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#180: The Case of the
Potted Planter
Original Airdate: 05/09/63

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
In the farming community of Palmetto, gossip is a major form of recreation. Martin Walden's sister Frances uses this to break up his marriage. She pays Martin's nephew $1,000 to fake an affair with Andrea Walden. Martin, however, needs no encouragement to suspect his wife of adultery. He thinks she's been seeing an old flame, Nelson Tarr.

Martin and Tarr have bad blood and bad business between them, enough reason for the authorities to suspect one when the other is found dead.

Perry journeys to Palmetto to defend Tarr.

Credits Edit

Random actor from episode. Click for page of all available.

Opening

Starring Raymond Burr
in The Case of THE POTTED PLANTER
Based upon characters created by Erle Stanley Gardner
Barbara Hale, William Hopper, Ray Collins

Trailing

Directed by Jesse Hibbs
Written by Robert C. Dennis
Art Seid | Producer
Gail Patrick Jackson | Executive Producer
Jackson Gillis | Associate Producer
Samuel Newman | Story Consultant

Raymond Burr as Perry Mason
Barbara Hale as Della Street
William Hopper as Paul Drake
Ray Collins as Lt. Tragg

Cast

Constance Ford as Frances
Diane Brewster as Andrea Walden
Paul Fix as District Attorney Hale
Mark Goddard as Roy Mooney
Robert Bray as Martin Walden
Joe Maross as Nelson Tarr
Davey Davison as Melinda Tarr
William Allyn as David Pinter
Harry Lauter as Chris Hearn
Frank Behrens as Doctor Oldham
Robert Foulk as Delehanty
Allan Hunt as Jimmie Moore
David Macklin as Boy
Jaclyn Carmichael as Girl
Jamie Forster as Judge
Pepper Curtis as Receptionist
Richard Emory as Interne

Uncredited Actors
Bert Stevens as Courtroom Spectator (added by gracenote, 2/4/2011)

Crew

“Perry Mason”
Director of Photography … Robert G. Hager
Art Direction … Lewis Creber
Assistant Director … Robert G. Stone
Film Editor … Richard H. Cahoon, A.C.E.
Casting … Harvey Clermont
Makeup … Irving Pringle
Hair Stylist … Annabell
Wardrobe Supervision … Ed McDermott, Evelyn Carruth
Set Decoration … Sandy Grace
Properties … Ray Thompson
Production Sound Mixer … Herman Lewis
Script Supervision … Cosmo Genovese
Theme Composed by … Fred Steiner

Perry Mason
Produced by the CBS Television Network in association with Paisano Productions

Trivia Edit

Paul Fix makes the final, of five, appearances here on Perry playing District Attorney Hale. In four of the five appearances Mr. Fix’s character name was Hale, and in one no name was given. In each episode he was the District Attorney, however each time he was practicing in a different city. Of course Paul Fix was better known for his role as a judge, the judge in To Kill A Mockingbird. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 16 December 2009.
+ The painting in DA Hale's office looks like a picture of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Mike Bedard 3/16/2017.
++ Fans of classic Westerns will remember Fix as Marshal Michah Torrance in the TV series The Rifleman. Submitted by francis, 6/13/12.
+++ Paul Fix also played the first doctor on Star Trek with William Shatner. All three doctors from the original Star Trek have appeared on Perry Mason: John Hoyt, Paul Fix, and DeForest Kelley. Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 6/16/12.
++++ Paul Fix became friends with John Wayne, early in Wayne's career. Fix appeared in many of John Wayne's movies. Also, Paul Fix was known for his many career appearances in Western movies and TV shows. Submitted by Bob61571, 12/14/2017.

Perry and Della have coffee after court with innocent Melinda and a Curious Coffee Set. Submitted by gracenote, 9 February 2011.

For the last time this season, Ray Collins does not appear as Lt. Tragg, despite being billed so. Nice work if you can get it. Submitted by gracenote, 9 February 2011.
+ Even odder: William Tallman's name is omitted from the credits, rightfully, since Hamilton Burger does not appear in this episode; but Ray Collins's name does appear, even though Tragg does not. -Submitted by 10yearoldfan, 21 Dec 2013.
++ Not so odd. As written elsewhere it all depends on the actor's contract. After his arrest, William Talman's contract was changed that he would only be credited for episodes he appeared in (although one episode made a mistake by crediting him when he didn't appear). Ray Collins' contract always stated he would be credited regardless of whether he appeared on not and this continued until his death. Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 12/26/13.

