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#102: The Case of the
Clumsy Clown
Original Airdate: 11/05/60

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
Murder as a three-ring circus. A famous clown named Felix is secretly married to a woman who is "pretending" to be married to the owner of the circus they both work for. When a struggle for control of the circus breaks out, the clown comes to Perry for advice.

Paul, Perry, and Della go to the circus and are surprised to see Lt. Tragg is also attending. During the performance the horrified onlookers see a clown shoot and kill one of the circus's owners in the middle of the act, then run from the tent. When Felix is later charged with the murder, Perry has to figure out who was really in that clown suit.

Credits Edit

Cast

Kenneth Tobey as Deputy D.A. Alvin
Chana Eden as Lisa Franklin
Douglas Henderson as Felix Heidemann
Maggie Hayes as Joyce Gilbert
Walter Sande as Judd Curtis
Willard Sage as Tony Gilbert
Robert Clarke as Jerry Franklin
Ken Curtis as Tim Durant
Lillian Bronson as Judge
Jon Lormer as Autopsy Surgeon
Russ Thompson as Ring Master

Trivia Edit

+Ken Curtis makes his only Perry appearance here playing Tim Durant. Most people remember Ken Curtis as Deputy Festus Haggen for 16 years on Gunsmoke. But previous to his stint as Festus, Ken Curtis was a member of the western singing group "The Sons of The Pioneers". The Sons of The Pioneers were fronted by a pretty famous singing cowboy, Roy Rogers. Submitted by PaulDrake 33.

+The act before Heidemann the Clown is a husband and wife act called "The Gilberts". The act consists of shooting objects with live ammunition inside a tent full of spectators. At the conclusing of the act Tony Gilbert shoots a pistol directly at the crowd. There is only a small board to stop the bullet. No wonder all the circuses are out of business today. Submitted by PaulDrake 33.

Comments Edit

This episode features one of Paul's trademarks, taking notice of a lovely lady. When Paul follows Perry from the ring area of the circus tent into the performer's dressing area a "lovely lady" in very tight shorts passes by. Paul nearly twists his head off to look at her "assets". Submitted by Kenmore 11/10/09

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