Columbo (Any Old Port in a Storm/Peter Falk/Donald Pleasance/1973)

Columbo — “Any Old Port in a Storm” (1973) Polished, clever, and quietly devastating, “Any Old Port in a Storm” is widely considered one of the standout episodes of Columbo. Originally airing in 1973, the episode features Peter Falk as the rumpled but razor-sharp Lieutenant Columbo, unraveling a murder hidden beneath layers of sophistication and control. At the center is a refined wine connoisseur whose world of taste, ritual, and secrecy becomes the backdrop for one of the series’ most memorable cases. The episode is notable not just for its mystery, but for its tone—elegant on the surface, quietly tense underneath, with Columbo methodically closing in. Over time, “Any Old Port in a Storm” has gained a cult following for its atmosphere, performances, and subtle character dynamics—standing out even within a show known for its consistency.