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#24: The Case of the
Deadly Double
Original Airdate: 03/01/58
Summary Edit
From The Perry Mason TV Show Book
Actress Constance Ford plays a dual role of sorts as a troubled woman living a double life. Helen Reed, a mild-mannered housewife by day, turns into Joyce Martel, a roaring harlot by night. Perry needs Joyce Martel's testimony to clear her brother of a murder rap. Helen Reed informs Perry that she can only recall her other half, Joyce, when her psychiatrist puts her under hypnosis.
A dramatic courtroom drama ensues, with Helen Reed turning into her double on the witness stand.
+ It seems to me that the characterization of Joyce Martel as "a roaring harlot by night" is not accurate; she definitely enjoys her nightlife but nothing in the episode would substantiate "harlot", much less a "roaring" one.
Credits Edit
Opening
Starring Raymond Burr
in The Case of The Deadly Double
Based upon characters created by Erle Stanley Gardner
Barbara Hale, William Hopper, William Talman, Ray Collins
Trailing
Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
Written by Sam Neuman
Ben Brady | Producer
Produced by CBS Television in association with Paisano Productions
Gail Patrick Jackson | Executive Producer
Sam White | Associate Producer
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
Cast
Constance Ford as Helen Reed
Denver Pyle as Robert Crane
Carole Mathews as Cora Dunbar
Paul Langton as Harry Vance
Murray Hamilton as Johnny Hale
Abraham Sofaer as Dr. Maitland
Louise Truax as Sarah
Carleton G. Young as David Reed
Pierre Watkin as Judge
Frank Jenks as Cab Driver
Clark Howat as Sergeant Grant
Carlyle Mitchell as Dr. Desmond
Jack Gargan as Court Clerk
George E. Stone as George
Peter Opp as Johnson
Josef Elman as Tony
Kellogg Junge, Jr. as Tommy Reed
Uncredited Actors
Don Anderson as Courtroom Spectator
Kenner G. Kemp as
Nightclub Patron at Bar (from IMDb)
Fred Kelsey as
Courtroom Spectator (from IMDb)
Crew
Gene Wang | Story Editor
Production Supervisor … J. Paul Popkin
Director of Photography … Frank Redman, A.S.C.
Art Direction … Lyle Wheeler, Lewis Creber
Assistant Director … Wilbur F. McGaugh
Editorial Supervisor … Art Seid, A.C.E.
Film Editor … Richard W. Farrell
Makeup … Mel Berns
Hair Stylist … Annabell
Wardrobe Supervision … Dick James
Set Decorations … Walter M. Scott, Charles Q. Vassar
Properties … Ray Thompson
Production Sound Mixer … Robert O’Brien
Script Supervisor … Cosmo Genovese
This has been a CBS Television Network Production
Filmed in Hollywood by TCF Television Productions, Inc.
production number 027
Trivia Edit
CARS: 1957 Cadillac convertible, black, white top up (Mason), 1957 Chevrolet 150 4dr sedan, V8, black (Police). From The Cars by Greg Cockerill.
Uncredited Actors: Don Anderson is one of the spectators in the courtroom. He’s seated just behind the defense table and can be seen over Raymond Burr’s shoulder in some reaction shots. Submitted by FredK 7 October 2010.
Sightings: Pencil Mustache Man is in Johnny's Bar when we first see Joyce. We see him again in court on Perry's side along with Distinguished Lady #4, Distinguished Lady #2 and Distinguished Gentleman #1. Submitted by BigBill767, Nov 12,2016.
Character Names: Johnny Hale’s middle name is Davis. Submitted by gracenote, 9/2/2011.
+ Speaking of Murray Hamilton as Johnny Hale, I knew I had seen him in something else...I think he may be best known as the egotistical mayor Larry Vaughn in Jaws (and Jaws 2). Submitted by mesave31, 04/22/15.
++ "The Case of the Repeated Surname": MH played Emory HALE in "The FBI: Ninth Man" episode ['68: IMDb]. Mike Bedard 8.11.16
+++ Hamilton was a murder trial witness in Otto Preminger's Anatomy of a Murder (which all PM fans should see), as well as Mr. Robinson in The Graduate. He was also in John Frankenheimer's Seconds and The Hustler. He was a fine actor, known for playing unpleasant characters. Submitted by Vladimir Estragon 9/27/2020.
++++ Hamilton was also known for his appearance in an early (second aired) Twilight Zone episode (opposite Ed Wynn) as Mr. Death. He also was the first actor to play Blanche's father on The Golden Girls. Wiseguy70005, 3/18/24.
