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#195: The Case of the
Accosted Accountant
Original Airdate: 01/09/64

Summary Edit

From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
Mutual suspicions of embezzlement between a man and his father-in-law lead up to a confrontation at a lake resort to which Paul and Perry have been invited. The expected argument never happens, though; the father-in-law has a letter opener plunged into his back, the son-in-law is charged with the murder, and Perry has another client to save.

Credits Edit

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Opening

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

Trailing

Directed by Arthur Marks
Written by Albert A. Vail and Samuel Newman
Arthur Marks / Art Seid | Producers
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
William Talman as Hamilton Burger
Ray Collins as Lt. Tragg
Wesley Lau as Lt. Anderson

Cast

Richard Anderson as Edward Lewis
Dee Hartford as Leslie Ross
Murray Matheson as B. K. Doran
Gail Kobe as Gertrude Lewis
Lynn Bari as Sylvia Cord
Leonard Stone as Arthur Sutton
J. Edward McKinley as Walter Cord
Jean Engstrom as Vera Hillman
Robert Armstrong as Phil Jenks
John Gallaudet as Judge Penner

Uncredited Actors
Don Anderson as Police Officer

Crew

“Perry Mason”
Director of Photography … Howard Schwartz, A.S.C.
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 … Carl Biddiscombe
Properties … Ray Thompson
Production Sound Mixer … Herman Lewis
Script Supervision … Marshall Schlom
Theme Composed by … Fred Steiner
Automobiles Supplied by … Ford Motor Company

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

Trivia Edit

Location: Most of the exteriors at the lake were shot at Malibou Lake just north of Malibu and south of Agoura. It remains much as it was in 1964. The small white bridge is still there. Added by Eric Cooper, 6/22/2009. Read more about this lake at The Lakes.

Alas, Tragg is only in the credits again. Submitted by gracenote, 3/2/2011.

Character Names: It is revealed that B.K.’s first name is Bruce. Submitted by gracenote, 3/2/2011.

Uncredited Actors: As he has many times before, Don Anderson plays a uniformed cop. This time, he collars the defendant. Submitted by gracenote, 8/9/2011.

Dee Hartford plays a sexy but scheming attorney is this, her first of three episodes. She also played "Miss Iceland" in 2 episodes of Batman, wore a silver miniskirt, boots, and android makeup as Verda in 3 episodes of Lost In Space, and played Helen Of Troy in an episode of Time Tunnel. In the summary at the end of this episode, the cast raves about her sex appeal, causing Perry and Della to quote Proverbs 1:10: "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." Submitted by DyNama, 11/15/2013
+ Ms Hartford only appeared as Verda (with several other technical names) in two episodes of Lost in Space: #36 "The Android Machine" and # 53 "Revolt of the Androids". In her third appearance #80 "Space Beauty" she was a different character called Nancy Pi Squared. Added by H. Mason 3/11/15

CARS. (1) Perry's white 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible, top down (15:02) & top up (27:47 on mountain road, overhead shot).

The '64 Dodge 330 was a trim level below the Polara. Added by Gary Woloski, 8/20/14.

Richard Anderson made 26 Perry appearances from 1964-66: 1 Accosted Accountant/1 state senate candidate/24 Lt. Drumm vs. Wesley Lau's 82 from 1961-65: 1 Impatient Partner/81 Lt. Anderson [IMDb]. Mike Bedard 3.11.15.
+ Richard Anderson died 31Aug2017, aged 91. jfh25Dec2017.

Sightings: The views of the courtroom gallery are rather blurry in this episode, but we can discern Pencil Mustache Man and Quiet Old Man #1 on the prosecutor’s side. Submitted by gracenote, 3/2/2011.
+In court, Distinguished Gentleman #1 watches from the back right side and Little Old Lady #1 from the back left side. Submitted by BigBill767, 6/18/2016.
+ Miss Carmody is at left in the courtroom gallery as well, quite blurry, but recognizable by the shape of her jawline, hair, hat, and neck, as always.

Guest Speakers: Leslie Ross mentioned she heard Perry Lecture while in a class at the University of San Fernando Valley. Judge Redmond told his secretary he could attend a law symposium at that school in episode 181 TCOT Witless Witness. Submitted by H. Mason 3/11/15

Goofs: At 41:30 on the DVD, Vera Hillman watches herself testify. Submitted by BigBill767, 6/18/2016.

