Show66
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#66: The Case of the
Deadly Toy
Original Airdate: 05/16/59
Summary Edit
From The Perry Mason TV Show Book (Revised)
Martin Selkirk wants Claire Allison back in a bad way. Claire is no longer interested and is now dating Dick Benedict. Selkirk decides to get Claire’s undivided attention and has Benedict’s jaw broken. Now Claire is terrified, especially since she’s been receiving threatening mail. Claire is almost off the hook when Selkirk is murdered in his beach house. But then the police arrest her for the murder.
Perry takes her case and finds there’s no shortage of suspects. He even questions Selkirk's five-year-old son, since the kid’s favorite toy was a real gun!
Credits Edit
Opening
Starring Raymond Burr
In Erle Stanley Gardner’s The Case of THE DEADLY TOY
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 (and Mr. Street ;-))
Barbara Hale as Della Street
William Hopper as Paul Drake
William Talman as Hamilton Burger
Ray Collins as Lt. Tragg
Cast
Mala Powers as Claire Allison
Max Adrian as Ralph Jennings
Robert Rockwell as Dick Benedict
Dennis Patrick as Martin Selkirk
Jennifer Howard as Lorraine Jennings
Paul Cavanagh as Horace Selkirk
Kathryn Card as Hannah Barton
Nancy Kulp as Katherine Collins
Morris Ankrum as Judge
Norm Alden as Darrel Reed
David Brady as David Selkirk
Pitt Herbert as Autopsy Surgeon
Nina Stevens as Nurse
Richard Hervey as Counterman
George E. Stone as Court Clerk
Lee Miller as Sgt. Brice
Bob Howard as Bill Evans
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.
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 Continental MkII, light color*, 1957 Ford Skyliner retractable, black, top up (Mason)*, 1958 Ford Thunderbird convertible, black, black & white interior, top down (Drake), 1959 Ford Skyliner retractable, black, medium interior, top down (Mason), 1959 Lincoln Continental MkIV, 4dr hardtop, white, *reuse of footage from The Vagabond Vixen, season 1. From The Cars by Greg Cockerill.
When Mason is originally taking his client Claire Allison to see Martin Selkirk at Selkirk’s Oceanside condo, he is driving a 1957 Ford Fairlane Retractable Hardtop. Later during the show, when Perry visits the grandfather Horace Selkirk, he is driving a 1959 Ford Galaxie Retractable Hardtop. I guess Perry had time to buy a new car in between court sessions! Submitted by Walt Broadnax, 12/10/07. Posted by daveb.
+ Perhaps the production staff figured none of the viewers would notice the obvious difference in the single set of headlights versus the dual set. ;-) Submitted by HamBurger, July 18, 2021
Robert Rockwell makes his first of 5 appearances here on Perry playing Dick Benedict. Robert Rockwell made a name for himself in 1950’s television playing Eve Arden’s love interest in Our Miss Brooks. Many years later he was familiar to a new generation of television watchers as the grandfather who offers his grandson a Werthers candy. He and his wife were married for 61 years, a record for any Perry alumni as far as I have been able to ascertain. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 18 August 2009.
A generation of baby boomers will remember Rockwell as Superman's daddy. The actor portrayed Jor-El in the premiere episode of "The Adventures of Superman" in 1952. Submitted by francis, 2/20/12.
Fans of Universal's Sherlock Holmes series will recognize the distinguished Paul Cavanagh, who featured in several of the early '40s films. Submitted by francis, 2/20/12.
+ Paul Cavanaugh also stars as the titular character in "Champagne Charlie" (1936), a favorite noir movie. jfh 11Mar2021
Mala Powers (Claire Allison) makes the first of five appearances on PM. In 1962, she will portray Della's close friend, Janet Brent. Submitted by MikeM, 11/06/2012
+ Among her 81 IMDb credits are "Crying Cherub," "Weary Watchdog," "Frightened Fisherman" & "Scarlet Scandal." Mike Bedard 6.30.16.
Character Names: The Nurse’s name is Walsh. Not only does Miss Allison address her thus, the caregiver identifies herself on the phone in the hospital. Mrs. Jennings’ full name is Lorraine Selkirk Jennings. Submitted by gracep 9/2/2010.
Sightings: Distinguished Gentleman #1 (in glasses) sits in the back row of the courtroom gallery, on the prosecutor’s side. There is a really good shot of him behind Hannah Barton during the second part of the hearing. Submitted by gracep, 9/2/2010.
+ I believe we also see DG#1 briefly in the opening scene in the restaurant -- in San Francisco -- at about 2:45 on the DVD, as he glances over his shoulder to view the scuffle. JohnK, 14 December 2015
++ Meanwhile, our beloved Little Old Lady in a Hat sits on the defendant’s side. We can see her better as the courtroom clears for lunch; she lingers behind a bit. Then as Perry pulls Hannah aside for a chat, she scoots down the hall behind them. After lunch, she reappears on the defendant’s side, on the front row, right next to Dick Benedict. Submitted by gracep, 9/2/2010.
+++ “Miss Carmody” is seated in two places in the courtroom. First she is next to Hannah Barton and behind Horace Selkirk on the prosecution side. Later she is next to Lorraine Jennings on the defense side. Submitted by alan_sings, 9 Oct 2010.