Syndicated cuts: Lt. Tragg and Sgt. Grant arriving at the Crest Apartments, their conversation and Tragg noticing Mason's car; Tommy saying prayers and Sarah taking him to bed; Mason going to Hale's office, knocking and finding Hale alone, showing him the half photo and their conversation and Perry leaving [This edit makes it seem like Perry arrives at the club, fiddles with a light fixture and just barges in without knocking and making it seem strange that Hale does not comment on Mason's entering without knocking or why he is there.]; desk clerk Johnson's testimony [Johnson leaving the stand can still be seen in the edited episodes] and Burger resting his case;
Additional Hallmark cuts: scene of "Joyce" in Hale's office after Hale brings her there; Joyce's description to Crane about nightmares being senseless and having no beginning or end; Mason asking Cora Dunbar about Reed's portrait; Crane recounting Helen's nightmare 25 years ago concerning a bread knife; Perry's question of Hale concerning custody rights, Burger's objection and the judge telling Hale to ignore the question; Burger stipulating to Dr. Maitland's qualifications; reaction shots from witnesses when Mason asks Helen to try an experiment; Helen telling Dr. Maitland how frightening and difficult it is to be accused of things you didn't do and Dr. Maitland saying she's coming along splendidly. Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 7/19/12.
+ I stopped watching the syndication ones on MeTV given they are chopped up so much. Once you see the full uncut, you real how much "ambiance" that is being left out. Submitted by Perry Baby 12/5/14.
++ I just finished carefully watching this episode on MeTV on 29-30 October, 2020. All but one of the scenes listed as Hallmark cuts were in place, and two of the listed MeTV cuts were back in place as well: the prayers and the business with Mason and Hale before Perry barges back in and finds Joyce in the office. It seems that MeTV may be butchering the episodes a little less and may be OK watching. BTW: the description of a Hallmark cut which ends with the judge telling Hale to ignore the question has the lawyers reversed - Burger questions and Mason objects. :-) OLEF641 10/30/2020
+++ Just to enlarge on my comment above: at some point in late 2021, MeTV added 7 minutes to their broadcast slot for PM, for a total of one hour seven miniutes, allowing them to add back most, if not all, of the syndication cuts noted for each episode in this wiki. OLEF641 12/18/21
++++ Hate to be obvious here but the "Additional" Hallmark edits were on the Hallmark channel not MeTV. That's what made them "additional" cuts. My apologies for the inaccuracies in some edit descriptions but at the time I did not have the DVDs so I couldn't tell exactly what was cut. I believe I was reading some detailed summaries of the unedited episodes (don't remember where) and compared that with what I saw on MeTV and Hallmark. And just to clarify things, I believe the extended time slot for the MeTV Perry Mason airings is only the nighttime broadcast. The daytime broadcast is still just 60 minutes with the more extensive edits. Wiseguy70005, 3/18/24.
Burger correctly identifies the murder weapon as a "Colt .45"; more specifically it is a Colt Pocket Positive,made until about 1940. Submitted by SteveP
+ You must mean incorrectly on the .45 part as the Colt Pocket Positive is a .32 caliber. Submitted by HamBurger, 9/9/2017.
++ Actually, at 31:02, Burger CORRECTLY identifies the gun as a Colt.32, when he shows it in court and says, "This is the gun that killed [Spoiler Name]. It's a .32 Colt revolver." Submitted by catyron, November 26, 2020.
It's for you, Mr. Mason: It's always a special moment when someone tracks down Perry in the field. This time he's cooling his heels at Reed Industries when Della finds him. Submitted by francis, 6/09/14.
Denver Pyle makes the first of six appearances on Perry Mason including the final episode: TCO the Final Fade Out. Submitted by Perry Baby 12/5/14
During Perry's first meeting in his office with Helen Reed and Robert Crane, there is a set of law books on the shelf behind Perry, the book nearest Perry (seen over his right shoulder) is turned upside down. An upside down book is shown again in the epilogue scene in episode 179, TCOT Skeleton's Closet. jfh 11May2017.
