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#89: The Case of the
Crying Cherub
Original Airdate: 04/09/60

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
When a valuable Matisse painting is stolen, and the thief winds up murdered, Perry must do double duty and defend a museum employee and her boyfriend.

Credits Edit

Opening

Starring Raymond Burr
in The Case of THE CRYING CHERUB
Based upon characters created by Erle Stanley Gardner

Barbara Hale as Della Street
William Hopper as Paul Drake
Ray Collins as Lt. Tragg

Trailing

Directed by William D. Russell
Written by John D. Latimer
Herbert Hirschman | Producer
Gail Patrick Jackson | Executive Producer
Seeleg Lester | Associate Producer, Story Consultant
Produced by The CBS Television Network in association with Paisano Productions
Arthur Marks | Associate Producer

Raymond Burr as Perry Mason
Barbara Hale as Della Street
William Hopper as Paul Drake
Ray Collins as Lt. Tragg

Cast

Joe Maross as David Lambert
Tom Drake as Richard Harkens
Abraham Sofaer as Sylvester Robey
Mala Powers as June Sinclair
David Lewis as Deputy D.A. Mark Hanson
Kathryn Givney as Amelia Harkens
Carmen Phillips as Liza Carson Lambert
Thomas McBride as Thomas Clark
Richard Gaines as Judge
Isabel Randolph as Mrs. Vandercord
Elvia Allman as Mrs. Forbes
Elizabeth Harrower as Woman Artist
Lee Miller as Sgt. Brice
Patrick Waltz as Policeman
Jack Perrin as Bidder #1
Mary Benoit as Bidder #2
Helene Heigh as Club Woman
George E. Stone as Court Clerk

Uncredited Actors
Robert Wegner as Other Police Officer (sighted by gracep 10/2/2010)

Crew

Art Seid, A.C.E. | Assistant to the Producer
Production Supervisor … Dewey Starkey
Director of Photography … Frank Redman, A.S.C.
Art Direction … Lewis Creber
Assistant Director … Morris Harmell
Film Editor … John D. Faure, A.C.E.
Casting … Harvey Clermont
Makeup … Irving Pringle
Hair Stylist … Annabell, S.C.H.
Wardrobe Supervision … William Zacha, Evelyn Carruth
Set Decoration … Charles Q. Vassar
Sound Effects Editor … Gene Eliot, M.P.S.E.
Music Editor … Gene Feldman
Properties … Ray Thompson
Production Sound Mixer … Herman Lewis
Script Supervision … M.E.M. Gibsone
Sound … Glen Glenn Sound Co.

Perry Mason \ A Film Presentation
A CBS Television Network Production

Trivia Edit

The title painting can also be seen in Otto Gervaert’s studio in #146, TCOT Absent Artist. Submitted by Xanthippe Svanström, 11/30/2004.
+ The Crying Cherub painting can also be seen in #187, TCOT Reluctant Model, in Goring Gilbert’s studio. Submitted by daveb, 7/14/2007.

I noticed an odd credit screen (see here) in this episode. It starts out with three normal credit lines, then a line that says “with” and then a line that says “MALA POWERS as June Sinclair.” Why the special treatment for Ms. Powers? Are there other episodes with odd credits? Submitted by Charles Richmond, 2/19/2009.
+ Yes, there are other episodes who give special credit to certain guest stars. Why this particular star, can’t be sure. Submitted by gracep, 10/2/2010.
+ I remember that Ms. Powers was a “big star” in those days due, I think, to her film work and to advertising campaigns mounted by Howard Hughes and RKO some years before. Submitted by daveb, 10/2/2010.

The opening of the show has been changed since last week. The opening now matches the opening of episode #68, TCOT Dubious Bridegroom, where Perry takes the case file from the judge, and the action then stops while the cast names are listed on the folder. The reason for this change was that William Talman has been fired, and with the exception of episode #97, TCOT Credulous Quarry, he will never again be shown on the opening credits again unlike 87 of the previous 88 shows. Even though he will be hired back starting with the show of 21 January 1961, “The Case of the Fickle Fortune,” the opening of the show picturing Della, Paul, Lt. Tragg, and himself will never be used again. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 5/8/2009.

