Columbo (TV Series) Butterfly in Shades of Grey (1994) User Reviews

Shatner makes this one work

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 3 May 2016]

BUTTERFLY IN SHADES OF GREY makes the return of William Shatner to the COLUMBO TV series after he first appeared in it in the 1970s. Shatner is one of my favourite cult stars - I find him an actor it's impossible to not enjoy - and he certainly lifts the material in what is otherwise a well-paced but fairly predictable Columbo storyline.

Shatner plays a brash radio talk show host with a fixation on his adopted daughter. When another man tries to break her away from him, he's driven to extreme means in order to dispose of the threat. The murder itself is quite straightforward here, relying on an unusual telephone-related alibi for the most part, and the resolution is fairly average.

What lifts it is a typically assured performance from Peter Falk as the titular detective. Falk enjoys a handful of comedic moments in this one; they're quite familiar and have played out before, but there's plenty of mileage in them nonetheless. He also shares plenty of scenes with Shatner, and both actors are really enjoying themselves. You can't help but do so as well.

Fine Columbo story

[jamiecostelo58 · 7/10 · 13 February 2007]

William Shatner and Molly Hagan are reunited with Peter Falk for a second Columbo mystery, which is rather entertaining. Radio presenter Fielding Chase is very controlling of his adopted daughter Victoria (who is in the midst of writing a novel) thus killing her close friend Gerry Winters, who simply wanted her to branch out and lead her own life away from Chase. Actress Hagan is great as Victoria, a naive young woman who wants nothing but to please her murderous father. Shatner on the other hand has given better performances in his long career, and seems confused and over the top.

Peter Falk can portray the legendary Lt. with his eyes shut, and he simply (as always) brightens up the whole scenario. Funny gaffes include our Lt being mistaken for a homeless person, and mostly his beat up old (but also lovable) car continually backfiring! The case comes to a satisfying conclusion featuring many cunning tricks from our Lt....As usual Columbo outwits the murderer!

Butterfly In Shades of Grey is another enjoyable Columbo mystery and it's one I've seen many times, but there are stronger films in the Columbo franchise that eclipse this good but slightly weak 1993 edition. It's definitely not the best in the series. 7/10

A great match for Shatner and Falk again

[Sylviastel · 8/10 · 26 June 2002]

For Columbo fans, William Shatner plays the controlling Fielding Chase who kills a man who can separate him from his adoptive daughter played wonderfully by Molly Hagen. The key to solving the case is as fascinating as the actual murder. Columbo figures out who done it but how does he catch him. As in any Columbo feature, all the crimes are solved by one loose thread or link. It is nice to see Three's Company Richard Kline as his daughter's friend and literary agent. William Shatner plays Fielding Chase as the overly protective suffocating surrogate father to Molly Hagen's character in this film. It is a believable one and fun to watch anyway. Like I said, I will watch Columbo all the time. I am waiting for the Columbo Cable Channel.

A weak motive hampers the development of the story in a film that will probably please fans despite not being that strong a film

[bob the moo · 20 June 2006]

Fielding Chase is a popular if outspoken talk radio host. His foster daughter works alongside him as his assistant, always in his shadow, which is pretty much how he likes it. However he learns that one of his staff, Gerry Winters, has been helping Victoria and encouraging her to write a novel and get it published. When Fielding finds this out he goes behind his daughter's back and convinces the publisher (an old friend) to drop the deal. Victoria is crushed but Gerry reckons he knows why the deal fell apart and convinces her to come away with him anyway. To prevent this Fielding asks Gerry to call him at a set time but actually sneaks into the house at that time. While the answer machine catches them both chatting, Fielding shoots Gerry in the back – making it appear that he was miles away at the time of the murder. However one slip of the tongue is all it takes of Columbo to suspect that it is not as clear-cut as all that.

Although it is not one of the routinely better classic episodes in the Columbo series (the newer ones tend to be more hit and miss) I decided to give it a go because generally they are OK plus this had the added interest of old ham Shatner making his second appearance in the series. The film doesn't open well though, with a seemingly poor motive from Shatner for the crime and a murder that wouldn't have taken much to have it all fall to pieces. With this as the basis for the mystery, it doesn't develop that well Falk himself is pretty good as per normal, showing himself the usual good sport with the running gags about his appearance (a nice moment on a TV set). The problem does lie with Shatner unfortunately. He is too hammy and forceful – it felt like he was pushing a one-note character too hard. The two men don't work that well together because, like other average Columbo murderers, Shatner plays it confrontation and thus loses the fun of the cat'n'mouse game that usually makes for a strong chemistry. Support is unmemorable from Hagan, Laufer and a few others – nobody bad but certainly nobody is given much to do.