Pierre Watkin was 1 of 5 actors who Judged 3 Perrys; his 344 movie appearances included "Meet John Doe" & "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" [IMDb]. Mike Bedard 4.22.15
This is the first of six PM episodes for writer Sam Neuman....MikeM. 8/10/2016
This is the first of seven PM episodes for British-born film and television director Andrew V. McLaglen...MikeM. 8/10/2016
This is the first of two PM appearances for Illinois-born Carole Mathews who, according to IMDb, had an uncredited movie role as a dancer in 1935 when she was fifteen. Carole Mathews passed in Murrieta CA in 2014 at the age of 94...MikeM. 5/23/2018
The first of three appearances for Abraham Sofaer. Born in Rangoon, Burma, Sofaer was most noted for his deep, melodious voice. A prolific character actor, Sofaer may be best remembered by television audiences for playing the leader of the Kyban in the Outer Limits classic, Demon with a Glass Hand. However, his most memorable movie performance may have been as the heavenly judge in A Matter of Life and Death. Submitted by Kenmore 09/21/2020.
Gavel Tally - After Perry finishes his cross-examination of Mr. Vance, Vance bursts out with an exclamation and the judge gavels him to silence. OLEF641 12/18/21
Another example of a fictional character with the same name as a real-life personality (Bob Crane). As the World Turns had a regular character named Dick Martin, Charlie's Angels had Kelly Garrett (a real-life actress/singer) and All in the Family/Archie Bunker's Place had Stephanie Mills (another real-life singer).
Of course, in some cases the name was used before the personality was well-known (although both Garrett and Mills were well-known before those series started). In addition, the character Bob Crane played on Hogan's Heroes was actually named for actor Robert Hogan who was originally selected to play the part but the network wanted a better-known actor. Wiseguy70005, 3/18/24.
This is the first of 49(!) appearances for George E. Stone, who played Earl Williams, the convicted man in The Front Page alongside Adolphe Menjou and Pat o'Brien in 1931. jfh 26Mar2024
Comments Edit
This is one of my least favorite episodes. Joyce Martel is loud, obnoxious, brassy, and thoroughly unlikeable. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 12 July 2008.
I also don’t care for this episode. The Joyce Martel character was too over-the-top. But, I suppose that’s what the script called for. Actually, something like what Constance Ford (who played Reed/Martel) did in “Potted Planter” would have worked. It’s a shame, too, because Abraham Sofaer is such a joy to hear. Submitted by billp, 1/18/2009.
+ Among his 139 IMDb credits, Burma-born Abraham appeared in 3 Perrys, 2 Time Tunnels, & 2 Star Trek VOICE roles (Spectre of the Gun, Charlie X). Mike Bedard 4.21.15
++ He was seen in Star Trek's "Charlie X." Wiseguy70005, 3/18/24.
A small plot inconsistency: At one point mid-episode, Dr. Maitlan tells Perry that Helen Reed has “only recently” learned of Joyce Martel. But in the epilogue, Della says that Helen didn‘t know of Joyce at all! Submitted by Ed Zoerner, 5/18/2009.
+ But I was *just* watching the scene on MeTV where her brother tells Perry and Tragg (in Perry's office) that Joyce Martel was her sister's make believe/made up character as they were growing up, but I guess the point was that she did not know what Joyce actually did. She described what she experienced was like a "dream"/not real to her. Submitted by mesave31, 04/22/15.
Another inconsistency?: At about 30:20 on the 2006 Region 1 Paramount DVD, Dr. Maitland tells Paul that "Helen Reed doesn't smoke or drink. Joyce does both to excess." Given that both personalities are in the same physical body, why hasn't Joyce developed at least a craving for nicotine? (I wonder if the tobacco and alcohol companies are suppressing this method of abstinence.) Submitted by (lowercase, with a comma and period) masonite, 07/22/13.
+ Helen has an extreme allergy to fur, which is a physical reaction which has not transferred to Joyce, so it's possible that Joyce's nicotine habit has not transferred to Helen. jfh 04Jun2019
++ I don't have a problem with the nicotine/alcohol usage, but I do with the fur allergy, in that allergies are physical responses. If one personality doesn't drink or smoke, how would they know that is what they are craving? Having [assumedly] never smoked, would Helen one day feel a bit strange and think "Wow, I am really craving a cigarette?" —yelocab 15NOV19
+++ There are actually people out there who do not become addicted to cigarettes. The medical industry calls them "chippers"; My mom's best friend was one, so I know they're real. If others around her were smoking, like at a party, she'd light up too, but never any other time. It's a bit of a stretch, but maybe Joyce/Helen was one of these? OLEF641 10/30/2020
Unlike previous commenters, this is one of my favorite PM episodes! I think Constance Towers does a great job portraying both women, and the courtroom transformation is well-done. I definitely would have liked free-wheeling Joyce more than prissy Helen. Actually, lowercase-masonite, I have less problem with the 2 personalities having different craving for nicotine and alcohol than with the fur allergy--allergies are a physical thing, a reaction of the body to what it mistakenly thinks is an invader, I (allergic to horses) don't think any mindset could override that reaction. submitted by DyNama, 4/7/2014.
