<< Deadly Toy | Episodes | Dubious Bridegroom >>

#67: The Case of the
Spanish Cross
Original Airdate: 05/30/59

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
Jimmy Morrow was trying to go straight after having been put on probation for car theft. Now he's faced with a bum rap for stealing a valuable Spanish cross and killing the owner.

Perry wants to give a kid a break and takes the case.

Credits Edit

Opening

Starring Raymond Burr
in The Case of THE SPANISH CROSS
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 Arthur Marks
Written by Robert J. Shaw and Gene Wang
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

Jacques Aubuchon as Felix Karr
Josephine Hutchinson as Miriam Baker
Richard Miles as Jimmy Morrow
Linda Watkins as Grace Runyan
Arthur Space as James Morrow, Sr.
Donald Randolph as Curtis Runyan
Jonathan Hole as Everett Wormser
Richard Gaines as Judge
Harlan Warde as Sgt. Kenton
Herman Rudin as Roger
George E. Stone as Court Clerk
Chuck Zacha as Harry Kline

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: 1959 Lincoln Continental MkIV, 4dr hardtop, white, 1958 Ford Thunderbird convertible, black, white top up (Drake), 1959 Cadillac series 62 convertible, black, black & white interior, top down (Mason), 1959 Ford Custom 300 4dr sedan, black & white (Police), Cameo: 1959 Ford Custom 300 4dr sedan, white. From The Cars by Greg Cockerill.

Richard Miles makes his only Perry appearance here playing Jimmy Morrow. Richard Miles (born Gerald Richard Perreau) also acted under the name Peter Miles. Richard Miles was the brother of Gigi Perreau (“TCOT Desperate Daughter”, “TCOT Sleepy Slayer”) and Lauren Perreau (“TCOT Nine Dolls”) making the Perreau family the only triple siblings appearing on Perry. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 23 September 2009.

Sightings: Pencil Mustache Man makes another appearance in the far corner of the courtroom gallery, defendant’s side. When the hearing reconvenes after recess, our man reappears on the prosecutor’s side, second row. Both times he seems keenly interested in the proceedings. Oh, and then in a quick shot as Mr. Wormser is about to be re-crossed, we spy Distinguished Gentleman #1 back in the shadows of the defendant’s side. Lastly, Quiet Old Man can be seen to mutter with surprise when the killer is revealed! Submitted by gracep, 9/3/2010.
+ “Miss Carmody” is visible in the gallery just over Burger’s shoulder at the beginning of the courtroom scene. Submitted by alan_sings, 3 Oct 2010.
+ The rarely seen Distinguished Lady #3 is seated almost directly behind Perry. Read more about all these favorite frequent faces.

Comments Edit

I consider this one of those “topical” Perry Mason episodes. It deals with “juvenile delinquency,” a hot topic back then—Blackboard Jungle, Young Savages, Rebel Without a Cause, etc. Since it is topical, the episode comes across more “dated” than is generally true for Perry Mason. Also, and this may be just me, I detect a bit of homoeroticism. Even so, it’s still a credible entry in the oeuvre.
+ What you are calling homoeroticism might just be paternalism, if you are referring to the interaction between wise, kindly Mason and young Jimmy. Submitted by gracep, 9/3/2010.

In retrospect, at least as far as juvenile delinquency goes, Eisenhower’s “America” really wasn't all that bad. Submitted by billp, 31 October 2009.

The brief interlude between the judge and Burger regarding the latter's laryngitis seems odd; it plays no part in the plot other than to explain Burger’s hoarse voice. Why didn’t they just postpone filming that scene for a day or two? Submitted by Ed Zoerner, 2/1/2010.

When leaving James Morrow, Sr.’s apartment, Mason leaves his card and Drake leaves a pack of cigarettes, presumably as an act of kindness. Submitted by gracep, 9/3/2010.

Gerald Perreau-Saissine (a.k.a Richard Miles/Peter Miles) turns in a decent performance as Jimmy, but seems to have dropped out of film/tv about this time. This makes Perry’s final comments about his character somewhat ironic. Since Perreau-Saissine seemed a credible actor and photogenic, his disappearance is curious. Whatever the explanation, he seems to have had an interesting life. (See his obit here and a retrospective here).

Jimmy’s dad mentions the real thief of Mrs. Runyan’s car—a Barney Kellogg (who never appears). Later, Drake tails the invisible Kellogg in his search for Jimmy. And Mason brings the non-appearing but oft-mentioned Kellogg up at least once when conferring with his client Jimmy. Submitted by gracep 9/2/2010.

<< Deadly Toy | Episodes | Dubious Bridegroom >>