Reviews
Perry Mason: The Case of the Devious Delinquent (1963)
Just Plain Dumb Delinquent
Tim Balfour has everything a young man could want. He lives in his grandfather's mansion, (a grandfather who still feels guilty for driving his son/Tim's father away years ago,) has nice clothes, a great car, a housekeeper who dotes after him. What more could he want? Much more apparently as he gets involved with a botched robbery this opens him up to extortion and/or blackmail. Rather than show some gumption, he comes up with creative lies to encourage the others to help him out. His continued excuses, reliance on the others' guilt, and just plain dumb actions make him one of the least sympathetic 'defendants' in the series.
When he is accused of murder one almost hopes he is guilty or that Perry Mason will lose a case for a change as this young man is not worth saving and should end up in jail, if only to protect viewers from ever having to list to him again. This episode is more uncomfortable than it is entertaining. The one redeeming part is the excellent performance by Virginia Christine as housekeeper Edith Summers.
Perry Mason: The Case of the Sausalito Sunrise (1966)
Paul Drake's Moments
In this unique episode, Paul Drake truly shines. He has no less then five scenes in which he is the main player with his many talents as a P. I. and as a character are on display. William Hopper shows a full range of character and emotions as he goes undercover, carries a gun and even gets handcuffed.
As well, this is one of the most complex and exciting episodes of the entire series. There are art thefts, kidnap attempts, truck hijackings, a car chase, two murders (one a month before the start), two disappearing clients, and an openly angry Perry Mason.
An exceptional episode for the final season.
The Black Arrow (1948)
Slow by today's standards, but with a great joust scene at the end!
Starkly made in classic black and white, this medieval adventure is set and in England at the end of the War of the Roses. The main character must cope with the death of his father, apparently at the hand of a once trusted neighbor. Naturally, a love interest is provided for him in the person of the daughter of his father's killer. The `Black Arrow' is the mysterious missive that keeps flying in, to suggest that things are not what they seem, and to motivate young Shelton to search for truth. Some good sword play, chase sequences, and a classic joust scene for the grand finale. A good film for a late afternoon unwind.