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#62: The Case of the
Howling Dog
Original Airdate: 04/11/59

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book (Revised)
This episode involves four victims: three humans and one canine.

Paul finds a missing woman at the request of her brother. Her name is Evelyn Forbes and she’s just escaped from an insane asylum. Later she’s wanted for murder.

Perry wants to clear the disturbed damsel, but he has to go up against Tragg to do it. Tragg does his best to hide evidence from Perry, but Perry wins in the end.

Credits Edit

Opening

Starring Perry Mason
in Erle Stanley Gardner’s The Case of THE HOWLING DOG
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 Seeleg Lester
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

Ann Rutherford as Evelyn Forbes
Fintan Meyler as Thelma Brent
Robert Ellenstein as Arthur Cartright
Elaine Edwards as Polly Forbes
Gregory Walcott as Bill Johnson
John Holland as Clinton Forbes
Tom Greenway as Rod Andrews
Grace Raynor as Marilyn Storm
Ed Prentiss as Dr. Bayliss
S. John Launer as Judge
Vito Scotti as D’Amato
Pitt Herbert as Coroner
George E. Stone as Court Clerk
Marcia Drake as Nurse
Frank Hagney as Watchman
Lee Miller as Sgt. Brice

Uncredited Actors
Don Anderson as Courtroom Spectator (sighted by gracep, 8/27/10)

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 … Otto W. Meyer, A.C.E.
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: 1958 Ford Thunderbird convertible, black, top down (Drake), 1958 Edsel 4dr hardtop, medium color w/ white top, 1959 Lincoln Continental MkIV, 4dr hardtop, white, 1959 Ford Custom 300 4dr sedan, light color (taxi), 1959 Ford Skyliner retractable, black, medium interior, top down (Mason), 1959 Ford Custom 300 4dr sedan, black & white (Police), Late 50s Sunbeam Rapier convertible, light color, Late 40s Packard ambulance, white. From The Cars by Greg Cockerill.

It seems to me that the house seen in this episode is the same house seen in #37, TCOT Black-eyed Blonde. Submitted by Charles Richmond, 10/23/07. Posted by daveb. Some pictures here.

Ann Rutherford (Andy Hardy’s favorite girl Polly Benedict) makes her first of four appearances in this show. Submitted by PaulDrake33, 6/21/2008.

The house that Polly Forbes has purchased for Clinton Forbes was the exact house that Charles Burroughs owns in episode #59, TCOT Stuttering Bishop. You can identify it by the distinctive sunburst over the front double doors. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 7/20/2008.

This show has an establishing shot of New York City in the 1950s, a much simpler city. It then cuts to Los Angeles and uses the establishing shot of the Los Angeles freeway that was also used in episodes #33 and #68. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 7/20/2008.

The driver of Evelyn’s Skyline cab seen at the house doesn't look much like Mr. D’Amato to me. For one thing, no mustache. Submitted by daveb, 8/12/2009.

Barbara Hale blows her lines in this episode. When Mason is looking over Cartrights will, Hale starts to say her line “That’s quite a” and then forgets the rest of her lines, with Burr finishing the line for her “change of heart,” she then shakes her head at the slip. Quick work on Burr’s part. Hale has alot of trouble with this scene, twice she starts to say something and stops herself from talking over Burr’s lines. Submitted by Craig, 4/4/2010.

Sightings / Uncredited Actors: In one brief shot during the hearing, you can see Distinguished Gentleman #1—wearing glasses this time and almost completely obscured by Tragg’s head. Then behind our Gentleman sits Don Anderson, frowning. Also in that shot on the far right is a placid Little Old Lady in a Hat. Submitted by gracep, 8/27/2010.
+ Blue Collar Guy drives the first cab that brings Evelyn Forbes to Clinton Forbes’ house. Also in the courtroom are “Miss Carmody” and Quiet Old Man #2. Submitted by alan_sings, 16 Oct 2010.
+ After lunch, the aforenamed Little Old Lady sits behind the aforesaid Quiet Old Man in the gallery. Distinguished Gentleman #2 is nearby. Submitted by gracenote, 5/16/2011.

Location: The hotel 6:36 into this episode is the Bryson Apartment Hotel, 2701 Wilshire, and was also used in episode #33, TCOT Long Legged Models, and episode #28 as identified by Billp. Submitted by Eric Cooper, 5 January 2011.

Comments Edit

Dr. Bayliss informs Arthur Cartwright that his sister has escaped from the sanitarium. Arthur tells Dr. Bayliss not to call the police, he will handle the matter. Dr. Bayliss agrees. Evelyn Forbes has just brutally assaulted the night nurs, stolen her clothes, and broken out of the sanitarium. After all of this, Dr. Bayliss agrees not to call the police. Things would be handled much differently today. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 7/20/2008.

Maybe I just missed him, but did anyone see Pitt Herbert as the Coroner? He's in the credits. Submitted by daveb, 8/12/2009.

Paul Drake can certainly sprint with the best of them as he shows in this episode. Early on he enters the house across the street from the Forbes residence and in less than 6 seconds is opening the 2nd-floor window. You can even see Paul begin his sprint as his associate Andrews enters the door. Submitted by Kenmore, 7/05/2010.

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