Perry Mason (TV Series) The Case of the Fan Dancer's Horse (1957) User Reviews

Featuring Judy Tyler

[jeffhanna3 · 8/10 · 19 June 2011]

Yes, the plot is confusing, but this one has lots of atmospheric touches that make it fun. The highlight is the gorgeous Judy Tyler as a "fan dancer." She was loaded with confidence, energy and sex appeal - and was an excellent actress. What a shame that she was killed in a car accident not long after this was filmed.

There is another actress named Susan Cummings who, like Judy Tyler, wears streetwalker outfits beautifully and is the last word in 1950's glamour.

Also some good jazzy music, the delicious Minerva Urecal doing one of her classic "suspicious old broad/landlady" bits, and even a car crash scene involving Perry and Della in a Ford convertible, a Mexican peasant woman in an old 1940's car, and a speeding tailgater driving a gorgeous 1956 Lincoln Premier.

Princess Judy

[darbski · 8/10 · 2 May 2017]

** SPOILERS** I admit that when her death was announced, I was stunned. What the heck; I was nine (like a previous viewer). Of course, I was also stunned to see her fan dancing on Perry Mason.

Now, I don't like to be too critical, but I've got to point out something to all viewers. This series began in 1958, and a lot of us old farts watched it while we went through the last half of grade school and then high school. I'll bet that a lot more of today's viewers are seeing it for their first time. I'm not going to ask anyone to "understand" what it was like then, because it would be impossible.

What I suggest is this, though. Try to forget all the detective shows, movies, books, CSI style sci-fi crime dramas, lawyer shows and almost everything else you've seen in your life, and THEN look at this series. Can't do it? Yup, I know. This series was based on a couple of things: 1: Terrific acting; I still don't think you'll find better. 2: A new episode every week. We now live in an are of supposed erudition in which even ten year olds are more grown up than we were as adults. Yeah, sure. We are lucky if our favorite shows are twenty episodes in a season, some are only ten for a year...A YEAR!! with that much time to prepare for a role, top level Shakespearean quality should be the rule; (some of them almost get there, though, I'll admit). With this show, it's the norm.

I believe a little tolerance is a quality that will yield big dividends when one considers the fact that these dramas were breaking new ground on television (Playhouse 90, et. al. noted). I ask only that. It criticized rather heavily the idea that money, high birth, position are more important than others are on any social scale. All are equalized in Perry's arena. I think that's why I like this program so much; the Americana of it.

This was a good episode, if a little confusing; mostly because there were two actresses that looked a lot alike. Judy almost got top notice over Barbara (close, though). Look a little deeper. Must have been difficult keeping in mind who was who, don't you think?

Worth watching for Judy Tyler alone

[tforbes-2 · 9/10 · 23 August 2011]

Given the timing of Judy Tyler's death, it is no surprise if the producers decided to delay the showing of this episode. It had to have been produced by the end of June, so a time lag is understandable.

As such, it is worth watching, since it is likely the last time Ms. Tyler appears on film. The episode is an interesting one, and a fine one to end its 1957 broadcasts on. Casting Susan Cummings was a cool move as well, and the music is cool as well. And there is an air of sexiness here that one normally does not see in a Mason episode.

Even if the episode itself is not a pure classic, Judy Tyler's appearance alone makes this worth watching!

Will the Real Lois Fenton Please Stand Up

[dougdoepke · 2 November 2009]

Perry and Della happen on a roadside wreck, discover some expensive ostrich plumes, and advertise for the owner. This sets off a strange set of events where two look-alike women (Cummings and Tyler) both claim to be the same woman, and an aggressive man (Sanders) claims Perry is hiding a horse, of all things. It's a pretty complicated plot, and I confess to getting lost at times. But that's okay because the main reason to catch this entry lies elsewhere. There's some good snappy dialogue from Tragg, while Perry gets snappy himself and cuts a few legal corners, at the same time. He's still an interesting character in these early episodes, before becoming the predictably model attorney of later entries.

Note too, from the byplay, how the writers still haven't decided exactly how to handle the relationship between the handsome Perry and the attractive Della. But that scene between Perry and Chi- Chi (Tyler) in her skin-tight leotards may be the most unabashedly sexual of the entire series, and I'm a bit surprised it passed the watchdogs of Standards and Practices. Be sure to focus on the star-crossed Judy Tyler who was tragically killed shortly after this episode and her co-starring role with Elvis in his classic Jailhouse Rock (1957). She's obviously quite talented, with a good career in the making. Sometimes it's hard to remember there are real people behind these make-believe roles, especially when they appear so full of life, as she does. What a shame.

