Peter Falk dies

Sad news about the great American actor Peter Falk, who has died today. Although best known for his role as the TV detective Columbo – a figure, apparently, based on the persistent inquisitor who finally brings down Raskalnikov in Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment – his most important work was done with Greek-American film-maker John Cassavetes. Falk was an integral part of the Cassavetes ensemble and appeared in his films Husbands, A Woman Under the Influence and Opening Night. Falk also starred with Cassavetes in Elaine May’s Cassavetes’ like crime film, Mikey & Nicky. Above is a clip from that film, and below is a clip from A Woman Under the Influence. And don’t forget the clip I posted here of Falk in Jean Genet’s The Balcony.