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#38: The Case of the
Terrified Typist
Original Airdate: 06/21/58

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
The office of a South African diamond company located in the same building as Perry’s office is robbed and the suspect matches the description of a typist who spent some time working in Perry's office. This is just the beginning of a series of strange events that leads Perry into the courtroom defending Duane Jefferson for murder.

When the jury brings in a verdict of guilty, Burger believes he finally has a victory over Mason. It looks that way until we realize that the defendant is an imposter.

Credits Edit

Opening

Starring Raymond Burr
in Erle Stanley Gardner’s
The Case of The Terrified Typist
Barbara Hale, William Hopper, William Talman, Ray Collins

Trailing

Directed by Andrew McLaglen
Teleplay by Robert C. Dennis, Phillip Macdonald, Ben Brady
Ben Brady | Producer
Produced by CBS Television in association with Paisano Productions
Gail Patrick Jackson | Executive Producer
Sam White | Associate Producer

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

Alan Marshall as James Kincaid alias Duane Jefferson
Joanna Moore as Patricia Taylor
Joan Elan as Mrs. Lumis
Ben Wright as Walter Lumis
Connie Cezon as Gertie
Jack Raine as George Baxter
Kenneth R. MacDonald as Judge
Harald Dyrenforth as Henrich
Hank Patterson as Jack Gilly
Jack Gargan as Court Clerk
James Stone as Jury Foreman
Frankie Darro as Elevator Operator
Red Morgan as Muscleman
Steve Carruthers as Duane Jefferson

Crew

Gene Wang | Story Editor

Production Supervisor … J. Paul Popkin
Director of Photography … Frank Redman, A.S.C.
Art Direction … Lyle Wheeler, Lewis Creber
Assistant Director … Robert G. Stone
Editorial Supervisor … Art Seid, A.C.E.
Film Editor … Otto W. Meyer, A.C.E.
Makeup … Mel Berns
Hair Stylist … Annabell
Wardrobe Supervision … Dick James
Set Decoration … Walter M. Scott, Charles Q. Vassar
Properties … Ray Thompson
Sound Editor … Gene Eliot, M.P.S.E.
Production Sound Mixer … Robert O’Brien
Script Supervision … Lew Jarrard

This has been a CBS Television Network Production
Filmed in Hollywood by TCF Television Productions, Inc.

Trivia Edit

CARS: 1956 Buick Century 4dr hardtop, 3-tone: dark color, white, black top, 1958 Cadillac convertible, black, white top up (Mason), 1958 Pontiac Bonneville convertible, white, white top up. From The Cars by Greg Cockerill.

Sightings: At least one of the individuals in the lineup with James Kincaid a.k.a. Duane Jefferson looks like one of the courtroom spectators (behind Burger and Tragg) in the “Style P” opening credits used in episodes 40-69. Perhaps he was a crew member or a regular extra. Submitted by Alex Blackwell, 4/25/08. Posted by daveb.
+ He turns up again in the courtroom gallery, behind Burger. Submitted by gracep, 10/3/2010.
+ Now that he is included among our favorite frequent faces as Distinguished Gentleman #2, read more about him and other regulars here. See also additional sightings below. Submitted by gracep, 11/5/2010.

Patrica Taylor, a.k.a. “The Terrified Typist,” is played by Joanna Moore, wife of Ryan O’Neal and mother of Tatum O’Neal. Posted by PaulDrake33.

One of the few episodes where Perry’s client actually takes the witness stand. As you may know, the District Attorney is prohibited from calling the defendant to testify, so in order to testify, the defendant must be called by his own attorney. In this episode, Perry does not reveal the name of the murderer until Burger has rested his case and Perry has began to present his side of the case. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 6/18/2009.

Goof: After questioning a prosecution witness, Burger turns to Perry and says "Your re-direct." Re-direct is something the prosecutor does. Perry would cross examine. Submitted by Ben B, posted by daveb, 12/18/10.

Sightings: You can see the man first spotted by PaulDrake33 in #48, TCOT Purple Woman, in this episode—a dark-complected man with a pencil-thin mustache who resembles Leo Carrillo. There is a really close shot of this Pencil Mustache Man in a cut to Patricia Taylor sitting in the courtroom gallery. “Miss Carmody” sits in the back row during the hearing for a motion for a new trial. Submitted by gracep, 10/3/2010.
+ She certainly looks similar, but I believe this is a different lady. alan_sings, 16 Oct 2010.

Location: Just short of 10 minutes in we see an exterior shot of Parker Center at night. There are many daytime shots but this is the only nightime one I've seen. Submitted by Eric Cooper, 13 January 2011.

Location: Almost 15 minutes into the episode Paul and Perry drive to Senator Taylor's estate which in reality is what is known as Greenacres. It is the lavish estate comedian Harold Lloyd built. It was known for its 15 acres of amazing gardens. It remained intact until 1975. It remains on 5 or so acres and is owned by supermarket magnet Ron Burkle. Submitted by Eric Cooper, 13 January 2011.

Comments Edit

When Patricia Taylor is in Mason's office she picks up the phone and calls Hamilton Burger, dialing his number from memory. How would she know the DA's phone #, and have it memorized? Submitted by Craig 3/5/10

This may be the only Perry episode where the murderer sits at the defense table with Perry and Della. Submitted by PaulDrake 33.

Alan Marshall was both a defendant and a murderer. Submitted by daveb, date unknown.

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