PERRY MASON starring Raymond Burr (1957-1966) Notes on Series 1. (Plus My ratings of each story out of a maximum of 10*): 1 The Restless Redhead (1957) 5* The Accused: Miss Evelyn Bagby (Whitney Blake), waitress at a cafe. The Crime: Murder of Harry Merrill, his car crashed over Sunset Canyon. The Weapon: .38 gun Perry's Ploy: Switching identical guns The Last Minute Confession: It turns out Merrill had promised the murderer money, but hadn't paid up. Memorable quote: "It's the truth, I don't care how bad it sounds." 2 The Sleepwalker's Niece (1957) 6* The Victim: Philip Kendal stabbed in his bed in the guest room. The Intended Victim?: Frank Maddox business partner of Peter Coles. The Accused: Peter who walked in his sleep, at which time he'd nearly killed Doris his wife. She filed for divorce. The Background: Doris and Frank are conspiring to swindle Peter. Perry's Ploy: The real murderer is tricked into being summonsed to testify by DA Burger himself. Quotes: Perry: "have you ever asked a sleepwalker to tell you the truth?" Doris to Perry: "I hate to tell you what I think of you." 3 The Nervous Accomplice 6* The Accused: Mrs Sybil Grainger, who knows her husband Bruce is having an affair with Roxy. The Crime: Shooting George Lutz, chairman of the Sylvan Glade development company. Perry's Ploy: 1. He gets his client to get a second taxi ticket, to confuse a key witness. Then 2, he has a replica of a shooting stand manufactured, which Roxy had trashed. The Last Minute Confession: The second ploy forces a confession from Roxy who had been protecting someone. Memorable quotes: "I never knew hate had a taste all its own." Also this from DA Burger, "I object. Counsel for the Defense is up to his usual grandstand." And to Perry (of course), "Congratulations Mason, a brilliant performance." 4 The Drowning Duck 3* (Sadly no Burger or Tragg is this story) The Accused: Marvin Adams, chemistry student, engaged to Helen Winters. The Crime: murder of Donald Briggs, a blackmailing private eye. Method: Gassed at the Sands Motel Logan City. Motive: Briggs was blackmailing, threatening to expose the fact that Marv's father had been convicted of murder 18 years previous. The Murky Past: Marv's dad had been found guilty on the evidence of shadowy Miss X. Perry finds out she was a friend of the dead man. Quote: In a country court, Perry is the slick city lawyer. Defense complains, "Mr Mason, you are tyring to use this court as a stage for your well known theatrics." 5 The Sulky Girl 8* The Victim: Edward Norton, trustee of a million dollar estate on behalf of his 23 year old "expensive delinquent" Francis Celane. The Accused: Rodney Gleeson who had secretly married this Fran. He had been with the dead man "to have it out... I guess I lost my head." The Confession: For once this has been prepared for us, but Perry's Big Ruse is to get a judge in court to recognise the devious deception. Quotes: Paul Drake: "This one looks bad, Perry." DA Burger: "Objection. Mr Mason is baiting the witness. " Also: "We've had a lot of theories from Mr Mason, but no evidence." 6 The Case of The Silent Partner 7* The First Victim: Lola, poisoned by her favourite Andrei candy. However she does recover. She's hostess at Club Eldorado, owned by Sam Lynk. The Murdered Victim: Sam Lynk, shot by a gun belonging to Bob Kimber. The Accused: Mrs Mildred Kimber, owner of Orchids Unlimited, her husband Bob had had to hand over his shares in this firm after losing in Lynk's crooked poker game. These shares had been handed to ex-con Harry Marlow who runs a rival business. Lola had promised to supply evidence to Perry Mason that the poker game was bent. Unusual bit: Mildred is recuperating from a heart attack, so this case never gets to court. For once, we never see the courtroom. Quote: Lt Tragg of DA Burger: "he likes to call the shots. He's peculiar that way." 7 The Angry Mourner 6* (no Burger or Tragg) Victim: Mark Cushing, notorious philanderer, shot dead. The Accused: Mrs Belle Adrian. Her daughter Carla (Barbara Eden) had been with Cushing that night. Other Suspect: Marian Keats "would explain a lot of things." Perry's Problem: "Belle lies to him, trying to protect Carla. "Does it look very bad?" Showdown: "Perry wants to question Miss Keats. The DA and her own lawyer object, but Perry shouts them both down. Showdown: "Perry "rips to shreds" the witness. Quotes: Of Perry's technique, "Your honour, I don't think this is proper cross examination." And at the end admiringly to Perry, "how could you figure it out just from one glass?" 