When Short Shorts Were Risque

[therealjohnhood · 10/10 · 14 May 2022]

Oh for the days when fan dancers were the pinnacle of titulation! It really makes for some rather charming exchanges! It also allows one woman to wield short shorts like a weapon!

Susan Cummings > Judy Tyler

[XweAponX · 10/10 · 30 October 2023]

These two women do not look anything alike. Also, I had never heard that Judy had passed before the episode had even aired. She was rather good in this episode, although not looking like Susan Cummings at all... it's sad.

It all starts with an old car overturning... and Della finds a pair of peacock feathers. Oh yes, and a man on a horse, escaping from a mansion.

What was shocking here is that for 1957, they do show a lot of "Fan Dancer", and Cheri Chi-Chi's body.

But Susan Cummings was still better.

Interesting case, which includes a Japanese sword... so maybe there is a connection to Kill Bill.

You can always tell the episodes based upon Earle Stanley Gardner's books, they are always very complex.

Very enjoyable and intriguing episode, especially where it shows Paul drake using "modern" spy equipment.

Confused - you will be!

[lucyrf · 9/10 · 29 June 2020]

And I can understand the plot of Tinker, Tailor...

There is not one but three Lois Fentons. (Are not?) Two women who are sharing an identity as a fan dancer, and another one brought in by the police just to confuse the issue. I think.

The husband of one of them is killed with a samurai sword which he JUST HAPPENED to bring to a hotel room, where he'd gone to - do what, exactly? Are there two lookalike young men, one of them being one of the Lois Fentons' brother? Have I got that apostrophe in the right place? I think I wasn't concentrating enough in the first scene, thinking it was going to be set on a ranch. I hate those episodes. I prefer the nightclub ones.

Judy Taylor, who tragically died soon after filming, gives a great turn as the Lois who is using the identity to get work in a nightclub.

Anyway, never mind the plot - just enjoy! (Lieut Tragg grows on me - his lines are witty and he delivers them with such panache.)

To the person who said "forget every detective series you've ever seen" - this one wrote the script. I keep recognising scenarios from Murder She Wrote.

Perry's not ambulance chasing

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 8 June 2012]

The 15th episode of the first season of Perry Mason was the farewell performance of young Judy Tyler recently of Broadway, Elvis Presley and the Howdy Doody Show. She had one bright promising career and on this Perry Mason episode she showed a lot of verve and style as a Sally Rand like fan dancer.

It would almost seem like he's ambulance chasing but Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale are in fact just driving along and they witness an accident. That leads the whole crew into a story involving a stolen quarter horse, an estranged husband, and two women who look somewhat alike, one of whom is married to the estranged husband and becomes Burr's client and the other is Judy Tyler.

The story is a confused one, but this show breaks the paradigm somewhat in that the real perpetrator isn't discovered at trial. Burr knows who it is, but he lets William Talman figure it out on his own.

For a 9 year old late of the Howdy Doody Show by a few years the death of Princess Summerfallwinterspring was quite the childhood trauma. Judy really steals this Perry Mason show from the rest of the cast.

Early "Perry Mason" Episode, Notable for Judy Tyler's Role

[mrb1980 · 7/10 · 24 June 2013]

"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.

Judy Tyler's last TV performance

[kfo9494 · 6/10 · 7 November 2011]

In the first few minutes of this early 'Perry Mason' episode we have some very interesting things happen. We witness a burglary, a shooting, a car wreck, finding a fan-dancer's props and get a man complaining about a horse. We fasten our seat belts cause we know we are in for a wild ride.

But then we slow way down when the story hinges on two beautiful women that look almost alike and have the same occupation. Unless you are keen to the subtle differences in each women it can get confusing. Both women are going by the name Lois Felton- so when someone is talking about Lois- is it the real Lois or the other Lois? At times i was confused to which Lois went to a room at 2am and when the other Lois went at 220am.

The time is critical since Lois's (one of them)ex-husband is found murdered and it seems everyone in the cast went to see the dead guy from about 2am till 245am. And this was again confusing when you have people's testimony in the courtroom scenes.

Even with the lag in the middle of the episode it comes together in the end to make it an enjoyable watch. Along the way we get good banner from Lt Tragg and regular frustration from Hamilton Burger. There is also this one scene when a police detective fails to notify the DA that two line-ups were used. The detective was so embarrassed that he tried to flee the courtroom. That was odd.

Could have been better but it passes the mark.

