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#54: The Case of the
Foot-Loose Doll
Original Airdate: 01/24/59

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
Perry accepts a thirty-eight-cent retainer from shapely Millie Crest, posing as Fern Driscoll, and played by the beautiful Ruta Lee. Unbeknownst to Perry, Millie has taken on this identity from the real Fern Driscoll (who is supposedly dead), to shield herself from a troubled past.

As Fern Driscoll, she runs into even bigger trouble when she stabs a man in self-defense, and goes on trial for murder. When Carl Davis turns up dead, from poisoning of a stab wound to his arm, a friendly witness points to Millie, now Fern.

Credits Edit

Opening

Starring Raymond Burr
in Erle Stanley Gardner’s
The Case of THE FOOT-LOOSE DOLL
Barbara Hale as Della Street
William Hopper as Paul Drake
William Talman as Hamilton Burger
Ray Collins as Lt. Tragg

Trailing

Directed by William D. Russell
Teleplay by Jonathan Latimer
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

Barton MacLane as Senator Baylor
Robert Bray as Carl Davis
Ruta Lee as Millie Crest
Betty Lou Gerson as Marjory Davis
Eve McVeagh as Laura Richards
Sam Buffington as Fred Ernshaw
Richard Gaines as Judge
Susan Dorn as Grace
Helene Stanley as Fern Driscoll
Jim Kirkwood, Jr. as Johnny Baylor
John Bryant as Bob Wallace
Jan Harrison as Patient
Charles Meredith as Doctor
Carol Byron as 1st Girl
Lee Miller as Sgt. Brice
Jack Harris as Court Clerk

Uncredited Actors
Don Anderson as Courtroom Spectator

Crew

Gene Wang | Story Consultant
Production Supervisor … J. Paul Popkin
Story Editor … Alice Young
Director of Photography … Frank Redman, A.S.C.

Art Direction … {	Lyle Wheeler
	Lewis Creeber

Editorial Supervision … Art Seid, A.C.E.
Film Editor … Otto W. Meyer, A.C.E.
Assistant Director … Robert G. Stone
Casting … Marvin Schnall, Harvey Clermont
Makeup … Richard Hamilton
Hair Stylist … Annabell, S.C.H.
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 … William E. Orr

Perry Mason
Filmed in Hollywood by TCF Television Productions, Inc.
A CBS Television Network Production

Trivia Edit

CARS: 1957 Ford Fairlane 2dr sedan, white, 1956 Buick Special convertible, white, black top up, Cameo: 1956 Buick Century 4dr hardtop, dark color & white. From The Cars by Greg Cockerill.

The same setup shot is used for the Dr. Barnes Seaside Hospital as in #30, TCOT Screaming Woman. See here. Submitted by Charles Richmond, 6/2/2004.

TCOT Rare Reporters. During the trial scene in which Senator Baylor (Barton MacLane) testifies, there are two very visible extras on Mason’s side in the front row who busily write in pocket-size notebooks, obviously portraying reporters. When Baylor drops the bombshell that he was the one stabbed by Mildred Crest, the two and another extra in the second row bolt from the courtroom to call in the story. Despite the many political and show business bigwigs involved in the Mason cases, this is the only instance I know of where this happens. Submitted by FredK, 1 Nov 2009.

Sightings: During the hearing, sitting next to the Senator himself, is the Little Old Lady in a Hat. She can be first seen when Mr. Burger raises ad objection and then moments later when the courtroom gallery is all a-twitter after a shocking revelation. On the second day of the hearing, a different lady is sitting next to the Senator, but the Lady is across the aisle. Submitted by gracep, 8/13/2010.
+ The same Little Old Lady in a Hat can be seen for a split second exiting the Claymore Apartment Hotel, just as Perry enters. She wears the same hat in court later on. Submitted by Evelyne, 1/25/2011.
+ Joining our Little Old Lady in the courtroom gallery are Quiet Old Man #1, Distinguished Gentleman #2, and a somewhat hidden Distinguished Gentleman #1. Earlier “Miss Carmody“ collects Miss Crest’s and Miss Richards’ dirty dishes in the L.A. restaurant. Lastly, at the Seaside Hospital, the silent nurse is played by Distinguished Lady #1, who also turns up as a spectator when court reconvenes. Submitted by gracenote, 2/28/2011.

Uncredited Actors: In one shot, the courtroom spectator sitting behind Laura Richards (Eve McVeagh) is Don Anderson. In other shots of the courtroom that include Ms. McVeagh and more extras, there is a different actor in this seat. I can only guess that the director decided to add a reaction shot of McVeagh at some point and had to press a couple different extras into service to fill the area behind her. Submitted by FredK, 2 October 2010.

Character Names: Millie Crest’s real first name is Mildred, which actually seems to be used more than Millie. Submitted by gracenote, 2/28/2011.

Comments Edit

Millie Crest is a very fortunate young lady. She is the driver of 1957 Ford that travels down a very steep hill, wrecking and catching on fire. Not only does she survive this disastrous wreck without a broken rib, cut, scratch, or bruise, but the automobile obligingly throws both of her suitcases out before it catches on fire so she will have clothes to change into. Submitted by PaulDrake33, 26 June 2008.

Dr. Barnes Seaside Hospital is currently Cher’s house. No kidding! The Malibu estate has been on and off the market in 2008 at $41 million. As noted by Charles Richmond, the same location was featured at the beginning and mid-point of another episode, “TCOT Screaming Woman.” Posted by Eric Cooper, 19 November 2009.

Goof: TCOT Inconsistent Injury. Mason’s deduction about Baylor being the one wounded from the waving photo is an excellent decisive clue. However, someone in continuity should have reminded Barton MacLane about his injury in the earlier scene of Mason’s visit to his hotel. Despite being stabbed in the shoulder the night before, Baylor/MacLane uses his right hand quite freely, opening the door easily, gesturing expansively during the conversation and even reaching across his body, taking a cigar from his breast pocket and lighting it without any sign of injury. Submitted by FredK, 1 Nov 2009.

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