The Case of the Pathetic Patient (28 Oct. 1961)

Dr. Wayne Edley has been working hard to start up a new medical practice in a small community. He's invested the money his wife Janice received from an uncle in a new medical center which ... See full summary »

Director:

Bernard L. Kowalski

Writers:

Erle Stanley Gardner (characters created by), Maurice Zimm

Stars:

Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, William Hopper

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Raymond Burr	...	Perry Mason
Barbara Hale	...	Della Street
William Hopper	...	Paul Drake
Ray Collins	...	Lt. Arthur Tragg (credit only)
Skip Homeier	...	Dr. Edley
Frank Cady	...	Joe / Hiram Widlock
Virginia Gregg	...	Mrs. Osborn
Richard Eastham	...	Prosecutor Parness
Mort Mills	...	Sergeant Ben Landro
Peter Whitney	...	Roger Gates
Bek Nelson	...	Janice Edley
Ed Kemmer	...	Leslie Hall (as Edward Kemmer)
Charles Irving	...	Judge
Wally Brown	...	Mr. Morgan - Manager
Percy Helton	...	Asa Cooperman

Storyline

Dr. Wayne Edley has been working hard to start up a new medical practice in a small community. He's invested the money his wife Janice received from an uncle in a new medical center which they've had built by an old friend of hers. He runs into a bit of trouble however when a former patient, Hiram Widlock accuses him of malpractice. He's prepared to settle for $5,000 and Janice suggests to her husband that they speak to Leslie Hall, her one-time boyfriend. Edley wants nothing to do with Hall. When Hall is found dead, Edley is charged with murder and Perry Mason defends him.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 1961 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 4, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paisano Productions, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Perry tells Paul to look at page 2 on the newspaper, but Paul turns to page 3, where the article about the murder is.

User Reviews

Good mystery left hanging by a terrible ending.

Even though this episode had a mystery that left the viewer on the edge of their seat-- when it came down to the end of the show we get a confession that is as lame as any in the entire series. Without the slightest piece of evidence the writers decide to make the true murderer someone that even Jessica Fletcher would have never guessed.

With many 'Perry Mason' episodes you can look back and get some hint of why the person would be a prime suspect. But in this case, do not even try there is no reason to suspect the person -- which makes the outcome of the show particular upsetting.

As stated, the show's mystery is interesting. It begins when a young doctor, Dr Edley, is trying to make a businesses in a small community outside of LA. He has taken over for a long time doctor that has now retired and went abroad. Dr. Edley is visited by a swindler named Joe Widlock. He is trying to sue for malpractice but will be happy with a $5,000 pay out.

While Dr. Edley is talking this out with Perry, someone pays off Joe Widlock. Dr Edley ,believing that his wife has paid the man off, is angered. When he starts looking for his wife, it leads him to the house of Leslie Hall. (Hall happens to be an old boyfriend of his wife.) Inside Hall's house he finds what appears to be his wife's gloves and also evidence that Hall was destroying records on Joe Widlock. A small fisticuffs breaks out before Dr. Edley leaves.

The next day, the police find Leslie Hall dead and the old retired doctor buried in a flower box. All evidence points to Dr. Edley as the murderer. Perry will defend our Doctor Edley in court on charges of murder.

With all this action, plus some more interesting twist with the malpractice patient, we are on the edge of our seat waiting on the trial. Only to have it blow up in our face like an over-inflated tire. Thus bringing us to the confession that is in need of a slightest bit of proof.

This could have been a great episode-- instead leaves the viewer dazed and confused. Better luck on the next episode.