Show135

An interesting casting choice was made in this episode. According to the story, it’s certainly implied, if not directly stated that Charles Cromwell (Kurt Weber) was younger than Maizie Freitag. Yet Barbara Stuart who played Maizie was almost 19 years younger in “real life” than Weber. And as hard as they try with the makeup, Stuart still looks younger than Weber. Submitted by Kenmore, 9/15/2010.
+ It appears that she has more age makeup on in the hospital than when she got out of the taxi earlier. Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 4/06/15.
++ In the hospital her makeup would have been removed, theoretically making her appear less youthful. Also, after a serious heart attack, the victim's skin may appear ashen. [But, yes, I agree the "age makeup" was a bit heavy-handed.] jfh 06Nov2019

The facial difference between the young drunk woman who gets out of the taxi and the old heart attack victim at the hospital is so striking that it caused confusion for me in understanding the story. If you told me they were two different actresses, I could believe it...MikeM. 1/12/2017
Agreed. I recall seeing this episode earlier, so I remembered something strange about the woman in the cab and hospital. And then when I saw her in the hospital I didn't recognize her as the same woman but I knew that was the discrepancy I remembered. —yelocab 18MAR19

The song played during the opening scene is the same melody used for my high school’s Alma Mater, but I recall that it’s something more famous. If anyone knows it, please post in Trivia! Submitted by gracenote, 7/12/2011.
+ As mentioned above in Trivia, it's Gaudeamus Igitur. OLEF641 4/2/21

Location?: It would be nice to know the distance and direction of some of the cities, towns, etc. in relation to Los Angeles in the Perry Mason Universe. Euclid Heights must be in the same Jurisdiction as Palm View (episode 130) since Sgt. Landro was the police officer in charge and actor Charles Irving was the judge both times. Submitted by H. Mason 11/14/14

We don't see Cromwell discovering the body and it wasn't really mentioned that he had done so. We didn't even see if Haskell was already dead when Cromwell entered. Are we supposed to wonder if Perry's client is really guilty? Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 4/06/15

Rare appearance by a black actor: Morris Erby as the orderly Jonas. Submitted by WJones 2/18/16 Wow, a cast of 23 with many notable actors, some with minor roles. Joe B. 01/07/21

Senioritis John Wilder, who played the love smitten student editor, was 25 here...and looked it. While that is by no means unrealistic - even today, and would have made yet more sense in 1961 when enrollment after military service was common - it seems at odds with his behavior...more suited to a high schooler. Graded by Notcom, 020218.

Economizing or just tasteless? That courtroom set is not only claustrophobically small, it is ugly and looks slapped together from cheap materials. Looks like it could fall apart if one of the actors sneezed! The layout is bizarre, too, with the witness box jutting miles out from the judge's table, and what appears to be a jury stand (box?) with about 3 people in it. The other spectators are crammed together most uncomfortably. Not sure what the producers were thinking! Submitted by JazzBaby, 3/5/2019.
I also noticed that big blank wall behind the 3 people in the jurors box. It seemed strange, when they usually have very good courtroom sets. —yelocab 18MAR19

TCOT Silenced Secretary Now that I'm 12 episodes into Season 5, I am increasingly disappointed by the change in Barbara Hale's role. In the earlier seasons, Della was Perry's sidekick, always seated next to him at his desk during client meetings, out in the field with him investigating, discussing cases with him and contributing ideas. She found a few clues, too! We saw intimate scenes, such as her sleeping on the office couch or making Perry dinner at his apartment. She was a major player and part of the appeal of the show. Now? She's absent from meetings, if not whole episodes; David Gideon gets to yack it up and go in the field instead of her; she's mostly silent when she is present, and Perry no longer engages her in discussions of cases and clues. One wonders what happened. Did she want a lighter workload because of her kids? Was there a change in producers, with someone less amenable to strong women coming on board? Whatever the reason, it reduces the charm of the show significantly for me. Submitted by JazzBaby, 3/5/2019.

When Perry goes to visit Mrs. Cromwell, as she is on the phone, she opens the door, he asks where her husband is, she says she doesn't know, and then Perry just enters the house, uninvited, to continue the conversation. I'm sure it cuts out a few unneccesary seconds by not asking if he can come in, but seems a little bold. -yelocab 18MAR19

Maizie's $2,000 gift was designated to be used as a scholarship for "male students". Yeah, I know, early 1960s, B-girl background, but it seems odd. jfh 19Nov2020