Overall this is an OK Columbo film but the weaknesses in the plot setup and the lack of spark between the two actors means it never gets up a good head of steam. Fans of the series will still enjoy it because it holds pretty well to the formula but just don't expect it to be any where near the standard of the series at the height of its powers.

William Shatner killing again!

[Boba_Fett1138 · 7/10 · 7 November 2008]

17 years after his previous Columbo movie appearance, William Shatner again plays the murderer within a Columbo movie. His role is better and more interesting than was the case in his previous Columbo movie appearance but his performance isn't really though.

Shatner goes terribly over-the-top with his role and he actually is a real B-actor, with an A-actor's status however, due to his "Star Trek" fame. It's actually quite fun to see him act but for all the wrong reasons, especially in the way he delivers his lines. Peter Falk on the other hand is really great, perhaps even better than usual. He seemed to be in a good mood while playing in this. He provides the movie with some great relieving humor.

No big surprise that the movie features some good humor since the movie is directed by Dennis Dugan. Dugan is a director who mostly directed comedies throughout his career. He began his career with directing for TV but now days he also has some successful and well known theatrical movies behind his name, with "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry" and "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" as the most recent examples.

The movie has a real typical Columbo movie plot, that follows the usual formula and features all of the right requirements. So no surprises in this movie really or anything that makes this movie a special one but it's all good enough to please the average Columbo lovers. The killing is actually done quite good and original too bad that the rest of the movie its plot isn't that good or interesting. I love though how Lt. Columbo is trying to put pressure on the Shatner character by using his obvious love for his (step)daughter against him, later in the movie.

So yes, despite Shatner this is still a fine average and certainly watchable Columbo movie entry.

7/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

An ego-maniacal talk show host meets his match in Columbo

[garrard · 8/10 · 2 April 2006]

It's amazing how viewers can see something different. Though I agree with the other commentator about Shatner's 'stache taking on a life of its own, I disagree with the comments about the actor's acting. While the two-hour movie format is not as "tight" as the ninety-minute episodes, "Butterfly in Shades of Gray" is entertaining until the end.

Some of the highlights include the murder, the exchange between Falk's Columbo and Shatner's "Fielding Chase" in the restaurant, the argument between Shatner and his daughter, as well as the on-air revelation about a wayward senator.

Dick DeBenedictus's score enlivens the story with the appropriate blend of mystery and suspense.

S'okay

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 27 June 2010]

This is certainly not a bad episode, but it is not a great one either. It is strikingly filmed as the Columbo episodes often are, the music is good, the script is decent enough as is the direction and story, while Peter Falk is excellent and Molly Hagen is wonderful. However, the pacing is rather sluggish, and the murderer's motive is quite weak. Also I just didn't buy William Shatner in his role, he tries hard but he is too over-the-top and forced and his moustache was falling off in some scenes.

Overall, it is certainly worth watching but it wasn't brilliant. 6/10 Bethany Cox

One of the easier to hate villains in "Columbo" history!

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 14 August 2021]

It's obvious as you watch "Butterfly in Shades of Grey" that the character William Shatner plays was inspired, at least in part, by Rush Limbaugh. Now I am NOT saying it was a hatchet job on Limbaugh or anyone had an axe to grind...but there are definite similarities you can't help but notice!

Fielding Chase (Shatner) is a very powerful man with a radio commentary show heard coast to coast. His style is pretty abrasive and he is more concerned with ratings than with the truth. He also is concerned with his 'daughter'...a woman who actually is NOT his biological daughter but she lives with him and he takes on a VERY paternal role with her...even calling her his daughter. It's pretty weird, actually, and when other people come between them, Fielding is incensed. In particular, he's angry about one of his employees, a gay researcher. This guy doesn't like Fielding and the feeling is mutual....but Fielding's anger towards the guy increases dramatically when the assistant tries to encourage her to leave her 'father' and go to New York for a book deal. Fielding does NOT want her to go and simply won't permit it...and that means he's planning on killing the guy! But how to establish an alibi? He comes up with the idea of recording a phone call with the victim as the victim is shot...and arrange it so that folks think he's across town at his home at the time. How is this possible? See the show.

