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#141: The Case of the
Tarnished Trademark
Original Airdate: 01/20/62

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
Axel Norstaad, employer of a small Danish community of furniture craftsmen, is hoodwinked into selling their much respected trademark to Martin Somers on a promise that the profits will build a children’s hospital.

When Axel learns that Somers is a con artist, he’s enraged and wants to bash in the crook’s skull. Although someone beats him to it, Axel is arrested for the murder anyway. To complicate matters, Axel is in love with Edie Morrow, whom he suspects of foul play in the matter.

It’s a tough one for Perry, but well worth the win.

Credits Edit

Opening

Starring Raymond Burr
in The Case of THE TARNISHED TRADMARK
Based upon characters created by Erle Stanley Gardner
Barbara Hale, William Hopper, William Talman, Ray Collins

Trailing

Directed by Jerry Hopper
Written by Oliver Crawford and Maurice Zimm

“Perry Mason”
Arthur Marks | Producer
Gail Patrick Jackson | Executive Producer
Jackson Gillis | Associate Producer
Produced by The CBS Television Network in association with Paisano Productions
Samuel Newman | Story Consultant

Raymond Burr as Perry Mason
Barbara Hale as Della Street
William Hopper as Paul Drake
William Talman as Hamilton Burger
Ray Collins as Lt. Tragg

Cast

Karl Swenson as Axel Norstaad
Osa Massen as Lisa Pedersen
Marie Windsor as Edie Morrow
Malcolm Atterbury as Maigret
Phillip Terry as Latham Reed
Wesley Lau as Lt. Anderson
Dennis Patrick as Martin Somers
Morgan Woodward as Carl Pedersen
Edward Norris as Sam Hadley
Francis De Sales as Floyd Chapman
S. John Launer as Judge
Tommy Farrell as Salesman
William Tracy as Motel Manager
Thom Carney as Policeman
Don Dillaway as Ramsey
Robert Ball as Clerk
Stafford Repp as Bartender
Lisa Davis as Secretary
James Hansen as Attendant
Frank Hagney as 1st Workman
Harry Strang as 2nd Workman
Ted White as Foreman

Uncredited Actors
Don Anderson as 2nd Policeman
Bert Stevens as Craftsman

Crew

Director of Photography … Robert G. Hager
Art Direction … Lewis Creber
Assistant Director … Gordon Webb
Film Editor … Richard H. Cahoon, A.C.E.
Casting … Harvey Clermont
Makeup … Irving Pringle
Hair Stylist … Annabell
Wardrobe Supervision … Ed McDermott, Evelyn Carruth
Set Decoration … Charles Q. Vassar
Properties … Ray Thompson
Production Sound Mixer … Herman Lewis
Script Supervision … M.E.M. Gibsone
Sound … Glen Glenn Sound Co.
Automobiles Supplied by … Ford Motor Company
Titles and Opticals … Pacific Title

Perry Mason \ A Film Presentation
A CBS Television Network Production

Trivia Edit

When Edie Morrow takes the stand, she’s wearing a narrow brimmed hat. When the camera angle changes, so does her hat. The original hat reappears later in the scene only to change again shortly afterward. See all here. Submitted by daveb, date unknown.
+ Isn’t that the same hat? I think it’s elliptical, not circular. From the side it looks narrow. From front or back it looks wide. Submitted by alan_sings, 9/18/2010.

Character Names: Maigret’s first initial is J, though we never learn what it stands for. The Policeman’s name is Lars (but unclear as to whether first or last). “Edie” is a nickname for Edith Morrow. The motel manager’s name is Mr. Swetson. Submitted by gracep, 12/15/2010.

Uncredited Actors: In the first scene, Bert Stevens appears as a craftsman listening to Norstaad’s announcement. In the facotry he reappears twice—once behind Norstaad and once in front of Mason)—each time carrying a partially-made chair. Submitted by gracep, 12/15/2010.
+ Don Anderson plays the silent police officer in the background as the body is discovered. (He’s in the picture on this page.) Submitted by gracenote, 7/18/2011.

Sightings: That might be Distinguished Lady #1 in the courtroom gallery. The Pencil Mustache Man also peeks in, barely onscreen near the end of the hearing. Read more about these and other favorite frequent faces here. Submitted by gracep, 12/15/2010.
+ In the opening scene, Distinguished Gentleman #1 plays a workman listening with rapt attention to Norstaad. Sporting a cap, he is inconspicuous, as usual. Submitted by gracenote, 7/18/2011.

Although credited, Lt. Tragg (Ray Collins) does not appear, leaving Lt. Anderson to do all the work. Submitted by gracep, 12/16/2010

When Perry meets a fellow attorney for a “meeting of the bar” at a restaurant, the latter is partCurious Coffee Set. He offers Perry and Della some coffee with the set, too, but only Della indulges. A lady in the background may also be using it. Submitted by gracenote, 7/18/2011.

Goof: On the stand, Osa Massen (as Lisa Pederson) accidentally refers to Norstaad’s Danish trademark as German. Submitted by gracenote, 7/18/2011.

Location: About 16 minutes in Axel's Danish Furniture factory is at 17001 Ventura Blvd in Encino CA 91316. If you Google map it you can see an excellent view. Della and Perry exit their car parked next to Encino Park and Della walks into 17001 Ventura Blvd. for some pastries while Perry continues on to Axel's at 17003 Ventura Blvd. which you can faintly see to the right of his head on a good DVD copy. On one shot you can also see Monty's steakhouse across the street. That was a Valley landmark until it burned down in 1988. Submitted by Eric Cooper 22 Dec 11.

Comments Edit

Say…what happened to Stafford Repp’s Irish brogue, heard when he played Chief O’Hara in the 1960s Batman? Could it have been affected just for the series?!? Submitted by gracep, 12/15/2010.

One of my favorite quotes from the series is when Axel tells Perry, “Don’t make your lawyer talk with me!” Submitted by Masonite, 7/18/2011.

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