+ I have a problem with the fur allergy as well: I could see being allergic to a specific fur, but just "fur" in general seems implausible. The online literature on this is somewhat lacking, but what there is suggests that such is often an allergy to dander, proteins or saliva on the fur rather than the fur itself - which would presumably exist only on a living animal, not a pelt - so all of this IMHO suggests the allergy is psychosomatic...a manifestation of her repressed nature. Diagnosed (without a license) by Notcom, 083117.
++ Just watching The Three Faces Of Eve and, similar to the Joyce/Helen character, one of Eve's personalities (Eve Black) is allergic to nylon while the other personality (Eve White) is not. [see comments by JohnK below] 01Oct2019
I'm split over this episode -- the Joyce character is certainly enthusiastic, but not completely implausible (she reminded me of my second wife after she had had a few drinks). But I thought the courtroom scenes were pretty good, especially at the moment when she flips from Helen to Joyce. JohnK, 2 December 2015
+ Seeing this one again six years after my comment from 2015, it occurs to me that my second ex-wife also had a thing for mink coats (she had two as I recall). That was years ago, but still sometimes embarrassing when living in a liberal stronghold like Manhattan. JohnK, July 1 2021.
I think this is the first episode that is not taken straight from an E.S. Gardner story. It seems they wanted to ride the coattails of Three Faces of Eve, which was released a year earlier. JohnK, 2 December 2015
+ Originally all three episodes of the first season not based on an ESG story were indeed based on novels:
...The Deadly Double on the novel The Borrowed Brunette (see note below)
...The Desperate Daughter on The Glamorous Ghost
...The Prodigal Parent on The Dubious Bridegroom
The adaptations went so far from the source that it was decided not to credit the novels. All three novels were adapted later under their original titles. Other adaptations, such as The Empty Tin, also differed greatly from the source novel but it still featured an empty tin, so the title and the ESG credit were kept. (Note there was a character in The Borrowed Brunette novel named Helen Reedley.) Wiseguy70005, 3/18/24.
Just as this episode was likely inspired by “Three Faces of Eve”, I suspect “TCOT Lonely Heiress” was inspired by “A Kiss Before Dying”, and “TCOT Silent Six” was inspired by the infamous, and infamously misunderstood Kitty Genovese murder. Can anyone come up with other episodes inspired by contemporary books, movies, or incidents? DOD 06/17/20
In the opening scene, it is obvious that secretary is just mindlessly tapping at the typewriter keys, and the sound of the keys does not match her finger action. DOD 06/17/20
Why haven't we heard from DellaFan on this epilogue? Della does a wonderful model's spin at the end and is definitely purring! Wow! Submitted by DyNama, 4/7/2014.
+ Great minds think alike, DyNama! She looks terrific! DellaFan, 4/8/2014.
++ I was referring to a comment DyNama had made--now (for some reason) gone--about how foxy Della looked at the end of the episode wearing the fur. DellaFan, 4-22-2015.
+++ Don't know why it went missing! Don't know why my signature links to a non-existent profile either. DyNama 9/30/2015
In the epilogue, Perry instructs Paul to return the fur to Robert Crane. Paul should return the fur to its rightful owner, Helen Reed. jfh 04Jun2019
+My guess is that Helen is in a sanitarium or otherwise under intense treatment with her brother as guardian or helper. Or maybe he looks better in mink than she does? Fred Flintstone 12/16/2020
++ Wasn't she still allergic to the fur and therefore didn't want it? Wiseguy70005, 3/18/24
"Homicide won't need a Joseph to Interpret this Dream," Perry tells Paul: Genesis tells the dream insights that led Joseph to become Pharaoh's Vizier. Mike Bedard 4.22.15
Wrong Street: When questioning John Hale, Mr. Burger asked if he had visited Helen (Joyce) at her apartment on Waverly Place. Joyce lived at the Crest Apartments at 622 S. Barry. Submitted by H. Mason 4/23/15
"Alternate" a 2007 episode of Law and Order - Special Victims Unit dealt with similar topics. They called it "Dissociative Identity Disorder". Submitted by H. Mason 4/23/15
+As with most psychiatric disorders, the name has changed over the years, from Schizophrenia to Multiple Personality Disorder to Dissociative Identity Disorder. It depends on what edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders you are reading. Submitted by Vladimir Estragon 9/27/2020.
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