++Producer Gail Patrick Jackson also said in an interview that the reason they continued to credit Collins was to keep his spirits up while he was fighting a debilitating illness. Jackson claimed that even when he was very ill and close to death, they wanted him to believe he might still recover and claim his place on the show. Submitted by DellaMason

A familiar jazz theme composed by Jerry Goldsmith can be heard in this episode. Originally composed for a CBS pilot years before, this music can be heard in several episodes of Perry Mason and The Twilight Zone. The full 3:13 track can be found on The Twilight Zone: The Original Television Scores Volume Four album (Varese Sarabande STV81192) and CD The Best of The Twilight Zone Original Television Scores Volume I (VCD47233). Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 6/16/12.

Location. Clues to the location of the fictional town of "PALMETTO" lead us in circles:

  • "COME AGAIN - PALMETTO CALIFORNIA - THE FLOWER CITY - ELEV. 212 - POP. 28590" says the authentic-looking sign as Melinda rides out of town in the opening shot.
  • As Melinda walks back to town (5:02) she passes a mileage sign reading "PALMETTO 5, LANCASTER 25, LOS ANGELES 106". This places Palmetto in the Antelope Valley of Northern Los Angeles County, possibly near Edwards AFB. Elevations in the Palmdale-Lancaster-Edwards AFB area are just over 2300 feet (Mojave in Kern County is 2762 feet).
  • The character Delehanty is a Police Chief (town or city), not a County Sheriff: Pinter and Frances both refer to him as "Chief" and Frances also addresses him as "Joe".
  • The shoulder patch worn by Delehanty and the court attendants is shield-shaped with a lighted-torch & scroll motif and an unreadable script: it's not identifiable as any organization's insignia.
  • The old Town Hall or Courthouse shown at 31:54 likewise gives no clue as to location. The shot is probably pre-1949, see Cars (a), (b) & (c).

Lacking an internet in 1963, the writer(s) perhaps didn't know that there actually is a Palmetto, CA 6½ miles South of Storrie on the SouthWestern edge of Plumas County in Northern California: elev 5134 feet, pop 0. That might be a good spot for a winter ski cabin but not-so-good for a "Flower City". Added by Gary Woloski, 10/16/13.
+ It is only 69 miles along CA 14 from Lancaster to Los Angeles. The sign 5 miles outside of Palmetto indicates that it is 106 miles to LA and 25 miles to Lancaster. If you subtract 25 from 106, you get 81 miles, so Palmetto, Lancaster, and LA cannot be along one road in a straight line. Submitted by catyron, May 16th, 2018
++ Although its appearance is brief, I believe the "Old Town Hall" (see above) is actually the Courthouse Square Set at Universal Studios, elevation 600'...a site that Paul Fix was no stranger to. Given the dating of cars (see below) and the presence of a tower on the building , it appears the scene is an outtake from An Act of Murder, the 1948 movie in which it first appeared. Notcom, 052220.

CARS. (1) 1960 Honda Super Cub, yellow-plate Lic No 155672. It's Melinda riding to Walden Nurseries. The basic bicycle-type fender indicates it may be a very early import by American Honda.

Incidental Cars parked in front of the "Palmetto" Courthouse (31:56), R to L at bottom of screen:

The distinct absence of any vehicles built later than 1948 in the Courthouse shot leads me to believe that it was filmed prior to 1949. Added by Gary Woloski, 10/17/13.
+ The comment for Car(b) can be widened: in general, cars of the 1948 model-year differed from U.S. passenger cars of 1941-'42 only in such minor features as grills and trim. Compare images (a), (b) & (c) to: '47 Plymouth Woodie, '41 Chrysler and '46 Olds. A genuine "1943 Chrysler" was actually a tank. For an account of Chrysler auto production 1940-'46, see here. Gary Woloski 7/12/17.

Anomaly: At 19:40, just before the near-collision, David Pinter's car is clearly driving on the left side of the road around a blind curve. Very bad driving for anyone, especially a trained lawyer. - Submitted by 10yearoldfan, 21 December 2013.

A Gavel: For the first time since episode 80 there was a gavel in the courtroom. A gavel was used at the school board meeting in episode 163. Submitted by H. Mason 2/11/15

Harry Lauter: This was his only Perry Mason appearance as Chris Hearn, the banker. Science fiction fans might remember him as a regular on Rocky Jones, Space Ranger. His most memorable sci-fi role was probably in The Day The Earth Stood Still. He was the lieutenant who reached for an empty holster after Klaatu picked up his damaged gift for the president. Submitted by H. Mason 2/11/15
+ Harry Lauter was also one of the stars of "Tales Of The Texas Rangers", a series that ran during the 1958-59 season. Submitted by D. Tlougan, 2/20/15.

