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#185: The Case of the
Deadly Verdict
Original Airdate: 10/03/63 Revised

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
Here it is: the case that Perry Mason lost . . .

The jury returns from their chambers to give the verdict on case number CR11532; the State of California vs. Perry's client, Janice Barton. They find Janice guilty of murdering her invalid Aunt Amanda and sentence her to die in the gas chamber.

How did Perry manage to lose a case? Well, for one thing, Janice lied about where she was at the time someone gave her aunt poison instead of medicine.

Perry is troubled. The evidence stacks up against Janice but he still has a hunch. And as long as he has one of those hunches, he'll keep looking for the real killer. In this case, it turns out to be someone very unexpected.

Credits Edit

Opening

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

Trailing

Directed by Jesse Hibbs
Written by Jonathan Latimer
Art Seid | Producer
Gail Patrick Jackson | Executive Producer
Jackson Gillis | Associate Producer
Samuel Newman | Story Consultant

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

Cast

Julie Adams as Janice Barton
Joan Tompkins as Emily Green
Erin O’Brien-Moore as Letitia Simmons
Jan Shepard as Paulette Nevin
Stephen Franken as Christopher Barton
Lee Bergere as Dr. Nevin
Hollis Irving as Violet Barton Ames
Mike Mazurki as Arthur Jacks
Marie Worsham as Elizabeth Carson
Sally Hughes as Dr. Faulkner
S. John Launer as Judge Ryder
Robert Gibbons as Foreman
Olan Soulé as Court Clerk
Michael Fox as Dr. Hoxie
Holly Harris as Matron No. 2
Kathleen O'Malley as Matron No. 1
Sherry Hall as Bailiff
Bernie Gozier as Indian Guide

Uncredited Actors
Bert Stevens as Juror

Crew

“Perry Mason”
Director of Photography … Howard Schwartz, A.S.C.
Art Direction … Lewis Creber
Assistant Director … Gordon A. Webb
Film Editor … Al Clark, A.C.E.
Casting … Harvey Clermont
Makeup … Irving Pringle
Hair Stylist … Annabell
Wardrobe Supervision … Ed McDermott, Evelyn Carruth
Set Decoration … Carl Biddiscome
Properties … Ray Thompson
Production Sound Mixer … Herman Lewis
Script Supervision … Marshall Schlom
Theme Composed by … Fred Steiner
Automobiles Supplied by … Ford Motor Company

Perry Mason
Produced by the CBS Television Network in association with Paisano Productions

Trivia Edit

Anomaly: Lee Begere, listed at Dr. Nevin, is called Dr. Nivens by Perry and others. Jan Shepard, who plays his wife, is called Mrs. Nivens. Posted by daveb, 12/20/2007.
+ Burger, however, addresses him as “Dr. Nevins” at least once. And Nurse Elizabeth calls “Nevins,” too. Perry Mason says “Nevins” during the scene with the nurse, but then in the very next scene reverts to “Nivens.” Finally, throughout the broadcast no matter how pronounced, the name is spelled “Nevins” in the captions for the deaf (at least those supplied by VITAC for broadcast today). Submitted by gracep, 2/15/2011.

David Sadowski noted in the Perry_Mason Yahoo! group that this high-impact episode was aired on 10/03/1963, two weeks ahead of its scheduled date, so as to be included in the fall TV ratings survey. Submitted by daveb, 1/16/2011. More information here.

Sightings: In the opening act, as the courtroom gallery fills with spectators, Distinguished Gentleman #1 (with glasses) and Quiet Old Man #1 file in. Little Old Lady #1 has also managed to sneak in off camera. The latter two return to the courtroom gallery to observe the sentencing of poor Janice. Ever wonder, Who Is That? Submitted by gracenote, 2/15/2011.

Uncredited Actors: As the jury of the opening act grimly files in after deliberation, we find none other than Bert Stevens, Barbara Stanwyck’s brother, among them. He also joins the spectators (above) in the gallery as hapless Janice is sentenced. Submitted by gracenote, 2/15/2011.

Michael Fox, credited for his frequent role as Dr. Hoxie, does not appear. However, his voice is heard as Perry mentally reviews testimony from the trial while visiting the murder scene. Submitted by daveb, 2/16/2011.

Comments Edit

Seeing Mike Mazurki lifting weights in this episode reminded me, as a lifter, (not a professional, just for exercise) that is one of the few times anyone who lifts weights is depicted as anywhere near normal. Submitted by MikeReese, 1/25/2012

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