David Lewis is rushed into the breach as Deputy D.A. Mark Hanson. This quick casting was necessitated by the firing of William Talman. Even though David Lewis would make 4 more appearances on Perry (after appearing twice previously), this is the only time that he would be the D.A. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 5/8/2009.

When June Sinclair arrives at Liza Carson Lambert's home, she checks the registration of the car parked in front to verify that it is David Lambert's. The card on the steering column bears his name and the address 1040 N. Las Palmas. This is the same address (minus the N.) for actor-posing-as-gambler Lou Caporale (Peter Leeds) in TCOT Artful Dodger (episode #78). I suspect this may be some kind of in-joke among the Mason production team. Submitted by FredK 10 November 2009.
+ The address 1040 N. Las Palmas is used again in episode #100, TCOT Lavender Lipstick, this time for defendant Karen Lewis (Pat Breslin). Submitted by FredK 26 November 2009.

The “in-joke” FredK suspected is that 1040 N. Las Palmas was the address of the studio where Perry Mason was being filmed. See episode #78 Trivia or put “Las Palmas” in this site's Wiki Search (in the sidebar) to see photos and more info about the studio. Posted by Eric Cooper, 5 February 2010. There is more about 1040 N. Las Palmas on the Location Trivia page.

Anomaly: At the beginning of Mrs. Harken’s testimony, Perry refers to the decedent as “Lisa” rather than “Liza,” though he gets it right the rest of the time. Submitted by Ed Zoerner, 3/31/2010.
+ When Perry visits Liza Carson’s apartment, he finds a note with a heading of “The Robey Galleries” that says: “Received from Lisa Carson four smiling cherubs for Auction as promised. Sylvester Robey.” So this note refers to Liza as “Lisa” again. Submitted by Charles Richmond, 9 November 2010. Picture here.

Location: Another of many shots of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse about 27.5 minutes into the episode. Submitted by Eric Cooper, 23 September 2010.

Sightings: In today’s episode, we find many recurring courtroom spectators. These include Little Old Lady in a Hat, Distinguished Lady #2, Distinguished Lady #3, Cute Young Lady, Quiet Old Man #1, and Distinguished Gentleman #1. Read more about them and other anonymous regulars here. Submitted by gracep, 10/2/2010.
+ And one more: Distinguished Lady #4 is sitting near #2. Submitted by gracenote, 11/16/2011.

Uncredited Actors: Robert Wegner appears briefly (and silently) as a scowling cop. Submitted by gracep, 10/2/2010.

Beautiful Mala Powers played defendant three times (“TCOT Deadly Toy,” “Crying Cherub,” and “Weary Watchdog”) but in her last appearance in Perry Mason, was the victim (Scarlet Scandal). She and Anne Whitfield were probably the two most attractive repeating actresses on the show. Submitted by CGraul, 9/5/2011.

Comments Edit

The Matisse that’s stolen/copied appears to be Le Tabac Royal circa 3/1943. In the early 40s, Matisse was recovering from cancer surgery. He advertised for a nurse. A student nurse named Monique Bourgeois responded and was hired. Later she was hired to model for a number of Matisse works, including Le Tabac Royal. Bourgeois later entered into Holy Orders as Sister Jacques-Marie. She died circa 2005 at about 84. For more information, read here. For an idea what it looks like, see here. Submitted by billp, 2/22/2009.
+ The painting shown at the episode’s beginning is similar but not identical to Le Tabac Royal. For one thing, the guitar and the woman are on the opposite side, and they are quite different-looking besides (and so are the backgrounds). See this painting. The painting in the show seems to be completely fictitious. Submitted by gracenote, 11/26/2011.

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