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#175: The Case of the
Velvet Claws
Original Airdate: 03/21/63

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
This episode is based on Erle Stanley Gardner's first Perry Mason book. A photographer snaps a picture of prominent politician Harrison Burke and a married woman, Eva Belter, as they leave a local gambling establishment. Harrison is concerned for his career but Eva is afraid of what her husband: George Belter, will do. She goes to Perry for help, telling him that her name is Griffin and that a scandal sheet called Spicy Bits is blackmailing her.

Perry has a personal interest in seeing the publication closed down because a friend of his committed suicide over a piece that appeared in it.

That night, Perry gets a call from Eva telling him that Belter has been shot. She also intimates that she heard Perry and Belter arguing earlier in the evening.

Perry could become the prime murder suspect in this case.

Credits Edit

Cast

Patricia Barry as Eva Belter
James Philbrook as Harrison Burke
Wynn Pearce as Carl Griffin
Virginia Gregg as Mrs. Vickers
Anna-Lisa as Norma Vickers
Richard Webb as George Belter
Harry Jackson as Frank Locket
Peter Leeds as Photographer
Paul Barselow as Expert
Cathie Merchant as Esther Linten
Ron Stokes as Deputy
Don Lynch as Traffic Officer
Kathy Willow as Switchboard Girl
Buddy Ochoa as Bellboy

Trivia Edit

About 16:30 minutes into the episode after a heated argument between Perry and George Belter they head down a flight of stairs. It seems apparent that the actor, Richard Webb, stumbles on the stairs and pitches forward until Raymond Burr catches him. There is a moment when the actors look at one another ...then back in character as Belter, Webb mutters "Get your hand off my arm." Classic.

Comments Edit

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