Freemasonry in television : Columbo

Columbo

Columbo holds a ring that is referred to as a Shriners ring [01:05:55]. Earlier he had seen a picture of someone who he later suspects had been murdered:

Columbo: "I notice he was a big man in the Shriners too. Now that’s something I know about. That’s a double eagle ring Scottish Rite 32 degrees. Had an uncle, he played bagpipes in the Shriners band. He couldn't play a note, but nobody could tell the difference." [00:19:50]

Later, Columbo is at a crime scene when he realizes the importance of the ring:

Columbo: Excuse me, are you a Shriner?"
Officer: "No."
Columbo: Is your partner a Shriner?"
Officer: "I don't know. Why don't you ask him."
Columbo: "Excuse me, are you a Shriner?"
Officer: "No."
Columbo: "Is anyone here a Shriner. I'm Lieutenant Columbo. Police Department. I could use some help. Is anyone here a Shriner. Or does anyone here know a Shriner?"
Bystander: "Lieutenant!"
Columbo: "Are you a Shriner?"
Bystander: "No."
Columbo: "Sir...."
Bystander: "...but you know, Frank the bartender on the corner is a Shriner."
Columbo: "Thank you. Does he have a Shriners ring?"
Bystander: "I don't know. Why don't you ask him?" [01:03:18]

Columbo (1973)
Requiem for a Falling Star.
Original Air Date 1/21/1973
Peter Falk, Anne Baxter, Mel Ferrer. Season 2, Episode 5. Directed by Richard Quine, written by Jackson Gillis.

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