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Justandyandme
Reviews
Perry Mason: The Case of the Fanciful Frail (1966)
Just who REALLY are the stars here?
For the most of Perry Mason's nine-season run, the series is punctuated by a vast collection of famous TV stars from the start in 1957. Their faces pop out at boomer viewers and cause us to remember and say : "Hey...he was on so-and-so as __________ ", or " She played a great witchy character in _________ ". But towards the end of the series run, it becomes very obvious to me that the stars get somewhat upstaged by "automobile counterparts", if you will. For me, as well as perhaps millions of auto buffs, the " CARS ARE THE STARS " in numerous episodes of this last season of Perry Mason. This episode, "The Case of the Fanciful Frail", from 1966, epitomizes this concept perfectly. Younger viewers may also notice this as self-serving commercialism at a glance and come to appreciate it as a kink in television history as well.
Raymond Burr always appears in a top-of-the-line , brand new convertible (or retractable hardtop). He seemed to get a new car every year. Their use conveyed his character and successful career in the series. Yet, on the other hand, the cars used in this production, almost seem to steal the camera (and perhaps some of the limelight from supporting cast.) The camera seems to dwell at times on the action of the sheet metal, instead of the actors, as it makes it's sometimes graceful way and sometimes dramatic way across the little screen in numerous scenes here and there again. Thus, it's not rocket science to figure out that one or another of the Detroit " Big 3 " sponsored Perry Mason at one time or another. Their sponsorship influence upon the screen play is obvious and cannot be overstated : to promote a popular consumerism with their product viewed fashionably and favorably. One can pick up on this easily, in "The Case of the Fanciful Frail".
I'm not spoiling it for you !
You tell me who was the commercial sponsor of Perry Mason at this particular point in time, or any of numerous other points in time, of this fabulous, behind-the-scenes, television history.
It only takes a glance.
Perry Mason: The Case of the Weary Watchdog (1962)
" How far would you go for a friend? "
Perry Mason's "The Case of the Weary Watchdog" is a complicated but good story involving stolen Chinese art objects, incriminating photos, and international blackmail between Chinese-Americans and those trapped behind the "Bamboo Curtain". It's a great episode that even snares his secretary into a possible charge of accessory to murder herself . But don't get too mired in the confusing details of the other reviews here. Just watch "The Case of the Weary Watchdog" for a great example of the very special relationship between Perry and Della on the series and the only episode in the history of the series where she asks Perry for TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! . . . and his response to that, as well as her previous question as phrased in the summary line above.
Perry Mason: The Case of the Deadly Verdict (1963)
Is it Earl Stanley Gardiner, . . . or Alfred Hitchcock here?
This is another one of the so-called "lost" episodes of Perry Mason. But as any true fan knows, Perry NEVER lost. It may begin with a jury's death sentence, but the episode is young when this happens, and Perry prevails. Just how he prevails makes this one of the best of the series' 9-year run.
Along with the death sentence, there's a lot of darkness and brooding here. . . both very uncharacteristic traits of the series. However, the element in this episode that stands out the most to me is the FABULOUS deja vu from none other than Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho"! Norman Bates only predated the original airing of "The Case of the Deadly Verdict" by a short 3 years. One almost expects to see the familiar, line-drawing silhouette of the dry-witted genius to appear during the end credits.
What an amazing, would-be combination: the Master of Courtroom Drama with the Master of Suspense!
Perry Mason: The Case of the Screaming Woman (1958)
Great Epilogue
It's true.
Viewers will want screaming Mary K. Davis, a scandalous, newspaper gossip columnist to die, in Perry Mason's, "The Case of The Screaming Woman".
And she does! Blackmailers almost always do on this series.
Mary K needs to have a baby to preserve her failing marriage. She believes that is the only thing to prevent her husband from divorcing her, and possibly ruining her career. She decides to upset the best intentions of Dr. Barnes illegitimate adoption process of finding suitable parents for illegitimate children, by blackmailing him with exposure of the unwed mothers who used his service, unless he reconsiders not giving her a child. If only Dr. Barnes hadn't kept a written record of the whole process, Mary K wouldn't have gotten her hands on it.
The other reviews here are adequate. The only thing I wish to add is that this episode of Perry Mason has one of the best epilogues : Deadpan Lt. Tragg and his envelope of shattered dictating cylinders provides the perfect comic relief at the end of this most severe, melodramatic and perhaps best episode of Perry Mason's nine-season run.