++++ Distinguished Gentleman #2 appears in a corner of the courtroom gallery in at least one cutaway (when Tragg testifies). Submitted by gracenote, 7/3/2011.
Location: About 5 minutes in and again at the 15 minute mark a car drives up the back way up to Gulls Way in Malibu which is featured in several episodes including #9. The main entrance to Gulls Way which is now owned by Dick Clark is off Pacific Coast Hwy. Submitted by Eric Cooper, 6 January 2011.
PM got the Coroner to admit that it was possible that Mr. Sellkirk would not die immediately but would have 10 to 12 minutes of mobility before death. PM states just enough time to get from Brentwood to Oceanside. LOL that’s probably 60 miles plus traffic. mikemcs1 7/2019
License plate: The plate number RNV 969 on Horace Selkirk's car was on the car driven by Clinton Forbes in episode 62 TCOT Howling Dog. Submitted by H. Mason 10/21/14
Painting: The picture in Perry's office beside the private door changed. Submitted by H. Mason 10/21/14
Ring: Notice Della wearing a wedding ring while posing as Perry's wife. She did not wear one while pretending to be Mrs. Fleetwood in episode 35 TCOT Lazy Lover. Submitted by H. Mason 10/21/14
This is the first of two PM appearances for Kathryn Card (Hannah Barton), who was Lucy's mother, Mrs. McGillicuddy, on the "I Love Lucy" show...MikeM. 10/7/2016
This is the second of two PM appearances for Nancy Kulp, Miss Jane (Plain Jane due to the lack of makeup, etc...) from the Beverly Hillbillies. Submitted by HamBurger, 06/09/2018
This is the first of four PM appearances for Dennis Patrick (Martin Selkirk), who was born Dennis Patrick Harrison, and dropped the Harrison surname in the early 1950's. Dennis Patrick died in a house fire in Hollywood in 2002. He was 84 years old...MikeM. 7/19/2018
Gavel Tally - Not only does the living room (see trivia comments for TCOT Petulant Partner) show up again two episodes later, so does our friend the gavel, when it is used to call the court to "order" after the outburst, "And if you're looking for a motive for me, you've got it!" and Burger cries out, "Your Honor!" OLEF641 1/17/22
Comments Edit
About three minutes in and again 8 minutes in there is some classic product placement of a very cool American Flyers train set. Submitted by Eric Cooper, 6 January 2011.
In the early restaurant scene, Martin Selkirk sees Claire and Dick together and says, "My plan isn't working." I wonder what his plan was. jfh 19Mar2024
A child was permitted to sleep with a real handgun under his pillow? Thank goodness nothing tragic happened to David Brady (David Selkirk), who was probably the only actor to wiggle his ears in closeup on PM. Submitted by MikeM, 11/06/2012
+ I must add that now, Paul going to the day camp and asking about David Selkirk comes across as odd to me; I don't know how audiences viewed the scene on first airing, but these days, any adult coming to a facility and asking about a child had better have some type of authentic credentials to show. Submitted by MikeReese, 12/16/2020
Although I'm sure the printing press was a necessary plot device in this episode, Dirk Benedict's declaration that the printing on the envelopes doesn't look like it was done on a typewriter is, of course, nonsense, because that's exactly what it looks like. Submitted by francis, 7/21/14.
I believe the point about it not looking like it was typed refers to the lack of impression on the paper which happens with a typewriter. A handpress can make the same shape letters without the telltale impression caused by the keys striking the paper. Submitted by KGarrett, 1/6/2016
An object lesson in bad parenting. Not just letting a child think a gun is a toy, but leaving that child alone, sleeping outside, while you drive to the airport! And just who ends up with custody of David? In front of dozens of witnesses, Martin Selkirk breaks Dirk Benedict's jaw while wearing brass knuckles. Uh, felonious assault charge, anyone? The establishing shot of the Jennings house looks like it was taken from the movie “ The Heiress”. The set for Martin Selkirk’s house was seen just two episodes ago in “Petulant Partner” and the gate of Horace Selkirk’s estate was the scene of the car accident three episodes ago in “Calendar Girls”. DOD 07/18/18
Maybe it’s just my perception, but I think Perry looks great in this episode. I’ve always felt he looks particularly good in dark suits, and when he sweeps back the curtain to reveal the body of Martin Selkirk, he cuts a formidable and impressive figure. Submitted by Dan K, 7/8/16.
The wrap-up segment is priceless as Della greets Paul with "Hello, Beautiful!" Then Paul offers to assist Della with babysitting, just like a couple of teenagers. Cute stuff. jfh 07Jul2017.
Perry has always had a habit of providing cryptic references to his plans that leave Della and Paul in the dark. Usually the comment is done in a humorous way. But in this episode, he really did a number on Della. After the babysitter left, Perry simply said to Della that he was going to the International Airport. No other details. But this really placed Della in a strange position. The reason someone usually goes to an airport is either to pick someone up, drop someone off or to fly somewhere. Obviously, Perry had no one to pick up or drop off. So, was he planning to fly somewhere? Maybe to Mexico to look for David? As it turned out, he was simply looking for information and got lucky that the gate agent who worked the flight that morning was still there at night. But if he had been planning to fly out somewhere, it would have been nice if he had given his secretary a few more details. Submitted by Paul's Operative. 1/16/24.
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