<< Stuttering Bishop | Episodes | Bedeviled Doctor >>

#60: The Case of the
Lost Last Act
Original Airdate: 03/21/59

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
When playwright Ernest Royce is found shot to death in much the same manner as a character in one of his unproduced plays, Perry is puzzled by coincidences. Royce’s play dealt with characters very close to real people, and a murder very close to the real murder case of underworld figure Rick Valponi, who was killed in New York City twelve years before. Frank Brooks, Perry’s client, was there at the time, as were most of the other principals in the case. Perry is convinced Royce’s murder and the play are connected, but the crucial last act is missing. It will be the finale for Brooks if Perry cannot find the missing piece.

Credits Edit

Opening

Starring Raymond Burr
in The Case of THE LOST LAST ACT
Based upon characters created by Erle Stanley Gardner
Barbara Hale as Della Street
William Hopper as Paul Drake
William Talman as Hamilton Burger
Ray Collins as Lt. Tragg

Trailing

Directed by Gerd Oswald
Written by Milton Krims
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

Joanne Gilbert as Faith Foster
Katharine Bard as Helen Dwight
Jerome Cowan as Royce
Stacy Harris as Frank Brooks
Richard Erdman as Jim West
David Lewis as John Gifford
Robert McQueeney as Michael Dwight
Richard Gaines as Judge
Connie Cezon as Gertie
George E. Stone as Court Clerk

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 Creber

Editorial Supervision … Art Seid, A.C.E.
Film Editor … Richard W. Farrell
Assistant Director … Robert G. Stone
Casting … 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 … Roy Meadows
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 Skyliner retractable, black, top up (Mason) *stock footage from prior season. From The Cars by Greg Cockerill.

Speaking of cars, when Perry pulls his Ford Skyliner into the studio gate, if you watch closely, you see that a VW Beetle passes by, a rare sight in 1959. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 21 July 2008.
+ This happens a little past 21:30 into the episode. Submitted by Raja99, 5/7/2009.

Sightings / Uncredited Actors: The Little Old Lady in Hat (a/k/a Little Old Lady #1) watches events unfold as she sits behind Faith Foster. More about her and other recurring anonymous extras here. Submitted by gracep, 8/25/2010.
+ Distinguished Gentleman #1 goes into a bar. No joke. He enters the hotel bar and talks to a couple of friends, just after Perry, Della, and Paul come out into the lobby, and just prior to the first courtroom scene. Later, he is another spectator in court, as are “Miss Carmody”, Quiet Old Man #2, and Don Anderson. Submitted by alan_sings, 16 Oct 2010.
+ Not to be left out, Distinguished Gentleman #2 is sitting in an aisle seat, back row. Submitted by gracenote, 5/2/2011.

Comments Edit

There is an awful lot of smoking in this episode. At least two of the characters are never seen without a cigarette in their hand. Submitted by gracep, 8/25/2010.

<< Stuttering Bishop | Episodes | Bedeviled Doctor >>