8 The Crimson Kiss 8* Victim: Carver Clement, friend of Anita, poisoned in Room 702. The Accused: Fay, engaged to Dane Grover- but she and her friend Anita had both been drugged. The Vital Clue: A smacking great kiss mark on Carver's forehead. Perry's Ploys: 1: He hides the key of 702 that he had found in Fay's handbag. 2: in court "a piece of melodrama," when Anita threatens to jump from the window. 3: He forces the killer to confess by suddenly, in court, dabbing his handkerchief on the criminal's lips. Quote by Hamilton Burger, "I object your honour, this line of questioning is irrelevant." 9 The Vagabond Vixen 5* The Accused: John Addison, co-director of Fidelity Pictures. The Victim: Edgar Ferrell, his partner. Perry's Ploy: Paying off a blackmailer with a fake cheque. Key Witness: Veronica Dale who had hitched a lift with both partners. The Confession: Perry reconstructs the shooting in order to force the real killer to confess. Memorable quote by DA Burger: "Mr Mason is using the court as a sounding board for his own highly conjectural purposes." 10 The Runaway Corpse 8* The Dead Man: Ed Davenport, his dying words accuse his wife Myrna of poisoning him. But how come his corpse then vanishes? An earlier death: Uncle Charlies, also poisoned. Myrna inherited his fortune. The Accused: Myrna of course. Her cousin Louise also accuses her of murder. Quote: Tragg: "Well, Burger's going to love this case, with a witness like that he can't lose?" Really?? 11 The Crooked Candle 7* The Accused: Mrs Bradford, Martha. The Crime: Murder of Mr Joseph Bradford, land broker. The Baffling Bit: There's a second Mrs Bradford, Rita. One of the wives must be lying, or be "seriously deluded." The Vital Clue: A crooked candle which Perry uses to disprove the murderer's statement. Some bullying tactics get him to reveal all. Quote from poor DA Burger: "Come now Mason, you're not asking the court to believe...." 12 The Negligent Nymph 5* The Victim: Rich Geo Alder The Accused: his secretary Sally, who'd just quit over a beachcomer blackmailing her boss over his alleged killing of his rich Aunt Agatha. His wife Karen believes George guilty also. The Conclusion: DA Burger happily demolishes a witness who supports Sally, only to see Perry prove that witness is the killer. Quote from Tragg who knows Perry is hiding the suspect: "it's gonig to be awful dull without you around, Mason" 13 The Moth Eaten Mink 8* Victims: George Fayette, dead in Room 815 Keymont Hotel. His death is related to that of cop Robert Clarement a year previously. The Accused: Morey Allen, proprietor of a restaurant, his gun killed Fayette. Also his waitress Dixie, in her possession, the gun that killed Claremont. Embarrassing bit: Perry and Paul Drake found beside the corpse. In walks Tragg. Quote from Tragg: "Sounds fishy to me." The guilty party: "are you trying to frame me to protect your client?" 14 The Baited Hook 5* (no DA Burger) Victim: Albert Tydings, who'd been swindling the trust fund set up for Carol Stanley, the girl who finds his body. But later Perry finds this same corpse at his home. The Accused: Carol, with Tyding's business partner Dawson as accessory. The naughty bit: Perry and Della snoop in Tyding's office, finding out this is where the murder had taken place. Lt Tragg nearly catches them here. More snooping at his client's home where Perry finds evidence of blackmail. Quotes: Tragg to Perry, "I'd hate to lose my favourite sparring partner." Carol's foster mother brands Tragg "the half witted moron." The disappointing bit: The case never reaches court as Perry's wheeler dealing solves the mystery. 15 The Fan Dancer's Horse 4* The Victim: John Callender, ranch owner, whose wife Lois Fenton was leaving him. The Accused: Lois, who has a double in dancer Chi-Chi. Even Paul Drake thinks this client is guilty. The Vital Evidence: of course the two women in court look almost identical and Tragg's hopes of finally trapping Perry are reversed, for it's police connivance that is exposed. Quote from a jealous Della to Perry after he meets the dancer: "you haven't said a word since she kissed you." 16 The Demure Defendant 9* The Victim: Irascible Uncle Martin who had a hold on his ward, The Accused: Nadine, who wants to marry John, a chemist, but her uncle would not permit it. The Vital Evidence; Nadine had helped herself to cyanide from John's lab. The Twist: John is alleged to have died of natural causes, however Nadine had broken down and confessed to her shrink that she thinks she killed Uncle Martin. This excellent tale is only marred by a slightly unlikely final confession. Quotes: Doctor to Perry: Shouldn't like to be in your shoes." So: "That Burger must be licking his chops." When Tragg's case collapses, comments Della, "you have to almost feel sorry for Tragg." 