Perry Mason: King of the Courtroom

by Guy Belleranti

One of the first names that might come to mind when the words “courtroom drama” are mentioned is “Perry Mason”. Based upon characters created by the best-selling mystery writer Erle Stanley Gardner, Perry Mason was one of the most popular programs on television from 1957 to 1966.

The majority of the episodes followed a common, and fun, formula: Shortly into the program a murder is committed. Soon after, an innocent person is arrested for the crime. Not too much later Perry Mason is hired on as the defendant’s attorney.

Then, the real excitement would begin. For Mason was no ordinary lawyer. Aided by both his very capable and lovely secretary, Della Street, and by Paul Drake of the Drake Detective Agency, Mason would wheel into action displaying immense skill both as a detective and lawyer. Sometimes his investigations meant cutting corners, where he did things that were just this side of legal. Of course, such actions by Mason would always rile the police and the district attorney’s office.

Much of the second half of the hour-long program usually took place in the courtroom, with Mason springing spectacular bombshells on District Attorney Hamilton Burger. Often, Mason broke down the guilty party right on the witness stand.

Over 270 episodes aired during the program’s nine year run. A number of them were based on Gardner’s original novels. Others were created by writers specifically for the series.

Several things made this show stand out as a classic:

1) The cast: Raymond Burr, handsome, rugged and deep-voiced made a great Perry Mason. Barbara Hale was a perfect Della Street. Other standout regulars included William Hopper as Private Investigator Paul Drake, William Talman as District Attorney Hamilton Burger and Ray Collins as Police Lieutenant Arthur Tragg.

2) Guest stars included many famous or soon-to-be famous people. A few were Bette Davis, Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek’s Mr. Spock), Ryan O’Neal, Dick Clark (of American Bandstand fame), Adam West (TV’s Batman) and a young Robert Redford.

3) The wonderful and atmospheric black and white cinematography really enhanced the mood, often giving the program a nourish look. Note: one episode was filmed in color. Titled The Case of the Twice-Told Twist, it appeared in the second half of the program’s final season.

4) The episodes’ creative titles added to the fun. Like Gardner’s books each of the TV episodes began with the words “The Case of”. A few examples: The Case of the Meddling Medium, The Case of the Lazy Lover, The Case of the Negligent Nymph and The Case of the Capricious Corpse.

5) The stories themselves: It was great fun trying to figure out who was the true guilty party. During the courtroom scenes the camera would often move from the face of one possible suspect to another, building the suspense.

6) The wonderful theme music was and is still one of television’s most recognized. It remains one of my own personal favorites.

A few other interesting notes about Perry Mason are:

1) In the final episode titled “The Case of the Final Fade- out” Erle Stanley Gardner himself had a small uncredited part as a judge.

2) In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale returned to TV as Perry Mason and Della Street in a number of TV movies.

3) The original series has continued to be shown on various channels over the past 40 years, entertaining old and new fans alike.

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