| 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 | ... | Police Lt. Arthur Tragg / ... 241 episodes, 1957-1965 | |
| William Talman | ... | Hamilton Burger / ... 224 episodes, 1957-1966 | |
| Don Anderson | ... | Courtroom Spectator / ... 128 episodes, 1957-1966 | |
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Lee Miller | ... | Police Sgt. Brice / ... 120 episodes, 1957-1966 |
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. Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>
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.