17 The Sun Bather's Diary 8* Perry's Client: Miss Arlene Dowling, her father had been convicted of robbing a bank truck. Victim: her uncle George, a knife in his back. The Accused: Perry!! He'd been interviewing George, though what he is charged with is actually perjury. His client is the one accused of murder. The unusual bit: Perry on the witness stand is questioned by DA Burger. Poor Burger gets more than he expects. From his witness stand Perry solves the murder. Quote from Della: "Now what've you got up your sleeve?" 18 The Case of The Cautious Coquette 6* The Victim: Harry, ex husband of Elaine. A chauffeur to Stephen Argylle, he was blackmailing Elaine. The Accused: Elaine of course, now engaged to Ross Hollister. Apparently she was an eyewitness to a hit and run accident caused by Harry who had run off. The Mystery: Ross disappears after Harry's death. Perry's case seems to collapse when, as headlines proclaim, Mason's Theory Boomerangs. The case finally hangs on the Man Who Framed Himself. Quotes: A familiar line from DA Burger: "Mr Mason's questioning is highly improper." Elaine to her ex: "When you die Harry, I know exactly who will be at your funeral... you." 19 The Case of The Haunted Husband 6* The Victim: Mr X, Michael Greely, a drunk who had killed a truck driver in a car crash. The Accused: Claire Olger who had hitched a ride with Greely. He had framed her as the driver in the accident. The car owner: the vehicle involved in the smash was that of Jerry Heywood, big movie producer. Victim No 2: Ernie Tanner, Jerry's former aide who had tried to blackmail him. His corpse is found by Claire's best friend Doris. The Vital Evidence: a bloodstained shirt, that seems to establish Claire's guilt. Quotes: The ever hopeful Burger: "It looks like this time Mason has overreached himself." Another: "Defense counsel is turning this into burlesque." Perry to the DA: "Surely you are interested in justice Mr Burger?" 20 The Case of The Lonely Heiress 4* The Victim: Charlie, small time con man, who had been swindling Box 96 of Lonely Hearts Calling, who turns out to be wealthy heiress Marilyn Clark. Cause of Death: Though apparently shot, he actually dies of poisoning. The Accused: Marilyn who had been planning her own sting on Charlie, as he had swindled her sister. The vital clue: Dolores, Charlie's accomplice: "How could I put poison in bottle? It's how you call, a syringe." Quote: DA Burger to Dolores: "Don't you realise Perry Mason was just trying to confuse you?" 21 The Case of The Green Eyed Sister 8* The Victim: JJ Stanley, who had embezzled $50,000 from a Texas bank some years back. Cause of Death: an ice pick on which are found the fingerprints of the accused... The Accused: Harriet Bain, whose invalid father Ned had been accused of being Stanley's partner in crime. Perry's Ploy: vital tape evidence is cunningly demagnetized, "isn't that tampering with evidence?" The Clever Bit: Perry correctly surmises that the body had been placed in a deep freeze to alter the apparent time of death. Quotes: Perry: "You can't cross examine a tape recorder." DA: "Mr Mason's statements are pure unadulterated speculation" 22 The Case of The Fugitive Nurse 7* The Victim: Doc Morris, who owned a secret apartment. Cause of Death: Morphine sulphate. His body is found in a crashed plane. The Accused: Janet Morris, his wife, who had agrred on a divorce with him. The Mystery: Kirby had $92,000 of the doc's money, but has disappeared. It transpires it is Kirby who has been killed and it's the doc who is missing. The Fine Legal Point: The doc has now got remarried in Mexico to his nurse Gladys. His divorce is not legal in California, so can he testify against Janet, who remains his wife here? The Confession: "he was no good to me alive." Quote: Mrs Kirby belligerently to DA Burger: "are you afraid of her lawyer Mr Mason?" 