Show204
Take note of the hats worn by Nellie Conway. You'll see them again in #250, TCOT Wrathful Wraith. The hat with the rickrack is also seen in #256, TCOT Bogus Buccaneers. Submitted by Karrin Kain, 2/14/2005.
This episode of Perry Mason (TCOT Woeful Widower) and the first season episode TCOT Fiery Fingers (#31, 1.31) are both based on the same Erle Stanley Gardner novel titled The Case of the Fiery Fingers. So this current episode is often considered to be a "re-make" of the first season episode TCOT Fiery Fingers. See repeated episodes here. Submitted by Charles Richmond, 26 April 2013.
+This episode's plot is much closer to ESG's novel "TCOT Fiery Fingers" than is the first season's adaptation. Submitted by BobH, 10 January 2016.
Joan Banks makes her final appearance, and the first in 3 years, on Perry. Strange, the first 4 appearances she is credited as Joan Banks. However, after the death of her husband, veteran character actor, Frank Lovejoy in 1962, she is now credited as Joan Lovejoy in this episode. Although living another 34 years, she made only one additional television appearance, on Bewitched in 1967. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 7/11/2008.
Connie Cezon makes her final appearance as Gertie. Not only is it her final appearance on Perry, but it is her final cinematic appearance of any type. So long Gertie, good job. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 14 October 2009.
+ IMDb lists CC in 17 Perrys from 1957-64: of the 8 Gertie LADE references, 4 are Credit Only & 1 is Uncredited. Mike Bedard 3.7.15.
+ Interestingly, she is shown in the office next to Perry's, which of course is Della's office (complete with fairly empty book case), but in theory there is a third office which serves as the reception area but is not shown. I don't recall if it is shown in any other episode. cgraul 11.11.12
++ In Della's abscence, Gertie occupies Della's office. jfh 21Nov2022
+ The Case of the Fan Dancer's Horse (Season 1 Episode 15)
has a brief bit showing someone walking into Gertie's Reception Office and continuing into Della's Office on the way to see Perry. Phil Ayling 9/14/18
+ The Receptionist character gave the series the Feel of a Major Law Office. Mike Bedard 3.7.15.
Star Trek Alert: Harry Townes (Newton Bain) played Reger in the original series Star Trek episode "Return of the Archons" ("Landru guide us!"). Two other Perry alums appear in that same Star Trek episode: Torin Thatcher, who played Walter Frazer in "TCOT Unwelcome Bride," episode 137; and recurring Perry actor, John Lormer, who appeared in 12 episodes, always as a medical professional: an autopsy surgeon, a doctor, a coroner, a medical examiner. It's another planet of Perry alumni in the Trekkie universe. Submitted by MyFavoritePolarBear, 11/21/22.
Sightings: As Perry turns toward someone, we catch a glimpse of Distinguished Gentleman #1 chatting with a lady in the hallway of the Mosk courthouse. Then magically, we find both of them already seated in the courtroom before Perry walks in. After the theft trial, the Gentleman and his escort linger in their seats and talk intently. Submitted by gracenote, 3/17/2011.
Once more, we have no Tragg or Della despite credit. Submitted by gracenote, 3/17/2011.
+ Four consecutive episodes without the alluring Ms. Della Street! DellaFan is experiencing withdrawal symptoms. And how does Perry function, with no one taking notes either in the office or at the trial? I thought Della was indispensable. Submitted by DellaFan, 12/13/2013.
++ Agreed: WW was the 9th of Della's 11 absences. Erle Stanley Gardner said that the character of Della was based on his Real-Life secretary (50th Anniversary DVD: ESG Featurette). Mike Bedard 3.18.15
Sightings: At the murder hearing, Little Old Lady #1, Pencil Mustache Man, and Quiet Old Man #1 are all seated on the defense side of the coutroom gallery. The first two leap to their feet when Mason makes one of his trademarked shocking revelations (a good thing for the Lady, who wouldn’t have been in the shot otherwise.) Submitted by gracenote, 3/17/2011.
+ We find Distinguished Lady #4 in the back row next to Quiet Old Man #1. Submitted by BigBill767, 6/17/2016.
