"The Case of the Jealous Jokester" may not have been a remarkable movie, but it deserves attention because it represents the end of what was basically a 38-year run for the Perry Mason series, as it was. By the time this movie ran, Ray Collins (Lt. Tragg) had been dead for 30 years; William Tallman (Hamilton Burger), 27 years; William Hopper (Paul Drake), 25 years; and Raymond Burr, 1½ years. And Barbara Hale herself seemed to be bowing out. It was as well that the movie franchise ended.
That said, Hal Holbrook is fun to watch, and I agree he should have had his own series, rather then try to fill in Raymond Burr's shoes. However, things are what they are. It is clear that, with this production, the end had come on this series. And it is reflected when the star of a TV series is murdered. Reminds me of the 1966 series finale of "Perry Mason." And remember, there was a time in the sixth season of the original series, when Raymond Burr was unavailable because of health reasons. So this TV movie seems not so unusual.
Anyway, it has its place as the final installment of a series that dated back to September 1957.
That said, Hal Holbrook is fun to watch, and I agree he should have had his own series, rather then try to fill in Raymond Burr's shoes. However, things are what they are. It is clear that, with this production, the end had come on this series. And it is reflected when the star of a TV series is murdered. Reminds me of the 1966 series finale of "Perry Mason." And remember, there was a time in the sixth season of the original series, when Raymond Burr was unavailable because of health reasons. So this TV movie seems not so unusual.
Anyway, it has its place as the final installment of a series that dated back to September 1957.