Last Words to Columbo: "We have got to get rid of that box! Give me that box....Hahahahahahah"
In "Short Fuse" a chemical company heir Roger Stanford (played by Roddy McDowall) is determined to prevent his uncle from selling the family business to a conglomerate in exchange for a position on the Board of Directors. To achieve this, Stanford decides to use a time-delaying explosive device, which he cunningly conceals inside a box of his uncle's beloved Cuban cigars. By doing so, he intends to kill his uncle and derail the sale of the family business to the conglomerate. Roddy McDowall plays an erratic and odd character and the final 'Gotcha' scene is a marvellous television moment.
Roddy McDowall was a British-American actor, voice actor, director, and photographer, born on September 17, 1928, in London, England. He began his acting career as a child actor in British films before moving to Hollywood in the 1940s. McDowall appeared in over 250 film and television productions throughout his career, including "Lassie Come Home" (1943), "Planet of the Apes" (1968), and "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972).
In addition to his acting work, McDowall was also a talented photographer who captured the images of many famous Hollywood personalities. He was known for his affable and charming personality, which made him a popular figure both on and off-screen. McDowall was honored with numerous awards for his work in the entertainment industry, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
McDowall passed away on October 3, 1998, at the age of 70, due to lung cancer. He is remembered as one of the most versatile actors of his time and a beloved figure in Hollywood.