Uncredited Actors: Don Anderson makes a very brief appearance as a plainclothes policeman. Submitted by FredK, 7 April 2011. (See below Spoiler Line for details.)
Jet Plane ID: The airplane Perry takes on the return trip from New Orleans seems to be a TWA Boeing 707-331. Compare the landing shown at 29:18 with this photo here. Submitted by 10yearoldfan, 24 July 2014.
Cold case / old case: Perry also solved the murder of Mrs. Bain, the first wife,- killed years earlier. Submitted by H. Mason 9/27/14
Recycled newspaper: The "local paper" Paul showed Miss Moray in the New Orleans hotel room was made for episode 182 TCOT Nebulous Nephew but never used in that story. It is clearly a copy of the Los Angeles Chronicle with the headline: PATENT MEDICINE BABY LOSES STONE FORTUNE. Brief glimpses of this front page were seen in episodes 194 and 197. Submitted by H. Mason 9/29/14
Hard to believe Mrs Bain’s death in Los Angeles would have appeared in a New Orleans newspaper that quickly. DOD 02/11/20
The Jerry Van Dyke character was in the CIC in the army. I didn't know what that meant; apparently CIC stands for the US Army Criminal Investigation Command, though for some reason it seems to be abbreviated as CID. Maybe someone with a better knowledge of the military can provide more info here. Ed Zoerner, 12/17/14.
+ The Counter Intelligence CORPS existed from 1942-62 when it was merged into the Army Intelligence Corps [intellit.muskingum.edu]: Dr. Henry Kissinger served as a German Interpreter in the 970th CIC during WWII [jewishvirtuallibrary.org]. "The Criminal Investigation DIVISION of the Provost Marshal General's Office was established in January 1944," cid.army.mil/history.html notes. Mike Bedard 3.7.15.
CARS. (1) Perry drives his white 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible top down to the Bain mansion, 06:48. From this shot alone I can't definitely say that it isn't a '64; see series-first-'64: Car(1) Ep#203.
- (2) a 1964 Ford Custom 4-Door Sedan B&W Police is already at the Bain place when Perry arrives.
- (3) in New Orleans (21:35) Perry arrives for his meeting with Paul & operative in a light-color 1964 Ford Custom 4-Door Sedan Taxi.
- (4) (45:35) Paul, Perry & Lt Anderson stake out the Bain Place in Paul's black 1963 Thunderbird Convertible, top down. A call over Paul's car phone tells them to move in.
Too little is shown of Carole Moray's car (46:24) to identify it. Gary Woloski, 1/29/15.
Amicus Curiae: For the second time we saw Perry appear as a "friend of the court" (see episode 162 TCOT Weary Watchdog). Submitted by H. Mason 3/22/15
Paul's Phone: For the fourth time Mr. Drake was seen using his car phone (see episodes 107, 157 and 191). Submitted by H. Mason 3/22/15
Promotion: Actor Frank Gerstle was burglary detective Steve Toland in episode 158 TCOT Hateful Hero. Submitted by H. Mason 3/22/15
This is the second of three PM appearances for Nancy Gates, who had an RKO contract when she was fifteen years old...MikeM. 1/11/2017
This is the second of three PM appearances for Canada-born Joyce Meadows. According to Wikipedia, Joyce Meadows recently celebrated her 83rd birthday...MikeM. 5/23/2018
It's NOT for you, Mr. Mason two relatively minor, but still entertaining happenings enliven this episode:
1) Perry expresses outright disdain for his client (one might argue, insofar as the charges have been dismissed at that point that she's no longer his client, but subsequent dialogue makes clear she's not yet paid, so a contractual relationship is still in effect.)
+ Nellie Conway isn't Perry's client. Perry apears as amicus curiae in an action brought against her. jfh 13Feb2024
2) it's a client who gets a call in Perry's office. Tho that's certainly happened before, it's always been Della who answers and then hands over the phone; her absence here mean we're treated to the delicious sight of Perry himself doing so.(Wonder how many takes they had to shoot !!) Notcom, 070921.