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From the beginning I wanted Lt. Columbo among the detectives on my layout but finding a model of  his car ('59 Peugeot 403 convertible) proved impossible.  So I bought a Peugeot panel van with the right shape from the windscreen forward (inset) and over the past several months bashed/modified the vehicle from there backward into a reasonable facsimile.  Finishing it seemed a perfect small project while I watched the Macy's parade and waited for the Thanksgiving feast this afternoon.  

 

So here he is, detective #56 on the layout, investigating the theft of the Thanksgiving turkey for the Creedence Clearwater Brewery employee banquet.  He still has to investigate a bit, including looking out the back door, but is pretty sure already the culprit is the old man down the road. 

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Based on feedback here I am going to re-do the Columbo figure - to be frank, I wasn't totally pleased with him  - so I will re-do him so he is scratching his forehead and he does have a cigar.  Also, although it added a bit of mass to the figure's head before painting it, this figure does not have enough hair.  Particularly in the first few season, Falk had a lot of hair. 

 

Next up, by the way: I bought the Woodland Scenics Emporium at the same time as the door factory.  I have already removed the display windows and will convert it to a resort hotel on the other end of the lake.  Current plan is to call it the Hotel California - I can't think of a better name: I like the Eagles a lot but was never that keen on the song, but I don't want Heartbreak Hotel or any other rock-enspired hotel, nor do I want to use the old saw: M. T. Arms Hotel, etc.  So I'll do an eagles nest in the trees nearby, and mirrors on the ceiling, pink champagne on ice, folks dancing in a courtyard, and a Mercedes at the bend of the driveway, etc., etc. 

Originally Posted by Dominic Mazoch:

Where did the writers get the idea for Columbo?  He seems to be the complete reverse of the private detective Agatha Christi placed in MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, and MURDER ON THE NILE.  Reverse, as in wrinkled trench coat, the car with the MTH smoke unit, head scratch.....  the reverse of prim and proper!

And yet, Poirot and Columbo are two TV detectives - both favorites of mine - that my wife absolutely refuses to watch and considers very much alike because "they are both irritating pests."  Poirot, particularly as played by David Suchet, is so fastidious about his dress, and so fussy about all the details, etc. that it drives my wife crazy when watching him.  And while Columbo is the opposite as regards the care he gives his appearance, my wife insists he fusses over facts, and irritatingly pesters people even more.  I love 'em both, but feel more of an affinity to Columbo, who has satorial habits much like mine.  

Originally Posted by Lee Willis:

From the beginning I wanted Lt. Columbo among the detectives on my layout but finding a model of  his car ('59 Peugeot 403 convertible) proved impossible.  So I bought a Peugeot panel van with the right shape from the windscreen forward (inset) and over the past several months bashed/modified the vehicle from there backward into a reasonable facsimile.  Finishing it seemed a perfect small project while I watched the Macy's parade and waited for the Thanksgiving feast this afternoon.  

 

So here he is, detective #56 on the layout, investigating the theft of the Thanksgiving turkey for the Creedence Clearwater Brewery employee banquet.  He still has to investigate a bit, including looking out the back door, but is pretty sure already the culprit is the old man down the road. 

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I love it!  

Al K. 

OK, how about this.  This is a Preiser 1/50 figure that was kit bashed to make a facsimile of the good lt.  It's hard to hold focus on something this tiny without a tripod so please excuse the shots that are a little off.

 

Raw figure:

 

test fit of his "arm"

Making the trench coat out of body putty

Finished figure:

Nice job on the Bachman figure.  

 

He had several "classic" poses.  They even poked fun at that in "Columbo goes to College" when the smart *d murder impersonated him in the car.  

 

Left arm was usually bent at an angle across his waist or his left hand was in his trench coat pocket.  Right hand was raised to his forehead or his right arm extended in the "just one more thing" pose.  Always with the cigar stub either in his mouth or right hand.  There was some nice play off of that in the "murder a self portrait"  episode with max barsinni also smoking a cigar (much finer one).

As much as people like Columbo, I think he does not get the attention and respect he deserves. I think the reason is that "Columbo" was never a series of novels before it was a TV series.  Poirot, Morse, Frost, were.  I think they are some of the best detective-procedural shows ever put on TV.  Love them, and him.  

 

I tried to do him justice, so to speak, on my layout.  Not sure I succeeded, but I sure like the guy!!!

Originally Posted by Lee Willis:

As much as people like Columbo, I think he does not get the attention and respect he deserves. I think the reason is that "Columbo" was never a series of novels before it was a TV series.  Poirot, Morse, Frost, were.  I think they are some of the best detective-procedural shows ever put on TV.  Love them, and him.  

 

I tried to do him justice, so to speak, on my layout.  Not sure I succeeded, but I sure like the guy!!!

And if I remember, when he came out on NBC's MYSTERY MOVIE, the Lt. only came out once every 3 to 4 weeks rotated with McCloud, McMillian and Wife,........

Peter Falk did a wonderful reprise of his Columbo role in the 1979 film "The In-Laws", with Alan Arkin.  He kept much the same manner as Columbo with the "classic" gestures.  Great, completely off-the-wall movie.  Not to be confused with the more recent re-make with Michael Douglas.  Falk was a national treasure.  I think you've done well by him on your layout Lee.

 

 

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