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#10: The Case of the
Runaway Corpse
Original Airdate: 11/23/57

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
Ed Davenport accuses his wife, Myrna, of poisoning him. He also claims to have a letter from Myrna's dead uncle that says she poisoned him, too. Myrna consults Perry, but when they learn that Davenport is in the hospital, dying of arsenic poisoning, Perry works fast to cover for Myrna. When Tragg arrives to investigate Davenport's death, the incriminating letter is out of sight--but so is Davenport's body. Perry must buy time until he can prove Myrna's innocence. Burger goes after Perry for tampering with evidence, but loses as usual.

PMESG

Credits Edit

Cast

June Dayton as Myrna Davenport
James Maloney as Dr. Renault
Sarah Selby as Louise Ansel
Adam Williams as Jason Beckmeyer
Rebecca Welles as Rita Norge
John Stephenson as Ed Davenport
Michael Fox as Dr. Hoxie
William Challee as Mr. Medford
Keith Alan as Officer Boom
Robin Morse as Dr. Mitchell
Martha Wentworth as Motel Manager
Jack Kenney as Kenny
Ed Jerome as Judge
Jack Harris as Court Clerk

Trivia Edit

CARS: 1957 Cadillac convertible, black w/ black & white int., white top up (Mason), 1957 Pontiac Star Chief convertible, medium color, top down, 1954 Buick Special convertible, medium color, top down, 1957 Buick Special 4dr sedan (Police). Cameos: 1957 Corvette, white, top down (Drake), 1955 Chevrolet Nomad, 1957 Chevrolet BelAir 4dr sedan, light color. From The Cars by Greg Cockerill.

A great blooper! Two of the main characters, Myrna Davenport and her cousin Louise, are in conference with Perry in his office. "Louise" turns to "Myrna" and says "Louise, there's something I didn't tell you...Ed's very ill..." Submitted by Rodney Pendell, 7/11/02.

The Gauges on the oxygen tank in the motel room show pressure when Dr. Renault checks them. A few seconds later, there's no pressure. Pictures here. Submitted by daveb, date unknown.

Comments Edit

Myrna inherited $280000 or $2062371.58 in 2007 dollars. Only $40000 ($294624.51) is left. Beckmeyer had $210000 ($1546778.69) in his trailer. The police had the $17000 ($125215.42) that Norge had turned over. Let's see: 210000 + 40000 + 17000 is 267000. So there's been a net loss of 13000 ($95752.97). Besides being a crook and a skunk, Ed Davenport seems to have been a pretty lousy businessman, too. billp 12/27/2008.

On E. Davenport's real estate business' "for sale" sign we see: 8 room, 2 bath, 60' x 150' (lot), $35000; 4 family flat, 8 (car) garage, built 1948, $ 30500; and Tri-plex, $27500. In 2007 dollars these properties would be worth $257796.45, $224651.19 and $202554.35 respectively. I don't know what California properties run now, but I'm getting the distinct impression housing was a lot more affordable in California back then than now - if these 1957 prices were realistic. billp 12/27/08

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