Show7
This is the only time you hear the “romantic” version of the Perry Mason theme as Della drives Mason’s car up to the lake cabin he’s “roughing it” in. It comes equipped with three bathrooms and Paul Drake at the fridge. Submitted by Dedra Kaye, 3/21/08.
+ Not quite: we get a few notes of it in the next lakeside-set show, TCOT Half-Wakened Wife. Added by Notcom, 081516.
++ And it is heard in TCOT Fatal Verdict (by happenstance both shows were aired yesterday)...insofar as the latter has as one of its main plot points a "beach cabin", perhaps it should be called not the "romantic" version, but the "waterside" version. Notcom, 062422.
I remember William Boyett from his run (119 episodes) in the Adam-12 series as Sgt. MacDonald. Submitted by daveb, 8/28/09.
Perry literally strong-arms the elderly Belle Adrian. He grips her right arm, shakes her, and loudly asks her if she committed the murder. Afterward, he is gentle with her. At the end of the show, Perry tells Belle that he knew all along that she could never commit a murder. Submitted by MikeM, 10/7/2012
This is an unusually straightforward adaptation of the novel. Simplified, of course, to fit the allowed time, it features most of the same plot points with the same defendant, victim and murderer; and most of the characters have the same or similar names (Carla/Carlotta, e.g.) as in the novel, including Darwin Hale, George Lansing, Bert Elmore and even the gossiping Hazel (so why was Arthur changed to Mark?). Much of the dialogue in the courtroom comes from the novel as well. About the only differences were that in the novel Harvey Delano was also Carlotta/Carla's lawyer and Betsy Burris was described as "heavyweight" and having "waddled her way to the witness stand." Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 12/8/13.
Objection! This episode contains the first occurrence of the classic "That's irrelevant, incompetent, and immaterial!" objection. Submitted by 65tosspowertrap, 3/16/2014.
Another episode wherein Perry lights a cigarette but stubs it out without smoking it. It happens in his cabin at his first meeting with Belle Adrian. jfh 30Apr2018.
Fingerprints played an important role in AM; "In 1882, Gilbert Thompson of the US Geological Survey in New Mexico used his own fingerprints on a document to prevent forgery. This is the 1st known use of fingerprints in the United States," the US Marshals website observes. Mike Bedard 3.30.15
Sorry... Is this the Only case in which Perry says, "I'm sorry, ___" to the murderer after the cross-examination? Mike Bedard 3.31.15
The presence of Joan Weldon and Barbara Eden makes this one of the more pleasant PM viewing experiences, right up there with TCOT Envious Editor, #108 (with Barbara Lawrence and Sara Shane) and any episode that includes Lisa Gaye. Submitted by BobH, 27 January 2018.
Norah Fleming's breathy performance on the witness stand reminds me of Jane Russell on the witness stand in the penultimate scene of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". The establishing shot of the courthouse is obviously old stock footage - not a car much later than 1935. DOD 05/25/20
Perry is apparently rousted out of bed early in the morning by Belle Adrian but he is clean-shaven! Kilo 5/28/2020.
Love the description about Barbara Eden in the Perry Mason book: "luscious" ;-) Submitted by HamBurger, 12/28/2022
Although thoroughly entertaining, this episode has amongst the least surprising resolutions: Bert is the next door neighbor and admits he wouldn't mind seeing the victim dead...but the audience is (perhaps) fooled by a clever ruse: when confronted, he just flat out lies* !!
Notcom 050517.
*(Having viewed the episode again, it appears he actually does something that is ultimately telling: he evades the question...I'm a killer, but I'm not liar! Notcom 062322.)
Motive? But what was the murderer's motive? Clothears 27th Sept 2019
He admits to the sheriff that he still resents Cushing having cheated him in some real estate deal. I agree, though, that this is about the flimsiest motive of the whole series. My question - how would he know about a gun in the glove box of Carla’s car? DOD 05/25/20
Sorry... Perry has a relationship with both Burrises. They have been neighbors as long as Perry has owned his cabin; I'm sure Sam and Perry have fished together and probably the Burrises have done favors for Perry. He's truly sorry for the pain he's causing them in exposing Sam as the killer.
When seeking Perry's help at the start of the program, neighbor Belle Adrian tells her tale of lies and Perry treats her roughly (shocks her to get her back into reality). He doesn't cut her off from aid as Perry is kind to those close to him. Jared 10 May 21.
Owning up I don't believe Perry owns the cabin; or, at least if he does he's new to it - certainly Della has never been there before - as all of his introductions to the various characters are those of a stranger, not a resident...even an occasional one. Contrast, this, for example with TCOT Violent Village, where Perry greets the Sheriff by name. Notcom, 051021.