Show138
The opening credits are a little different in that the title, “Based upon characters created by Erle Stanley Gardner” takes up the greater part of the screen. In previous episodes, it is to the right of the Justice statue, just like the episode name. Submitted by gracep, 12/7/2010.
+ Also in the previous episode "The Unwelcome Bride." Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 4/20/15.
The only episode I recall in which our victim was blown up. We’ve also had one episode each in which our victim was electrocuted in his bath and died in a plunging elevator. (Poor James Forrest both times). Any other unique murder methods we can think of? DOD 01/10/24
This was one of the more convoluted episodes in that most of the discovery occurred in the courtroom, and the events that led up to the murder were quite an entanglement—very difficult to follow. Submitted by gracep, 12/7/2010.
I thought that fans of "J. Pat O'Malley", playing Desert Rat Seth Tyson in this episode, would enjoy seeing and hearing him in his previous career as "Pat O'Malley", British tenor and principal vocalist with "Jack Hylton and His Orchestra".
Here is Pat at age 32 in a portrait made by Maurice Seymour, Chicago's "Photographer to the Celebrities", in Spring 1936 (Back of photo here & alternate link). The photo was taken just a few weeks before the end of the eight-month-long 1935/36 Jack Hylton tour of America. When Hylton returned to England, Pat stayed in America, taking on the initial "J." to distinguish himself from the other Pat O'Malley already in American film.
You can see and hear Pat on this 1931 Pathe Newsreel in a rehearsal session of the song "Choo Choo" (the final HMV recording made on 3 Feb 1931 is dubbed onto this video). Pat is the taller fellow in white shirt and tie, no vest, and is the vocalist furthest to the left when the backup trio joins him. Bandleader Jack Hylton is the middle man (jacket & tie) in the trio.
Here's a couple more Pat O'Malley vocals with Jack Hylton:
- We Just Couldn´t Say Good-Bye, 1932 ('60s Psychedelic Lyrics!)
- By A Waterfall, 1933 (should have been background music in this episode!)
The Official Jack Hylton Website is here. "click to enter" then listen to downloads, etc.
A thumbnail sketch of Maurice Seymour Photographers is here, 4th item down.
The most complete online bio of "J. Pat" I've found is provided by Fans of the Original MMC. Here is J. Pat with other cast members of Ten Little Indians on Broadway, Halloween 1944. Added by Gary Woloski, 10/9/11, revised 5/13/14.
I like this episode but the prosecution's theory of the crime in my opinion was preposterous! A 28-year-old woman wants to kill someone so she builds a bomb? In 1 day, with no evidence that she knew how, could get the materials, or had ever done anything illegal in her life? There was no internet back then--believe it!--so she'd at least have had to make a trip to the library, then the hardware store, and then carry it around all day without fear of it blowing up in her golf bag in David's car. She's so independent she probably thought if a man could build a bomb, so could she. Perry should have lectured her about her independence before the crime! But i wonder, is there a resort in Manzana Valley? Near the lime mines? Submitted by DyNama 12/13/2013
+ For authoritative answers to any geographical questions about Manzana Valley you would have to ask Samuel Newman what he was imagining when he wrote this episode. See ep#186 Trivia, "Familiar Names" for an explanation. The probable filmed locale is Apple Valley in San Bernardino County. Check out the lime mines, golf courses and the desert riparian habitat of The Mojave, a roving river that's upside-down & backwards. Added by Gary Woloski, 2/5/14.
+ As noted in the Location trivia above, "Welshwoman" has claimed to have spotted the golf course in Victorville, right next-door to Apple Valley. Gary Woloski, 1/6/15.
To pile on the complaints, another major premise of this show - that the surveyor's intent is crucial to determining the boundary - just doesn't hold water either (though admittedly my background in riparian accretion is lacking). Certainly intent is crucial, but it would be the intent of whoever conveyed the deed, as expressed in the property description; the surveyor simply follows directions (determining the dimensions if the description is vague - e.g."from the road west to the middle of X River" - or actually marking the land if the description is explicit - "from the road 150' west")...there's nothing for him to "intend". Submitted by Notcom, 010616.
+Agreed, Notcom. I was a draftsman for a surveying company for 30 years, and while our surveyor testified in several land disputes, he was merely supporting what he had written. The whole point of a legal description is putting it in writing, unambiguously we hope. Descriptions would say "with the meanders" but specify actual corners in the river at the time of the survey. A definite line is needed to calculate area. I suppose a person could do something to prevent the river moving into his property if he wanted. Submitted by DyNama, 1/9/2016.
Sheriff Vincent is talking with Perry, Della and Paul at the murder scene. When he's done he then tips his hat to Della and exits. Just before Della delivers her line "brrr..." you can hear some extraneous words from off camera, possibly from a crew member. I can't make out what is being said. Kilo 1/10/2020.
+ I believe I have an answer. The words are coming from the Sheriff's radio in his vehicle. The distinctive scratchy sound is clearly that of words coming from a speaker. Submitted by Kenmore 8/29/2020
Robert Lowery, who plays Amos Bryant, was the second person to portray Batman on the screen. He played the caped crusader in the "Batman and Robin" serial which debuted in 1949. Submitted by Kenmore 8/29/2020