This is the only PM appearance for Diane Brewster, who was teacher Miss Canfield for the first season of Leave It To Beaver...MikeM. 12/8/2016

This is the first of two PM appearances for Mark Goddard, who was Lost In Space from 1965-1968...MikeM. 12/8/2016
+ Mark's other PM episode was Frustrated Folk Singer/# 226. Mike B.
++ Mark Goddard was not your typical character actor; he had recurring parts:

  • 1959-1960: 38 episodes of Johnny Ringo
  • 1960-1962: 64 episodes of The Detectives
  • 1964-1965: 26 episodes of Many Happy Returns
  • 1965-1968: 84 episodes of Lost in Space

Submitted by catyron, May 16th, 2019

This is the third of five "unnamed" PM credits for Pepper Curtis, who was married to actor Howard Curtis...MikeM. 3/16/2017

WHAT IS THAT THING? Cue The Twilight Zone theme! As Andrea and Melinda arrive at the Tarr house at 7:47, there is a huge structure on the skyline above the rooftops, Screen Left. The structure has some resemblance to a Circularly Disposed Antenna Array (CDAA) but seems to be much taller. It looks very spooky looming over the Tarrs' street here in "Palmetto" but it wasn't visible in the preceding ep#179, in which the same Location was filmed as the Laytons' street in "Cliffside Heights" (here in ep#180 the camera is across the street from the Tarrs' house but in ep#179 the camera was on the same side of the street as the houses, the line-of-sight to the mystery-structure apparently being blocked by the roof-line). Can anyone:

  • Identify the real location of the street filmed as the Layton/Tarr street?
  • Remember structures like this? Or,
  • Unequivocally recall what the mystery structure was and where it was?

The question is: What is that thing? Added by Gary Woloski, 10/10/13.
+ Big "THANK-YOU"s are in order for Perry Mason Fans Rory and SkipF, who have identified what the structure is. See Comments Section below under the SPOILER WARNING! Added by Gary Woloski, 10/25/13.

In the opening scene where Melinda is riding her motor scooter to the Walden Nurseries at night her headlight shining on the side of the building appears as the dual headlights of a car. Submitted by Kilo 10/31/2017.

This episode featured the following 3 actors with almost exactly the same roles in PM Episode 45 - TCOT Buried Clock: Jamie Forster(Judge), Paul Fix(DA Hale), and Robert Foulk(as a sheriff's deputy). ......Submitted by Bob61571, 12/14/2017.

This is the first of four PM appearances for David Macklin, who played Jack Klugman's son on the 13-episode television series "Harris Against the World"...MikeM. 4/5/2018

Constance Ford appeared in 2,517 episodes of the daytime drama, "Another World" from 1967 - 1992. Submitted by catyron, May 16th, 2018

Signage The Peppermint Palace signs are as follows:

  • Fresh Tasty Malts -- Sparkling Sodas
  • Peppermint Palace Flavors
  • Vanilla - Cherry-Vanilla - Butterscotch
  • Strawberry - Pistachio - Coffee

Somehow the idea of the teenagers of Palmetto going gaga over a Pistachio Malt strikes me as weird. Submitted by catyron, May 16th, 2018
+ Not Weird! Malted-anything was my favourite! Should be brought back everywhere! Gary Woloski, 5/18/18.

Comments Edit

Constance Ford really has a sinister way about her. Similar to the maid from the film Rebecca.

The question is: What is that huge structure on the skyline looming over the Tarrs' street in "Palmetto"?

I think we are seeing the superstructure of a collapsible or telescoping natural gas storage tank. See the 'gas holder' entry in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_holder). Rory 10/24/13.

(and submitted by email on same date:)

The structure mentioned in the Trivia entry is actually a Natural Gas tank, called a 'gas holder'. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_holder . We HAD two telescoping holders in Framingham, Ma; where I grew up. From SkipF via email on 10/24/13.

+ This is fascinating stuff. You can sometimes see Gas Holders on the opening panoramic shots of Dragnet, when Joe Friday is doing his "This is the city...Los Angeles..." travelogue. This might help you confirm their locations. What a tempting terrorist target they would be today. Submitted by 65tosspowertrap, 3-11-2014.

TIME TUNNEL Perspective: Original "Potted Planter" viewers might have heard on MAY 9, 1963: "US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site," takemeback.to. Cold War themes sometimes appeared in PM episodes. Mike Bedard 2.18.15.

That elaborate staircase set makes yet another brief appearance when Jimmy is on the phone with Nelson Tarr.

Spoiler Warning! Do Not Read Below If You Have Not Seen The Episode

Bad Information: After it was revealed that Martin Walden aka Edward Montrose did not lose his money gambling, what did Paul mean when he said: "...Walden's a bad loser. He cries to the bartenders a lot..."? Submitted by H. Mason 2/11/15

Martin Walden, who was using the alias Edward Montrose in Las Vegas, could have been setting up an excuse for why he didn't have the money. But then, why didn't the bartenders gossip with the pit bosses or dealers? $20,000 in 1963 is like $155,000 in 2016. lowercase masonite, 3/5/16.

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