"Perry Mason" episodes settled into a formula right from the beginning of the series in 1957. Rotten scoundrel causes trouble for numerous people, many of whom vow to kill him/her; Perry's client visits on a matter unrelated to the scoundrel; the scoundrel's body is found (often by Mason and/or Paul Drake); Mason's client is charged but Perry is sure he/she is innocent; real killer is unmasked, usually in court (he/she either breaks down into a confession, or makes a dash for the exit, only to be restrained by the bailiff); Perry, Paul, and Della recap the story, usually over dinner or coffee.
This episode is unique because it stars Judy Tyler, whose blossoming Hollywood career was tragically cut short by a fatal car accident when she was 24. Tyler plays Cherie-Chi-Chi (aka Irene Kilby), an exotic fan dancer who has assumed the persona of Lois Fenton (Susan Cummings). After Lois Fenton is charged, lots of confusion ensues since she and Cherie-Chi-Chi look so much alike. Lois Fenton's innocent-looking brother Jasper actually committed the murder, and is exposed (as usual) at the end.
The episode has a good guest cast (including Tyler, Cummings, and Robert Bice as one of Paul Drake's operatives), a good story, and very high production values. However, it will always be remembered as Judy Tyler's last role, and was broadcast after her death. Although Tyler's role wasn't a major one, she is seen to good advantage and acts a little naughty, at least for 1957.
We can add Tyler's name to the what-might-have-been list that includes Dorothy Stratten, Dominique Dunne, Robert Francis, Olive Thomas, Wallace Reid, Marilyn Miller, James Dean, and many others. She would now be 80 and we can only wonder what she would have accomplished if she had lived.
This episode is unique because it stars Judy Tyler, whose blossoming Hollywood career was tragically cut short by a fatal car accident when she was 24. Tyler plays Cherie-Chi-Chi (aka Irene Kilby), an exotic fan dancer who has assumed the persona of Lois Fenton (Susan Cummings). After Lois Fenton is charged, lots of confusion ensues since she and Cherie-Chi-Chi look so much alike. Lois Fenton's innocent-looking brother Jasper actually committed the murder, and is exposed (as usual) at the end.
The episode has a good guest cast (including Tyler, Cummings, and Robert Bice as one of Paul Drake's operatives), a good story, and very high production values. However, it will always be remembered as Judy Tyler's last role, and was broadcast after her death. Although Tyler's role wasn't a major one, she is seen to good advantage and acts a little naughty, at least for 1957.
We can add Tyler's name to the what-might-have-been list that includes Dorothy Stratten, Dominique Dunne, Robert Francis, Olive Thomas, Wallace Reid, Marilyn Miller, James Dean, and many others. She would now be 80 and we can only wonder what she would have accomplished if she had lived.