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#91: The Case of the
Madcap Modiste
Original Airdate: 04/30/60

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
A madcap murder puts an end to high-fashion queen Flavia Halliday. Flavia gasps for her last breath after her husband Charles puts a glass of champagne to her lips. “Charles poisoned me” are her dying words to ever faithful companion Leona Durant as she fades away in Leona’s arms.

Did Charles and his gorgeous girl friend Hope Sutherland (played by Leslie Parrish) have a motive to poison Flavia? She had made a fool of Charles on national TV and denied him the divorce he had been wanting for so long.

It’s a tongue-in-cheek case for Perry.

Credits Edit

Opening

Starring Raymond Burr
in The Case of THE MADCAP MODISTE
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 Harold Swanton
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

John Conte as Charles Pierce
Marie Windsor as Flavia Pierce
Les Tremayne as Deputy D.A. Stewart Linn
Leslie Parrish as Hope Sutherland
David White as Henry De Garmo
Robert Ellenstein as Medical Examiner
Dorothy Neuman as Leona Durant
Edward Mallory as George Halliday
Truman Bradley as Narrator
Morris Ankrum as Judge
George E. Stone as Court Clerk
Lee Miller as Sgt. Brice
Anna Belle George as Model #1
Pat Olson as Model #2

Crew

Special Gowns and Sketches by Charles La Maire

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
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 first scene in this show is of a television emcee interviewing Flavia Pierce. The television emcee was played by Truman Bradley, making his only Perry appearence. Baby boomers will remember that Truman Bradley was the narrator for the syndicated Science Fiction Theater for two years from 1955-1957, for a total of 76 episodes. Amazingly, since he was only 55 years old at the time, this was the final screen appearance for Truman Bradley. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 19 May 2009.

For the third consective show there is a different Deputy D.A. This time it is Les Tremayne as Stewart Linn. Tremayne would make 8 appearances on Perry in total, but this was the only time he played a D.A. Fans of old-time radio will remember Les Tremayne as one of the giants of the medium. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 19 May 2009.

Location: About 26 minutes in, there is a quick shot of Parker Center 150 N. Los Angeles Street. Submitted by Eric Cooper, 23 September 10.

That’s right, classic TV fans! That's Darrin’s boss, Larry Tate from Bewitched in this episode. (If you haven’t made the connection yet, it’s David White.) Submitted by gracep, 10/4/2010.

This episode is one of a very few times that George E. Stone speaks in his role as Court Clerk. Submitted by gracep, 10/4/2010.

Sightings: The courtroom gallery is bursting with anonymous regulars. As Lt. Tragg is called to testify, we can see Distinguished Gentleman #1 and Cute Young Lady seated behind the harried deputy D.A. Across the aisle sits a Quiet Old Man (#1) next to Distinguished Lady #3, who is next to Hope Sutherland (Leslie Parrish). At the far end, behind Della and Perry, the Little Old Lady in a Hat and Distinguished Lady #2 watch with interest, as does another Quiet Old Man (#2) behind Perry’s shoulder. Read about all these recurring coutroom spectators here. Submitted by gracep, 10/4/2010.

Costumes: Special mention is given in the credits to real-life costume designer Charles La Maire, who created the gowns and fashion drawings for this episode. La Maire was the executive wardrobe designer for many iconic films, such as The Seven Year Itch, How to Marry a Millionaire, and All About Eve. Submitted by Fifty-Niner, 19 April 2011.

Two cups from the Curious Coffee Set make an appearance in Perry's office during a break in the trial. Via email from Evelyn, posted by daveb, 7/17/11.

Comments Edit

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