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#27: The Case of the
Desperate Daughter
Original Airdate: 03/22/58

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
Lisa Bannister is ready to kill herself after Stefan Riker (played by Werner Klemperer--Colonel Klink of "Hogan's Heroes") arrives in the United States from East Germany. He knows that Lisa is the daughter of the head of the Communist party in that country and has been in the United States illegally. Lisa's stepdaughter Doris vows to help Lisa and takes up a romantic relationship with Riker. Her plan works so well that the police use it as a motive when Riker is murdered.

Perry has to use kid gloves on this case. He not only has to clear Doris, but must keep Lisa's dirty laundry out of the courtroom.

We learn in this episode that Perry's office address is Suite 904 in the Brent Building.

Credits Edit

Cast

Gigi Perreau as Doris Bannister
Robert F. Simon as Edward Bannister
Osa Massen as Lisa Bannister
Werner Klemperer as Stefan Riker
Don Durant as Gary Marshall
Pierre Watkin as Judge
Wendell Holmes as Dr. Forbes
Robert B. Williams as Det. Quincey
Gere Craft as Helene
Ivan Bonar as Det. Marlowe
Paul Genge as Det. Davis
Patricia Mowry as Waitress
Jack Gargan as Court Clerk

Trivia Edit

CARS: 1957 Mercury 4dr hardtop wagon, 2-tone: medium color & white, Late 50s Triumph TR3, white, top down, 1957 Ford 4dr sedan, black & white (Police), 1957 Ford Skyliner retractable, black, top down (Mason), Cameo: 1955 Chevrolet Nomad. From The Cars by Greg Cockerill.

+Don Durant makes his first of two appearances on Perry (He would appear in season 2 in TCOT Jilted Jockey). Fans of 1950's westerns will recognize Don Durant as the star of "Johnny Ringo" for 38 episodes during the 59-60 season. Submitted by PaulDrake 33.

Comments Edit

This is an very unpleasent episode. It is somehow creepy to see the young beautiful Gigi Perreau lust after a man old enough to be her father (21 years her senior), Werner Klemper. Submitted by PaulDrake 33.

When Doris Bannister arrives in Perry's office, she has messed hair, no earrings, and a metallic necklace. Perry takes her to the hospital, and in the next morning's paper a "do you know this girl" picture that must have been taken from the hospital appears with Doris in a glam shot--perfect hair, pearl earrings, and a pearl necklace! Submitted by Ed Zoerner, 5/25/09.

Something I've noticed about the series is that photos of characters in the story are often "glam shots." To me, these appear to be the sort of photo an agent would shop around to the studio to get an actor consideration for a role. For example, consider Nimble Nephew: When Adam Thompson gets his picture snapped opening the safe, we are shown a totally unrealistic "glam shot." Curious. Submitted by billp. 29 October 2009.

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