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#24: The Case of the
Deadly Double
Original Airdate: 03/01/58

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
Actress Constance Ford plays a dual role of sorts as a troubled woman living a double life. Helen Reed, a mild-mannered housewife by day, turns into Joyce Martel, a roaring harlot by night. Perry needs Joyce Martel's testimony to clear her brother of a murder rap. Helen Reed informs Perry that she can only recall her other half, Joyce, when her psychiatrist puts her under hypnosis.

A dramatic courtroom drama ensues, with Helen Reed turning into her double on the witness stand.

Credits Edit

Cast

Constance Ford as Helen Reed
Denver Pyle as Robert Crane
Carole Mathews as Cora Dunbar
Paul Langton as Harry Vance
Murray Hamilton as Johnny Hale
Abraham Sofaer as Dr. Maitland
Louise Truax as Sarah
Carleton G. Young as David Reed
Pierre Watkin as Judge
Frank Jenks as Cab Driver
Clark Howat as Sergeant Grant
Carlyle Mitchell as Dr. Desmond
Jack Gargan as Court Clerk
George E. Stone as George
Peter Opp as Johnson
Josef Elman as Tony
Kellogg Junge, Jr. as Tommy Reed

Trivia Edit

CARS: 1957 Cadillac convertible, black, white top up (Mason), 1957 Chevrolet 150 4dr sedan, V8, black (Police). From The Cars by Greg Cockerill.

Comments Edit

This is one of my least favorite episodes. Joyce Martel is loud, obnoxious, brassy, and thoroughly unlikeable. To have to imagine that this woman shares the same body with Helen Reed is stretching it a bit. Submitted by PaulDrake 33

I also don't care for this episode. The Joyce Martel character was too over-the-top. But, I suppose that's what the script called for. No, a more subtle, sinister characterization would have been better. Actually, something like what Constance Ford (who played Reed/Martel) did in "Potted Planter" would have worked. It's a shame, too, because Abraham Sofaer is such a joy to hear. billp 1/18/09.

A small plot inconsistency: at one point mid-episode, Dr. Maitlan tells Perry that Helen Reed has "only recently" learned of Joyce Martel. But in the epilogue, Della says that Helen didn't know of Joyce at all! Ed Zoerner, 5/18/09.

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