The Case of the Fiery Fingers

Mostly thanks to Lenore Shanewise, this is an above average Perry Mason episode. Imdb and their 150 character requirements is a royal pain and discourages reviewers.

Wealthy Louise Gordon finds out that her husband, George, is cheating on her. In the ensuing argument and tussle, Louise falls down the stairs and becomes an invalid as a result. She tells her cousin and caretaker, Vicky Braxton, that she realizes her husband married her only for her money and that she plans to write him out of her will.

Meanwhile, Louise's nurse, the elderly Nora Mae, has a case of sticky fingers as she enjoys borrowing Louise's expensive jewelry, even wearing it out of the house at times! George confronts Nora Mae about the jewelry and threatens her with the police if she does not give Louise some pills that he gives her. The next day Louise is dead from poisoning and Nora Mae is arrested for the murder. Looks rather cut and dried doesn't it? Not with Perry Mason on the case.

This was based on one of Erle Stanley Gardner's original Perry Mason novels, and as a result it has a rather short but interesting group of suspects. This differs from the later original screenplays that are more complex but would probably be indecipherable in a purely written medium. To me the actual murderer was just too doe eyed and made a mistake that was obvious. But I say that as a veteran watcher of a bunch of these episodes over several seasons.

In explanation of calling Perry a profiteer - Nora Mae thinks that she is being very generous giving Perry five dollars for their initial consultation and ten dollars for the entire murder trial. This is probably a significant chunk of all she has in the world. Perry has a twinkle in his eye as he does not want to deprive her of this illusion and so accepts this payment with a smile on his face.

This is an interesting case. You have a rat for a husband, an intractable wife/victim, an old lady nurse, and some really self centered doctors. The plot plays out nicely and Perry comes across as a kindly guy. He is such a high profile lawyer, how does he find time to handle the case of this woman, who brings no money to his firm.

Fans of Perry Mason may be surprised to learn that Lenore Shanewise (Nora Mae Qincey), born in 1887 in Denver, Iowa, was instrumental in advancing the stage and acting career of Raymond Burr. She was a director of and actor in hundreds of productions with the Pasadena Playhouse, where Burr considered her as a mentor. She co-starred with Burr in two episodes of Perry Mason (her second appearance is in "The Case of the Reckless Rockhound," one of the series best offerings) and in two episodes of "Ironside." She also appeared in the Twilight Zone episode entitled "Kick the Can" (1962). She retired in 1967 and died in 1980. She's easily the most interesting thing about "The Case of the Fiery Fingers," her penny-pinching scenes with Perry and Della being standouts. Otherwise, it's a pedestrian episode, with an overly abrupt conclusion. But the Mason/Hale/Hopper dynamic never fails to entertain. And it doesn't hurt to add a star of Ms. Shanewise's caliber to the mix!

A great early episode of classic "Perry Mason". Contains some of the best court room scenes of the entire series. Plus we get to see that Perry is really a soft lovable Teddy Bear at heart. And anytime Connie Cezon, as Gertie, gets face time it is going to be a good show.

A sweet grand-ma like nurse, played by Lenore Shanewise, gets caught up in a family situation that is seen more in tabloids than on TV. Between affairs, money and stolen love letters you already know someone is not going to make it till the end of the show.

When Norman Mae Quincy, the sweet nurse, is accused of murder - not only do we as watchers feel sad for her but also Perry is caught up with this women's grandmother appearance. She called Lt Tragg a mean man and also gets friendly with the matrons in her cell block.

Rest of the episode is classic Mason. Excellent court room scenes with Lt Tragg being questioned by Perry and DA Burger. Even some scenes on how items get introduced as evidence into court proceeding.

At the end of the show it has one of the best scanning of the court room in any program or film. Begins at the witness-stand and the camera then scans to jurors- then to court room spectators- showing Burger, Tragg, Paul, Della and Perry and finally stops on our sweet ma-ma feeling sorry for the person in the witness-stand.

The final sweet scene is when Nora, our grand-ma, asked for the fee that Perry will be charging. When Perry asked her what is fair, she advises about $25. As the show fades out the elderly lady is counting out one dollar bills from her change purse into Perry's hand. Afterall he did save her from prison or as she said "much worse".

Worth watching!