Be Seeing You"; it's Brenner's obvious pride in feeling one step ahead of Columbo. (Note the scene where Columbo confronts Brenner about having the phones tapped - watch it and tell me that McGoohan doesn't appear absolutely giddy at that thought).

Despite the rather meandering plot, Identity Crisis is an episode that simply sparkles despite its heavy subject matter.

(Want some other perspectives? Check out these episodes of Columbo Podcast and Just One More Thing)

Columbo: By Dawn's Early Light on Tubi

Columbo: Identity Crisis on Tubi

Some Pre-Father's Day Thoughts

To be completely honest, things have been....well, busy.

Busy enough that I wish it were more busy, because....

...well, Father's Day has been tough over the past several years - since Dad died. Part of it is that June is also his birth month, meaning that I get a double whammy of grief and sadness.

It's also tough because, for the last few years of his life, my father and I never talked. In fact, I was persona non grata for reasons known only to him.

And within the space of a few weeks ten years ago, we tried to reconnect....and he was gone. His death kick started my return to Chicago.

In a strange way, I miss him - even though we didn't get along most of the time, the things we did connect around were special: Sherlock Holmes, books, and a strange fascination with office supplies.

(No, really - in college, Dad had asked the what-do-you-need question most divorced fathers ask of their children. I suggested legal pads and highlighters. Two weeks later, I received an American Tourister suitcase full of highlighters and legal pads....and pens....and file folders....and file folder labels....and a portable cassette recorder. Seriously.)

But in that spirit, I want to offer probably the closest you can experience to my father: Stacy Keach's work on Titus. (Ironically, I've been deep diving into Christopher Titus' standup work and podcast...and it's been rather cathartic)

So if you need an explanation as to why I've not been as prolific this past week....here you go. And enjoy these Stacy Keach/Ken Titus "highlights" before they're pulled.

A Quote to Carry With You Tomorrow

Today's Thanksgiving

....and since I'll be AFK for dinner and Chicago TARDIS, some videos for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Your Hassle-Free July 4th Fireworks Display

Given that today will see a ton of fireworks displays (and in my neighborhood, it usually means the smell of burnt gunpowder on the morning of July 5th), I thought I would provide some vicarious fireworks for those of you choosing to stay at home.

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

A Special Easter Gift from Blog THIS, Pal!

Today is Easter - a time you celebrate either a high religious holiday....or get a bunch of candy. Or both.

Rather than the usual comic cover, or even a wacky message...enjoy the 13th Floor Elevators' second album, Easter Everywhere.

John Oliver's Pledge For Today

(Which I'm planning to follow, and so should you)

Merry Christmas From Blog THIS, Pal!

Although technically, yes, it's Christmas Eve, I wanted to send a message wishing anyone and everyone who comes across this blog a warm, wonderful holiday season!

The Blog THIS, Pal Cyber Monday Moment of Zen

As many of you know, today is #CyberMonday - it's one of the busiest shopping days, and focuses on Online merchants.

In an effort to help 1) ease some of the burden of online shopping, and 2) get a few extra pennies this holiday, I'm providing all of you access to an easy way to do your shopping.

As you can read in the blog's disclosure statement, we have an affiliate relationship with Amazon.com - if you order anything from our online store, or use the convenient search box below to order, we get a small percentage.

Not enough to fund, say, a devilish plot to conquer the world....but maybe just enough to wash and dry a load of laundry.

(And if you're not quite in the buying mood, consider #givingtuesday tomorrow - check out Salsa Labs for details....

Happy Turkey Day!

Yes, today is Thanksgiving - or, more commonly known, "Turkey Day".

As a very special treat on the blog - via YouTube - an annotated episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Enjoy!

Some 9/11 Thoughts Worth Repeating....

Like many of you, I had my thoughts about 9/11 in the past - and this three-year-old post reflects many of the the thoughts I had in this now-ten-year-old-post.

(I still can't believe I've been blogging for ten years....)

But all in all, I have to say that days like today remind me of where I was once, and where I need to go....

....and yes, tomorrow will bring a Robot of Sherwood review. Huzzah!

Happy July 4th, Everyone!

Taking some well-deserved personal time; have a great holiday weekend, everyone!

Your April Fool's Day Moment of Zen

Things are a bit busy at the moment - trust me, new comment will come tomorrow, but for today - April Fool's Day - a bunch of comedy videos.

Because we all could use a laugh.

Your Public Domain Thanksgiving Viewing

For those of you who - like me - are not football fans, here are some great Thanksgiving-themed vintage films for your viewing pleasure - enjoy!

Pre-Turkey Day Marathon

Thanks to the power of the Internet, you can enjoy the Thanksgiving activities of young people 20ish years ago, when they would gather round to watch reruns of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Ironically, I'm also planning an MST3K/Doctor Who meetup crossover event for next year. Details to follow.....

Happy Veteran's Day

What do Mal Reynolds, Zoe Washburn, both of my grandfathers, and personal pals Dave & Darcella all have in common?

Like many others, they're veterans, serving our country.

So today, on Veteran's Day, don't complain that I posted a picture of Firefly's cast in an effort to gain traffic.

Remember that others are out there, working hard and sacrificing, so that we can enjoy the freedom of complaining about our favorite tv shows.

Enjoy the holiday!

Your Labor Day Coffee Moment of Zen

First, a happy Labor Day to everyone on the Internet - since today is meant to be a day of relaxation and enjoyment, allow my humble contribution: a 3-part PBS documentary about coffee, best enjoyed with a large cup, either hot or iced.

Why Today Matters