"Perry Mason" (1957)TV series 1957-1966

Writers:

Sam Elkin (writer)
Lawrence Menkin (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Release Date:

21 September 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

A master attorney works difficult criminal cases for his clients.

Plot Keywords:

Suspect | Beautiful Woman | Courtroom Drama | Secretary | Prosecutor

Awards:

Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Raymond Burr	...	Perry Mason / ... (271 episodes, 1957-1966)
William Hopper	...	Paul Drake / ... (224 episodes, 1957-1966)
Barbara Hale	...	Della Street (221 episodes, 1957-1966)
William Talman	...	Hamilton Burger / ... (180 episodes, 1957-1966)
Ray Collins	...	Lt. Tragg / ... (163 episodes, 1957-1965)

Runtime:

60 min | USA:60 min (271 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Chaplin Studios - 1416 N. La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

CBS Television

Trivia:

Perry Mason author Erle Stanley Gardner appeared in the final episode, "The Case of the Final Fade Out" uncredited as the second judge.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the episode "Case of the Crying Comedian", actress Sue Ane Langdon is seen sitting at the bar, then she comes down the stairs and moments later is seen sitting at the bar again.

Quotes:

Della Street: [a simple question] What do you know about art?
Paul Drake: [astonished] Me? I don't even know what I like!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Omen IV: The Awakening (1991) (TV)

Excellent!

More than 40 years since the series debut, Perry Mason is still a classic, and is highly watchable today without seeming dated. The first half of the show tells the story of the events leading up to the murder and the preliminary investigation of the crime, while the second half of the hour dealt with the subsequent trial, where Mason exposed the truth in the courtroom. The plots were quite complex at times, but the writers also treated viewers with intelligence. The acting was superb by all, and even the bit players do an excellent job. Probably my favorite character was private detective Paul Drake, whom apparently could dig up any fact no matter how obscure within a short period of time. Much better than the 2 hour movies produced in the 1980s and early 90s, Perry Mason will always be a classic in the history of television.