The Show

The show is a courtroom drama. In the first half hour, a murder is committed and the police arrest the wrong person. One way or another, Perry is engaged for the defense. A trial (or hearing), ensues. Perry and Paul investigate. The police and prosecution are often confounded by Perry's fancy footwork and almost illegal shenanigans. Perry solves the case and usually gets the guilty party to break down and confess (often while giving testimony on the witness stand). His client goes free. After the last commercial, Perry and some of the participants in the case get together and all is explained. There were many variations, exotic locales and tricks but this was the basic formula.

For the complete story of the show, visit The History of the Show section of The Perry Mason TV Show Book.