23 The Case of The One Eyed Witness 7* The Victim: Samuel D Carlin, who had been blackmailing Marian Fargo (Angie Dickinson). Method: A bullet in his head, after which his house is fireballed. Perry, outside, watches on. Second Victim: Arthur Fargo, Marian's husband, who had been behind Carlin's blackmail racket. The Accused: Marian Fargo who had paid Carlin $1,000 monthly because he had a file on her brother Charles Gallacher, Quote by the Witness with a patch on her eye, of Perry, "isn't he the one who's always mixed up in some murder case?" 24 The Case of The Deadly Double 3* The Victim: David Reed once married to Helen. The Accused: Bob Crane, Helen's brother, who had threatened to kill David, because he wanted to take away Helen's child Tommy from her. The Mystery: Helen has a nightmare in which she shoots David. It seems she is a schizo, and has an alter ego the lush immoral Joyce Martell. Perry's Ploy: A shrink hypnotises Helen in court to turn her into Joyce. I didn't find this plot too convincing. Quotes: Perry- "A conviction cannot be obtained on the basis of a nightmare." And here's a confident DA Burger to Lt Tragg: "Mason is out of his mind. He's left himself wide open." 25 The Case of The Empty Tin 8* The Victim: Elston Carr, who with Hocksley and Lowell had been partners in a $2m fortune, only they'd fallen out. Hocksley's missing daughter was to inherit. The Accused: Doris Hocksley, who was found in a locked room beside Carr's corpse. Other characters: (obviously Doris must be innocent!) Miriam Hocksley and Alan Neil, Carr's nephew. Quote: Perry: "I know how Mr Burger is going to think." Perry's Ploy: In court he smashes the empty tin found in Carr's safe. "That's State's evidence," protest DA Burger. The Denouement: The killer confesses, then shoots themself, but even this is a phoney. Poor Burger moans, "don't ask us, Mason's running this show" 26 The Case of The Half Wakened Wife 3* (no Tragg/Burger) The Accused: Perry's old army buddy Frank Lawton, handyman to Scott Shelby, who has tried to frame Frank for his murder. The Victim: Shelby, though no sign of his corpse. But later he does turn up, dead. Quote when this corpse finally surfaces: "Do you have any more theories, Mr Mason?" The Only Suspect (seemingly): Ellen, who'd been having an affair with Shelby. Perry's Showdown: he makes mincemeat of the weak witness, Ellen's new husband, proving the true motive for the killing, using photographic evidence 27 The Case of The Desperate Daughter 6* The Accused: Miss Doris Bannister who has amnesia. The Victim: Stefan Riker who had had an affair with her, though she had only been playing along with him for a reason. Other characters: crippled Edward Bannister Doris' father, her stepmother an illegal immigrant from East Germany, and Gary Marshall Ed's farm foreman The Denouement: Perry's trump evidence is a plaster cast. Quotes: Lt Tragg: "what's good enough for my friend Mason, is good enough for me." Burger as Perry cross questions: "Your Honor, aren't we getting pretty far afield?" 28 The Case of The Daring Decoy 6* The Accused: Daniel Conway, fighting with Warner Griffith for control of Cal Texas Exploration. The Victim: Rose Calvert who had stolen documents from Conway's office to help his rival. Perry's Suspect: rather obviously is Griffith who was having an affair with Rose. But his alibi that he was in Phoenix seems watertight. Key Witness: Mavis, a lift attendant, can identify her passengers by their feet. It brings a moment of humor too. DA Burger's Quote: "You're right on form, Mason, misusing the basic safeguards of the law to suit your own purposes" 29 The Case of The Hesitant Hostess 4* The Accused: Albert Sanders, bum, thrown out of Danceland drunk. He's accused of robbing The Victims: Fred Archer, landlord at the Danceland Club, and Miss Martha Rayburn who runs the Danceland girls. Key Witness: To prove Martha is lying, Perry calls Inez, a Danceland girl, friend of The Other Victim: Kim Lane, another Danceland hostess. She's done in, and after her death, Inez goes missing. Key evidence: several identical purses given to the hostesses, used for smuggling heroin. Quote from DA Burger: "Mr Mason is insulting the intelligence of this court" 30 The Case of The Screaming Woman 10* The Victim: Mrs Mary K Davies, a columnist who'd been blackmailing Dr George Barnes to make him donate an orphaned baby to her. The Accused: Miss Leona Walsh, nurse to Dr Barnes, who runs this Seaside Hospital supplying illegally, babies to motherless women. Other characters; Connie Cooper (Ruta Lee), Mrs Davies' secretary, and her boyfriend Bob Schroeder. Ralph Davies, Mary's husband, was about to divorce her. Key evidence: Dr Barnes' book of his clients that Mrs Davies stole, Perry retrieves it by "highly unusual" means, then allows Barnes to burn it. More vital evidence: the dead woman's dictation cylinder. Perry adds to his dubious practices by getting an actress to imitate it and then tricking Tragg into confiscating it as evidence. Quotes: DA: "Your honor, Mr Mason is grabbing at straws." Perry in more sombre mood, "the practice of criminal law isn't slimy unless you make it that way." 30 The Case of The Fiery Fingers 6* The Victim: Louise Gordon whose husband George was having an affair with Charlotte. The Accused: Miss Nora Mae Quincey, her nurse who'd been handed some tablets by George to administer to his wife. She is eccentric but likeable. The Vital Clue: George's missing love letters. Perry's counter charge rebuffed: "That's a lie. I had absolutely nothing to gain." The Confession: I should have known it wouldn't work out." Final punchline. Mae decides on Perry's fee... it's $25. 