This is William Shatner's second appearance on "Columbo" as a villain. Many years before, he starred in "Fade in to Murder"....though his character in "Butteryfly" seems easier to hate...and unhealthily fixated on the 'daughter'! I applaud him for playing such an unlikable character...and playing him so well. Add to that an interesting plot and good writing, and you have a show well worth your time.

The Radio Host

[AaronCapenBanner · 7/10 · 6 March 2016]

William Shatner makes his second appearance, here playing a radio talk show host/commentator named Fielding Chase who is very possessive of his adopted daughter Victoria(played by returning actress Molly Hagen) and resentful of his investigative researcher Gerry Winters(played by Jack Laufer) who encourages Victoria to leave her father so that she can hand over a novel she wrote to a publishing friend of his(played by Richard Kline). In order to stop this, Fielding kills Gerry while establishing a clever alibi for himself, but Lt. Columbo(Peter Falk) finds a big hole in his story that may force Chase off the air... Old fashioned(in some ways!) episode is entertaining and clever, with Shatner giving a good performance as the alternately sympathetic yet despicable character with complex moral shades indeed.

that moustache!

[blitzebill · 8/10 · 14 August 2023]

Is hilarious, but fits Shatner's character quite well. Billy's performance made this episode worth watching, due to his usual over the top melodramatic antics.

I've been watching all the episodes of Columbo once a week since forever on Peacock and it's fascinating to see how he aged in both his physical and acting aspects. This one still has the little tune of "this ol' man" playing in the background when he's at work on a particular focus of his investigation.

The plot is not quite as good as earlier episodes, but the clever twists of the villain make it fun.

The biggest part was of course Shatner, but wait there's more: Go find a film noir titled "The Big Clock" from 1948. It stars the famous Charles Laughton. As "Butterfly" opens with Shatner, I immediately saw Laughton in his demeanor, right down to the moustache! Was Billy Shatner mimicking Laughton? They both acted in the same dramatic fashion in their respective roles in their films. Maybe Shatner was paying homage.

As Spock would say..."Fascinating."

Shatner fits the bill perfectly.

[punishmentpark · 7/10 · 21 November 2015]

Yes! William Shatner as the baddie, with a faux pas moustache to boot. He may not be a great actor, but he plays the sleazebag quite successfully, and does so with pleasure. And there's a return here for the lovely and charming Molly Hagan. Jack Laufer and Richard Kline play their small roles with much conviction.

The story is pretty good, nothing surprising or shocking, but hey. The locations are pretty sweet; some big, big Hollywood houses and even a finale in the Hollywood Hills - was it Mulholland Dr.? No, Fines Road, according to IMDb. Very entertaining, all in all.

A good 7 out of 10.

good Columbo with an obnoxious performance by William Shatner

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 2 December 2017]

"Butterflies in Shades of Grey" is a 1993 Columbo, the 12th season. William Shatner is on hand again, this time as a Rush Limbaugh type radio talk host, Fielding Chase, who is overly protective of his foster daughter Victoria (Molly Hagen). He may also have some unfatherly feelings for her.

A shy young woman who acquiesces to her father's wishes and works for his radio show, a coworker and friend Lou (Richard Kline) shows her novel to a literary agent and urges her to branch out on her own. Chase uses his influence to quash interest from a publisher, though the literary agent still wants her to go to New York and be represented by him.

After a huge showdown with Lou, Chase takes it upon himself to get rid of him - permanently - and turn Molly's attention back to his own needs since they're both so devastated by Lou's death.

The method of murder is clever, but we're not sure how long Columbo is fooled as to the murderer's identity. Something tells me not long.

William Shatner gives one of the worst performances of his career, maybe the worst, and who the heck did his makeup? It's awful and so distracting. Next to the perfection of Falk as Columbo, he manages to come off even worse. I mean, Shatner has always been hammy, but many times, his over-the-top work has paid off. This wasn't one of them.

Despite this, it's an enjoyable episode, sticking to the Columbo formula. And let me tell you, seeing Fielding Chase get his comeuppance was extra pleasurable.

"Butterfly in Shades of Grey" (1994)

[Wuchakk · 7/10 · 10 January 2019]

PLOT: A controversial radio-show host (William Shatner) murders a former member of his staff, a gay man, who was about to whisk his beloved foster daughter off to New York City to become a novelist (Molly Hagan).

COMMENTARY: This episode is superior to Shatner's first appearance on Columbo, "Fade in to Murder" (1976); of course the story & characters are totally different, except for our beloved disheveled detective. As usual, Shatner is entertaining as he hams it up in the role of the semi-shock jock.