This is the second of two PM appearances for Gail Kobe. In her first appearance, TCOT Lonely Heiress in 1958, she played Margo, Drake's secretary...MikeM. 12/29/2016

This is the first of two PM appearances for Lynn Bari, who was second in popularity to Betty Grable as a pin-up model during World War II...MikeM. 4/6/2017

This is the second of three PM appearances for Jean Engstrom. Her daughter, Jena Engstrom, made one PM appearance...MikeM. 4/26/2018

The Amazing 2D Bookshelf: The second scene, in the drawing room of the Lewis’ house, utilizes flats on the back wall that are supposed to be bookshelves full of books. They are obviously not real, and used earlier in this same season in one of the out-of-town courtrooms. (A viewer savvier than myself would be able to say which episode.) St. James 323, 9/13/21.

Comments Edit

Company Name: The business run by B.K. Doran was named Vero Plastic as seen on the wall outside of his office. The sign at the lodge said Vero Plastics. Submitted by H. Mason 3/11/15

Regulatory Overreach: At 2:10 on the DVD, Ed Lewis notes: "I've already checked with [attorney Leslie Ross] on the SEC statuary requirements for a proxy fight." While Dee Hartford as Miss Ross is indeed statuesque, the SEC's remit does not extend that far - surely he means 'statutory.' JohnK, 19 January 2018

When Gertrude notices that the letter opener is missing from its leather case, she's wearing a solid band on her left ring finger, yet moments later as she's watching her husband washing his hand in the lake, she's wearing at least three narrower stacked rings on her left ring finger, one of which has a circular dangle. jfh 29Jan2020

+Good catch! Did Gertrude's outfit also change? Otto Gervaert, 2/11/21
Get a load of Della's New Giant Caterpillar Eyebrows! I can say no more. Submitted by catyron, May 28th, 2018
+ Along with her somewhat flattened, shortened and parted hairstyle, Della appears more severe than usual. Fortunately, both hairstyle and eyebrows are returned to her softer style as the episode continues. 29Jan2020

When Perry, Hamilton, and Andy catch Arthur breaking into the crate, they keep referring to a briefcase when what they actually find is a paper folder. Arthur’s reaction to the contents of that folder reminded me of Casper Gutman’s reaction to the bogus “Maltese Falcon”. In the closing scene, Paul offers a nifty alternate title : ‘TCOT Sexy Solicitor’. DOD 01/29/20

Black Box Theatre Alert The scene by the lake with Paul arguing with Leslie Ross is unintentionally amusing. Very stagey and the (usually fantastic) dialogue is terrible. St. James 323, 9/13/21.
+ Agreed. This is the first - only??- time that I can recall Paul jumping on the Sanctimony Express (Della, too was seldom a passenger, tho she hopped on board in the final season.) One of the attributes, and I think for many a highlight, of the show was the relatively hard-boiled and cynical attitudes of the characters...a holdover from the Film Noir era, if you will. But as the conscious-raised 60's wore on, dreary morality lectures crept in. Notcom 072623.

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

Great line by Lt. Anderson after Perry and Paul offer him a cup of coffee in the cabin. Anderson doesn't touch it. He stands and before leaving, says, "Thanks for the coffee. It hit the spot." Otto Gervaert, 2/11/21.

+ I noticed that too! Hilarious. St. James 323, 9/13/21.

Richard Anderson plays the title accountant, Mason’s (of course innocent) client Edward Lewis. Just two episodes ago, in #193 “TCOT Badgered Brother,” the name Edward Lewis was used for the security guard, played by L. Q. Jones, who was an accomplice (though perhaps unwitting) to the murderer. Submitted by FredK, 16 Nov 2010.
+ And continuing our Forms-of-the name-Ed-Lewis thread, back in episode 148 TCOT Angry Astronaut the more familiar sounding "Eddie Lewis" was played by Steve Brodie. Something about the name must have appealed to the Mason team. Submitted by FredK 12December12.
+ and, while giving testimony, Leslie Ross also refers to Ed Lewis as "Eddie Lewis". jfh 29Dec2023

Counselor's Usual Tactics: The scene in Judge Penner’s chambers, wherein Perry tricks Burger into requesting a 3-day continuance, is classic. St. James 323, 9/13/21.
+ I was surprised Burger didn't have his usual exasperation when he realized PM tricked him into delaying the hearing. Regardless, great episode. Rich P 10/25/21

Mason & Burger, Law Firm: A unique episode in that Perry and Burger collaborate on solving the crime together, even during the courtroom portion.

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