32 The Case of The Substitute Face 7* The Victim: Karl Hauser, who had apparently embezzled $100,000 from his employer and whose body is apparently washed overboard the ship Westminster. The Accused: Mrs Anne Hauser, his wife. Key Prosecution Witness: Laura Hauser, his daughter, who had heard a gunshot before seeing a man being pushed into the sea. Perry's Naughty Bit: he plants fingerprint evidence to get DA Burder to find the elusive Evelyn Whitney, nurse to a mysteriously bandaged patient on the ship. Burger helpfully provides a fingerprint expert to prove the identity of the bandaged man. Quote from Burger: "Your honor, I can't help suspecting trickery" 33 The Case of The Long Legged Models 4* First Victim: Faulkner, landowner who won't sell out to a cut price consortium. The Killer: George Castle, who had a promissory note from Faulkner and was blackmailing him into selling. Second Victim: Castle. The Accused: Stephanie, Faulkner's daughter. Perry's Naughty Bit: he switches guns belonging to Stephanie's employer Garvin. Quotes: Tragg: "I'm not as young as I once was." An Admirer: "you're smart Mason, real smart." 34 The Case of The Gilded Lily 5* The Victim: Arthur Binney who was blackmailing The Accused: C Stewart Brent who'd just married Anne. Binney was threatening to expose her criminal record to him, while blackmailing the husband also. The Big Question: Who is Binney's (unseen) partner in crime? The Big Clue: Hibiscus Red lipstick. Showdown: At Perry's instigation, Anne poses a trick. Quote from Lt Tragg, a familiar line: "all right Mason, so you were right" 35 The Case of The Lazy Lover 7* The Victim: Bertie Allred, a mining man The Accused: Lucille, Bertie's wife, about to divorce him Other characters: Patricia, Bertie's stepdaughter. Bob Fleetwood, Bertie's secretary who has amnesia. Bernice Archer, Bob's girl. Quote. At last some encouragment for the downtrodden DA from the Judge: "Your evidence is ample, Mr Burger." Burger's usual concession at the end: "I guess I can't complain, Perry" 36 The Case of The Prodigal Parent 3* The Victim: Philip Larkin, boss of an import export company The Accused: Joseph Harrison, his stepfather who hadn't, he claims, seen his stepson for six months. The Murder Weapon: a revolver, Joseph's prints are found on the gun case. Key Evidence: At his trial, Burger produces a home movie showing Harrison assaulting the dead man. Quote: DA- "From where I sit, it means Mr Mason is guilty of unauthorized conduct." 37 The Case of The Black Eyed Blonde 5* The Victim: Marian Shaw having an affair with Tony, stepson of Matthew Bartlett, whose gun had been used to shoot her. The Accused: Diana Reynolds, Marian's roommate, who had been seen with a gun pointed at Marian. Her black eye came from Tony. Key Fact: Bartlett has a grandson, four year old Bobby, being looked after by his stepdaughter Norma. Quotes: Perry: "When I call him a liar, I want to be able to prove it." DA Burger: "Defense Counsel is obviously stallin' for time." The Denouement: this is unusually in hospital, a dying confession 38 The Case of The Terrified Typist 6* The Victim: George Baxter of the South African Diamond Co. The Accused: Duane Jefferson, trusted employee, also accused of stealing Baxter's diamonds. The Accused's Alibi: A lady he refuses to name The Mystery Witness: Mrs Taylor, who'd been involved with Duane before her marriage to a senator. The Verdict: Guilty, death sentence. Has Perry actually lost?! Perry's Last Minute Move: he produces a shock new person into court. Quotes: Defendant: "I agree completely with Mr Burger!" Paul Drake: "Poor Burger, all that work and then the judge orders a new trial" 39 The Case of The Rolling Bones 5* The Victim: Lewis, who may have been blackmailing the accused, who may also have tried to kill him years before. The Accused: Uncle David, aged 71, "the easiest going man in the world." The Likely Villain: Willard, his nephew who had committed his uncle to a sanatorium with senile dementia. Quotes: The defendant (whom Perry had got freed from the madhouse): "I know it sounds awful complicated, Mr Mason." Quote from Perry's detective Paul Drake: "That ought to keep Burger going round in circles." top of page