There's a priceless sequence where Columbo shows-up on the set of a soap opera and is mistaken for an actor playing a homeless man enlisted for the shoot. There's also a compelling on-air bit involving a senator rudely confronted with his wayward past. I must say, the radio host's mansion in the mountains of Malibu is magnificent.

GRADE: B

Episode in Later Series Meets With Modest Success

[rmax304823 · 5/10 · 13 May 2007]

Colombo solves this murder by figuring out that a call could not have been made from a cell phone in the mountains behind Malibu. Falk still has some dash, but the writers have slowed his intellect more than usual. He's not familiar with satellite dishes and television. He's only "heard about dem things." And he's not so sure about cellular phones either. "Dey give you tumors." Colombo, however, is savvy enough to stage a bicycling accident on a rural road in order to trip up the killer.

Colombo is a constant in these movies. His character never changes. If he's more amusing in some episodes than in others it's because he's sometimes given better lines. (My favorite, from another episode involving Janet Leigh, is "cadaveric spasm?!") But if the villain is dull, so is the story.

And Colombo's murderers come generally in two categories: the flamboyant and the icy cold. My vote for best icy murderer: Patrick McGoohan, the Colonel in charge of the military college. Here, William Shatner makes a pretty effective flamboyant murderer, hammy to the point of outrageousness. Some actors coast along on their normal off-screen personalities, but Shatner gives it everything he's got, huffing and puffing, the theatrical contours of his voice taking us on a roller coaster ride, sneering and strutting and superior and entirely unbelievable. He seems to be having a hell of a good time, barely able to keep from laughing out loud. Maybe it's partly because he regularly checked his appearance in a mirror and found that his mustache couldn't make up its mind about its color.

Still it's a bit sluggish. I guess that in order to make the story and the flagging energy behind the series seem a little more contemporaneous, the writers have brought in an openly gay love affair and a hint of incestuous feelings. Neither is particularly interesting, nor are they relevant to the plot. And I have no idea what the title means: "Butterfly in Shades of Grey." Did I miss something?

The plot is somewhat hard to follow at times too. A Senator is destroyed, somehow, on the air for no special reason and some minutes are spent on this incident.

Enjoyable though. If not among the best, it's not among the worst either.

Mustache Goof

[meritakissinger · 16 November 2018]

Shatner's character's mustache changes shape and color throughout the show.

Should have been an unbreakable alibi

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 30 April 2017]

William Shatner made a second guest appearance on Columbo in this episode. In this one he's a Rush Limbaugh like news commentator who really gets his jollies taking down liberal icons if necessary with half truths and outright lies. But he also has a thing for his stepdaughter Molly Hagan and wants her at his side always and forever. He stifles a writing career the daughter has and kills one of his staff investigators who was going to help her and go out on his own.

I have to say Shatner was quite good in shooting Laufer and then providing himself with what should have been an unbreakable alibi. Unbreakable to all but Peter Falk. More I cannot say but it was something carefully thought out given the time frame.

Satellite dishes were something new when this story debuted and they provide an integral part of the story in helping Columbo apprehend Shatner.

Shatner was really a loathsome character here. It was a pleasure to see Columbo nail him.

It smells like a lychie, but feels like a tomato...

[headless_chocobo · 8/10 · 11 August 2005]

Columbus is back again as that mild mannered sleuth in truth, columbo. This time he's up against a ruthless Radio broadcaster who likes to "god bless you darling" old ladies. Columbo's ne'er well to-do cousin is a big fan of his, which I believe is very relevant to the plot at hand. The radio guy, Kirkumbo, has one of those crazy psychological disorders and in an effort to protect his daughter from the intentions of a gentleman caller, does away with said gentleman. Not realising he was a gay man, the victim not the murderer...although with that 'stash you'd be forgive for suspecting...if it was a real 'stash I think he just liked to drink hot chocolate and kept forgetting to wipe his upper lip...but anyway I digress. Overall i'd recommend this film both Falk and Kirk acted superbly and the special effects were great. However I didn't understand the significance of Columbo placing that large pickle in his coat pocket, I guess I must of missed why, as I was too busy laughing at what he said about his wife, his shoes and the cherry tomato! In conclusion this is one of the greatest episodes of this series with a villain who is as sinister and scheming as the come!

Not the best, near the bottom for me!