Note- Last TV show for Judy Tyler. She had died in a car wreck on July 3rd 1957- five months before the episode aired on December 28th.

Worst so far, IMHO.

[juliusdownes · 3/10 · 23 January 2010]

The last couple of weeks I started watching the box set of the complete Season 1 Perry Mason. Most episodes have been average to excellent but I watched this episode with my mum and we were completely bemused by it. There is a lot going on in the story but not much tying it together, what does tie it together often does not make sense either. The craziest part appears to be that the "Lois Fenton" who Perry is defending in court has been set up by the police / prosecution who are hiding the other "Lois Fenton" (I can't remember which way round it's supposed to be), they are knowingly lying to court that she has been correctly identified and the police had even arranged a fake identification as part of the ruse. Why they would do this is unknown and why it doesn't raise more eyebrows is even stranger still.

A horse is a horse of coarse of coarse

[kapelusznik18 · 5 July 2014]

***SPOILERS*** No it's not the famous Mister Ed who's the horse in this confusing Perry Mason, Raymond Burr, episode by the seven year old palomino named Starelight who's been horse-napped and held hostage until the truth comes out about just what connection the horse's owner John Callender, Hugh Sanders, has to do with an accident that got Perry Mason as a Good Sumerian get involved in this strange and baffling case. Perry for his part had no good feeling about Callender after he made a complete a** of himself by busting into his office and accusing Perry of trying to either shake down or blackmail him.

It wasn't that long after that Callender was found stabbed to death, with a Japanese Samurai Sword, in his hotel room with Lois Fenton, Susan Commings, not only being the prime murder suspect but in secret Callender's estranged wife. We go from a horse-napping to a murder to a case of mistaken identity that seem so unconnected to each other that it's like watching three different episodes all at the same time. Perry of course has no trouble, with the help of the screenwriters, in figuring out this mess of a murder mystery but doesn't do it in the courtroom like you would expect but over coffee and crumpets at a local diner. It's there Perry explains to both a less then interested Della Street & Paul Drake, Barbara Hale & William Hopper,who Callender's killer was as if they really cared to know!

This Perry Mason episode was the last screen or TV appearance of actress and former star of the Howdy Doodie Show Judy Tyler who played the duel role of Irene Kilby and fan dancer Cherie Chi-Chi. Judy was killed together with her husband on July 3, 1957 in a car smash up in Wyoming. At the time of her death Judy was about to make a major breakthrough in the movies with hit's like "Bop Girl goes Calypso" and "jailhouse Rock" co-staring with "The King" himself Elvis Presley. Like the late James Dean who also was tragically killed in a car accident just as he was about to become a major star Judy was 24 years old at the time of her death.

Quite a Pair

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 19 November 2021]

This is a lesser Mason episode where Paul and Perry are driving around when a car tips over when passed by a hot rodding car. This leads to a fan dancer and a valuable horse and a murder. Also a case of mistaken identity. It's a little bit disjointed.

The Case of the Fan Dancer's Horse

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 31 October 2021]

This is the kind of story that the writers had trouble distilling into a coherent television episode.

Stirling Silliphant who wrote the episode later went on to win a Best Screenplay Oscar.

Perry and Della go to help an elderly Mexican lady involved in a roadside accident. They find some ostrich feathers in the car and advertise for the owner.

The owner of the feathers is famous fan dancer Cherie-Chi-Chi.

It leads Perry Mason to a man called Callender who has had his horse stolen. Later he is found dead, stabbed by a samurai sword.

The suspect turns out to be Cherie-Chi-Chi, his wife!

As Perry discovers, there are two women passing themselves off as the fan dancer Cherie-Chi-Chi. One of them is rather sexually provocative. As she tells Mason, she photographs well.

The story is too convoluted and it also looks like a much early episode that was filmed but inserted later on in the series.

Perry Mason himself does a lot of investigating here. There is not much in way of courtroom scenes. Hamilton Burger's conduct looks rather unethical. I have no idea what were the police motive to switch the two Cherie's in the identity line up. The killer is not caught but the real Cherie's brother is the main suspect.

Typical PM - plus overacting

[pmike-11312 · 1/10 · 18 June 2021]

Like virtually all PM episodes, this one is full of poor writing (dialogue especially), very poor directing, and ridiculously twisted and unfathomable plot-lines. This one also has the aforementioned (by others here) Judy Tyler, whose spectacular overacting is anything but sexy or alluring (Susan Cummings wasn't any better). If she hadn't died shortly after this, I wonder if anyone would be extolling her acting abilities.