Show208
From Los Angeles to Korea - Burt Metcalfe (John Lathrop) would go on to assemble the cast and produce the show M*A*S*H for most of its award-winning run.
The Lumberlady, that “abandoned freighter by the old pier,” was a U.S. Army Transport during World War II. She was at dock in Long Beach (CA) in October 1941 and delivering troops to San Francisco in December 1945. Back in the Los Angeles-Long Beach Harbor, her “businesslike” name got her mentioned in a tourism ad for southern California in 1955. Research by daveb, submitted by Steve Fox, 1/14/2005.
+"General Cargo Ships Built in Great Lakes" states that USSB 1260/Cottonplant was built by the Great Lakes Eng. Works in Ecorse, MI: Cottonplant was renamed FA Warner in 1922, Lumberman in 1930 & LUMBERLADY IN 1940. LL was Scrapped in 1971 [website]. Mike Bedard 4.1.15
Anomaly: When John Lathrop answers his car phone, he identifies himself as “Lanthrop,” and Perry calls him that in the courtroom. Submitted by gracenote, 3/21/2011.
+ Mr. Lathrop was at least the second person besides Paul to be shown using a car phone (see episode 201). Added by H. Mason 3/31/15
A car phone would have been extraordinarily rare and expensive then. Don’t quite see a university professor could have afforded such a luxury. DOD 02/17/20
Sande Lukins revives a hungover David Pelham with a rather familiar and unquestionably Curious Coffee Set. Submitted by gracenote, 3/21/2011.
Although credited in both the opening and closing titles, the beloved Lt. Tragg fails again to appear in this episode. Submitted by gracenote, 3/21/2011.
Harry Isaacs Stanton was 1 of the 9 actors who Judged 2 Perrys [Statistics Page]. Mike Bedard 3.31.15
Sightings/Uncredited Actors: In the courtroom gallery, Distinguished Gentleman #1 strains his neck to see the witnesses testify. Meanwhile, Don Anderson sits comfortably behind Mrs. Pelham, and Quiet Old Man #1 sits…quietly behind Lt. Anderson. Robert Wegner guards the door. Submitted by gracenote, 3/21/2011.
+ And the Little Old Lady in a Hat sits in awe behind Della Street (we see her when Della gets up at one point). Submitted by gracenote, 8/14/2011.
+ + Rudolph “Rudy” Salinger (Distinguished Gentleman #1) has had named roles in other episodes -- as a waiter and as an elevator operator -- and in both his character name was Rudy. Submitted by catyron, September 3rd, 2021.
+ + +
A racially diverse crowd is present in the courtroom. jfh 17Jan2017.
+Not to mention the forensics expert that testifies about the letters found on the body. Seems a bit young for the job IMO. DellaMason 12/23
When he is testifying, Lt Anderson appears to have a cold sore or pimple on his upper lip.
Garland Lee Thompson was born on February 14, 1938 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. When he was 7 years old, he moved with his family to Portland, Oregon. At the age of 20 he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. His first role was as a dancer in the 1958 film adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s "South Pacific." He appeared in two Perry Mason episodes. In addition to film and television, he also acted on stage and was a New York theater producer, writer, and director. With Frank Silvera (another African American actor who also appeared in Perry Mason), Garland co-founded the Writers’ Workshop. He died on November 18, 2014 at the age of 76. Submitted by catyron, September 2nd, 2021
+ Star Trek Alert: Thompson also appeared in two original series Star Trek episodes, "The Enemy Within" and "Charlie X". He plays crewman Wilson in both, and I believe is the first credited African American male actor in the series. Submitted by MyFavoritePolarBear, 11/22/22.
This is the first of two PM appearances for Mimsy Farmer, whose birth name was Merle Farmer...MikeM. 1/17/2017
This is the first of two PM appearances for Marilyn Erskine, whose 1945 marriage to Stanley Kramer was annulled in two months. Marilyn Erskine married an insurance executive in 1955. Wikipedia says Marilyn Erskine is now 92 years old...MikeM. 5/29/2018
The music played on an accordion at the "Pizza Pie" restaurant is "Santa Lucia," made particularly famous by a lovely recording by the great Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. Pizza is a typical dish of Naples, the song references the Borgo Santa Lucia in the Bay of Naples, and Enrico Caruso was a resident of Naples. By some bizarre synchronicity, my husband and i decided not to cook our dinner tonight, but to eat "pizza pie" from the Forestville Pizza restaurant while watching Perry Mason. Submitted by catyron, June 10th, 2018
Actor Tudor Owen would have been a viable contended for a "thickest eyebrows" contest! Nice! Ed Zoerner, 5/29/2024