The Case of the Thermal Thief (14 Jan. 1965)

With Perry Mason away in Europe, his friend Ken Kramer takes on the case of Lona Upton, accused of murdering Maxine Nichols who was found dead in the park across the street from where she ... See full summary »

Director:

Jack Arnold

Writers:

Robert C. Dennis (teleplay), Erle Stanley Gardner (characters created by)

Stars:

Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, William Hopper

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Raymond Burr	...	Perry Mason (credit only)
Barbara Hale	...	Della Street
William Hopper	...	Paul Drake
William Talman	...	Hamilton Burger
Ray Collins	...	Lt. Tragg (credit only)
Wesley Lau	...	Lt. Andy Anderson
Barry Sullivan	...	Kenneth W. Kramer
Bettye Ackerman	...	Amy Reid
Burt Metcalfe	...	Jeffrey Mills
Kathie Browne	...	Lona Upton
Robert Strauss	...	Pete Kamboly
Richard Eastham	...	Roland Canfield
Nina Shipman	...	Maxine Nichols
Joyce Van Patten	...	Fay Gilmer
Noel Drayton	...	Mr. Costelni

Storyline

With Perry Mason away in Europe, his friend Ken Kramer takes on the case of Lona Upton, accused of murdering Maxine Nichols who was found dead in the park across the street from where she was staying. Maxine was a thief and had only just recently been released from prison. She had weaseled her way into the home of Amy Reid and had quickly become friends with Amy's half-sister Lona Upton. Maxine had stolen a necklace from Amy's safe that turned out to be just a cheap paste imitation. When Kramer establishes a connection between Maxine and Amy Reid's dead and much revered husband Dion, it leads to the identity of the killer.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 January 1965 (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

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

A weak episode and here's why...

There's no Raymond Burr?! Barry Sullivan was brought in to play a lawyer like Perry Mason, but even with the same lines and same intellect, it doesn't wash! Only Raymond Burr can handle this material and make us really believe in Perry Mason. Sullivan tries, but only comes across as smug and arrogant whereas Burr does the same thing and appears thoughtful and provoking.

What happened to Raymond Burr for this one episode? He's in the one just before and one just after, and I don't think I ever saw him not in any other, so what was the deal? Anyone know? I bet the complaint desk at the network back in 1965 when this episode was shown was awash with angry calls and mail. I would have complained had I been able to, but I was just a kid and didn't see the show then.