Pardon me, excuse me.

Most people will be remembering the late Peter Falk this weekend for his great signature role, Columbo. The raincoat, the cigar, the rumpled brilliance – all indelible. But Falk’s career was full of gems. Here are some of my favorites.

Wings of Desire

Falk’s small role in Wim Wenders’ 1987 film about an angel who wants to be human is absolutely sublime. It’s full of sparkle and shades of reality, as he plays … you know, for once, I’m not going to spoil it.

The Princess Bride

I suspect there’s a whole generation of people who know Falk more for this than for Columbo. I’m very fond of his work here, too. As you wish.

The In-Laws

You don’t need special effects when you have Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. The word “serpentine” always makes me laugh, because of this scene from 1979.

A Woman Under the Influence

Here, Falk and Gena Rowlands communicate more with gestures and half-uttered phrases than most actors can with an entire script.