Perry Mason (1957–1966)

A master attorney works difficult criminal cases for his clients.

Creator:

Erle Stanley Gardner

Stars:

Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, William Hopper

Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Raymond Burr	...	Perry Mason (271 episodes, 1957-1966)
Barbara Hale	...	Della Street (271 episodes, 1957-1966)
William Hopper	...	Paul Drake (271 episodes, 1957-1966)
Ray Collins	...	Lt. Arthur Tragg (236 episodes, 1957-1965)
William Talman	...	Hamilton Burger (228 episodes, 1957-1966)

Storyline

Perry Mason is an attorney who specializes in defending seemingly indefensible cases. With the aid of his secretary Della Street and investigator Paul Drake, he often finds that by digging deeply into the facts, startling facts can be revealed. Often relying on his outstanding courtroom skills, he often tricks or traps people into unwittingly admitting their guilt.

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Plot Keywords:

courtroom | secretary | perry mason | two word title | name in title | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 September 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Perry Mason yllättää

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Paisano Productions, TCF Television Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (271 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

George E. Stone had the most credited guest appearances in the series with 45. He played the court clerk. Kenneth MacDonald and S. John Launer each had 32 guest appearances as judges.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Referenced in Petticoat Junction: What's a Trajectory? (1965)

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Soundtracks

"Park Avenue Beat"
(uncredited)
Written by Fred Steiner
(series theme)

User Reviews

Perry Mason: Television film noire

The original "Perry Mason," in glorious black & white, is in the tradition of the great film noir films of the '40s and '50s. The cases have a poetic reality to them, clashing and understandable motives, psychology, and murder. Because the motives of all involved are understandable, there is not lacking a painful sympathy for those caught up in the circumstances described, even for the perpetrator. But there is a grim darkness to the program as well. The program gradually ran down during its life, so that, when it went off the air, it was probably time. The original 1957-1958 season was the best, with the most intricate plots and with Perry Mason a wiseguy thorn in the side of the police. The cast is perfect, and even the score fits perfectly this brooding and ironic look at life and fate.