[RogerMooreTheBestBond · 7/10 · 28 January 2012]

I will start out by saying that I loved the first Columbo "Fade into Murder" with William Shatner and Peter Falk. They were great in that episode and played off each other so well. I pretty much love Shatner in everything he had done up to this Columbp episode. He is and always will be Captain Kirk and T.J. Hooker to me. I agree with others that Shatner is trying to hard and he is just not believable. He's over doing his part and usually it works for Shatner, but fails here. Usually the Columbo villains are written so well, but this is horrible. I give it a 7 out of 10 and that is tied for the lowest rating I have ever given a Columbo. I give it a 7 because Peter Falk never gives a bad performance as Columbo and he and Shatner do have some good scenes together.

Great Hammy Fun

[ddp_dave · 10/10 · 21 January 2021]

This is a great episode, watching the verbal jousting between Falk and Shatner with almost a wink to the audience is great fun. Take it for what it is...two heavyweights having a good time bouncing lines off each other.

Ham on rye

[valstone52 · 6/10 · 20 February 2020]

William Shatner is too over the top. Seems like everything he's in he acts like it's Shakespeare. Now that I think about it he was the same in star trek. Even in the commercials he does now are laughable. Slap some mayo on him and put him in a roll and you've got pig in a blanket.

Columbo "Shat's"

[tomgpohl · 8/10 · 23 April 2021]

Aside from WS's hammy acting, this is one of my favorite episodes.

I watched this episode for my 129th time and still enjoyed it. I also had my Metamucil along with my coffee while viewing.

Better late Columbo but padded at 2 hours

[phlbrq58 · 7/10 · 8 April 2021]

Reading reviews here seems viewers relate depending how they feel about drug addict, sex tourist Rush Limbaugh. You have a good contest between the stars, typically shallow supporting cast and story stretching sequences. None of the later eps have the charm of 70s eps. This is more enjoyable than the highest rated .. Goes To College.

Don't publish your first book

[jan-hranac · 9/10 · 30 April 2023]

William Shatner - automatic like. Whatever he stars in is always worth watching. And the same goes for Columbo. And now to the episode itself.

One of the central points of this plot is a book written by one of the characters. And it is all about the book being wrongfully rejected. The thing is, if you are an aspiring writer, you should know that your first book will always suck. You can write a dozen short stories first but you should never try to publish your first book. Publish your second book instead. And the third one. Than return to your first book and either rewrite it or dump it. This is the golden rule of writing.

Sidenote: Some writers go as far as planning a whole series instead of just one book. I got to book two of my first series before I realized that the entire series was trash.

Memorable episode. Such a story can't fly with post-CSI audiences, obviously

[muratmihcioglu · 7/10 · 29 November 2023]

I was here at this same summer house when I watched this for the very first time. Must be a few years after its air date in the USA. Amazing how fast time flies by... Well, mobile phones were becoming a thing only recently in those days, and naturally, the way Columbo solved the case by showing interest in how new tech works. And LOL to him being mistaken as an extra playing homeless when he visits the set!

But... In hindsight, the gotcha looks kinda weak, or at least clumsy. Okay, signal tracking wasn't the strong suit of lay men back then, but could a smart guy like Mr. Case rely solely on that phone alibi, not caring how ahead of the curve the police would be?

William Shatner has a strong presence as ever. He gives the vibes of that weird French movie where the king wants to marry his own daughter and she puts on donkey skin, for some reason I don't recall now. (Donkey Skin by Jacques Demy with Catherine Deneuve and Jean Marais) And it's a delight to watch Peter Falk react to how mobile phones are becoming popular, raising skepticism on their health risks etc. Watching it today, one grows mixed feelings. Those were better times, lost forever. Too much communication and too much tracking at play nowadays.

I still don't get how the victim failed to hear the live sound that came from next door and heard his killer talk only on the phone.

Shatner's tash

[lee_north · 4/10 · 11 August 2005]

Certainly not the greatest Colombo of all time, although Falk's acting is faultless as usual. Here we not only see Shatner at his worst and least prepared, we also witness the ineptitude of the continuity staff and make up department. Shatner's moustache seems to take on a new shape and colour of its own in each different scene ranging from one end of the colour spectrum right through to infra-red. His chemeleonic tash and poor acting is only mildly saved by Falk's supreme acting ability who almost seems to drag Shatner by the moustache through the duration of this movie. Wonderfully this movie uses the experimental pickles which we observe Falk using for the first time in the famous 'Breadstick' scene; vinegared goods which were to be become a trademark thereafter. Overall this film serves to demonstrate the ever widening chasm which exists between the acting styles of the two lead men: one being astounding, with colossal screen presence (particularly in the 'cop in a soap' scene), whilst the other dull, moribund and fledgling.