Show151
Harry von Zell makes his first of two appearances here on Perry playing Phil Scharf. Harry von Zell was a prolific old time radio announcer, most notably for George Burns, following him to television. Harry von Zell will forever be remembered as the announcer who introduced the 31st President of the United States as Hoobert Heever. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 12 August 2009.
+ According to snopes.com, the slip-up occurred at the end of a narrative about Hoover in honor of the anniversary of his birth. The apocryphal story of him mis-introducing the President during his inauguration comes from a re-enactment on a blooper record. Submitted by gracenote, 2/2/2011.
The following commercials were shown during this episode’s initial broadcast: Brought to you By (BTYB): Gleem Toothpaste commercial with Ken Wetherwax (Pugsly from the Addams Family); Prell Concentrate Shampoo; Loving Care hair color; Tarryton Cigarettes; Philips Milk of Magnesia; [Bayer card in credits] BTYB: Bayer and Philips Milk of Magnesia; CBS TV tag. Submitted by billp, 25 October 2009
Location: About 30 minutes in, Perry and Paul visit Amos Martin. I think the rock formation when they drive up is of Upper Iverson Ranch. Since there was a similar scene in the previous episode (#150) I am going to speculate that they filmed both at the same time to save money. If not they should have. Ha! Upper Iverson was used numerous times by Perry Mason as well as shows like Roy Rogers and many westerns. However, Perry’s confrontation with Amos Martin seems to be shot in the studio and intercut with location footage. Other than this quick shot of the jeep pulling up and a scene in the theater alley, every other scene in this episode was shot inside. Submitted by Eric Cooper, 5 May 2010.
+ Eric's observation is supported by there being a different jeep in the studio-filmed "Confrontation Shot" than the jeep in the on-location "Approach Shot" which preceded it. See Car (2) below. Added by Gary Woloski, 4/09/13.
Submitted by Eric Cooper, 5 May 2010.
+ I love the magnificent Iverson Movie Ranch. How pathetic, then, that the director cut to the set-bound studio shot with a painted rock backdrop. Cheap, unconvincing, and unaesthetic. Submitted by catyron, April 2, 2018.
++ ... but much easier to control lighting, sound, etc. for filming. OLEF641 2/23/21
Uncredited Actors: This is one of Don Anderson’s potentially more significant appearances. He portrays Henry Whalen, Amos Martin’s driver and pilot. As Mason and Drake attempt to interview Martin, Anderson pulls a rifle from the Jeep he’s driving and does some low-key intimidation of the unwelcome visitors. Later, we discover that Whalen was at the scene of the murder and is a key member of a smuggling ring. Improbably, he does not appear at the trial where his testimony would have been vital. Perhaps we’re supposed to presume that he’s in hiding. Despite his importance, Anderson has no lines. Submitted by FredK, 25 Oct. 2010.
Perry whispers to Della that Claire Adams is “not Katharine Cornell.” Quite likely, as Miss Cornell (1893-1974) of Buffalo, NY, was once called “The First Lady of American Theater.” More information at her website. Submitted by gracenote, 1/5/2011.
Uncredited Actors: This seems to be the episode for unacknowledged players. Besides Don Anderson (see above), we find a couple of others. During the Romeo & Juliet performance, Bess Flowers sits in front of unentertained Perry and Della. And Sgt. Brice (Lee Miller) shows up at the crime scene and dutifully questions potential witnesses in the background. Submitted by gracenote, 1/5/2011.
Although credited, Lt. Tragg (Ray Collins) does not appear, leaving the younger Lt. Anderson (Wesley Lau) to handle matters. Submitted by gracenote, 1/5/2011.
Reunited in this episode are Jeff Morrow and Rex Reason, who appeared in the 1955 sci-fi classic This Island Earth. Submitted by Kenmore, 1/18/2011.
+They also appeared together in the 1956 sci-fi not-so-classic "The Creature Walks Among Us." Submitted by BobH, 30 January 2017.
CARS. The sinister plate number KYL 907 re-appears in this episode!
- (1) Perry' s black 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 Sunliner, top down, Licence Number XCF 015. Perry drives out to the NIDO ALTO Ranch with Paul.
- (2) 1955 Willys Jeep CJ-5 or later year, med color, no top, Lic No KYL 907, Amos Martin with driver Whelan. Creepy KYL 907 previously appeared in episodes 9, 41, 97 & 107.
Two different jeeps were used to represent Car (2):
- In the jeep's approach (shot on location) the windshield frame is the same color as the body and the jeep has no front attachments.
- As Amos Martin gets out of the jeep to confront Perry & Paul (shot in studio), the jeep's windshield frame is black gloss and there is an A-frame towing attachment folded up on the jeep's front. Tipped-off by Eric Cooper's "Location" entry above.
"CJ" stood for "Civilian Jeep" derived from military Jeep M38A1. Added by Gary Woloski, 4/09/13.
+ KYL 907 also appeared in ep37 TCOT Black-Eyed Blonde. H. Mason 12/10/14
This is the first of two PM writing credits for True Boardman, who would later have writing duties on three episodes of Ironside...MikeM. 10/28/2016
This is the third of four PM appearances for Patricia Huston, who had a recurring role as Hilda Brunschwager on "L.A.Law"...MikeM. 2/3/2017
This is the only PM appearance for Rex Reason, who was born into an American family visiting Germany in 1928. Rex Reason passed in Walnut CA in 2015 at the age of 86...MikeM. 2/3/2017
+ Rhoades Reason, the younger brother of Rex, was also in a single Perry episode, The Case Of The Bogus Buccaneer. Rhoades died in 2014, aged 84. jfh 15Nov2018.
++ Curiously, Antoinette Bower - Reason's character's SO-in-waiting - was also born in Germany. And speaking of things German, as in Doppelganger, perhaps Ray Collins (see bottom) wasn't the only one making an out-of-body appearance: methinks Reason bears a marked resemblance to PM alum Don Durant; this would bring our unofficial tally of pairings to seven (sizable, but not quite enough for a Congressional seat...yet) Notcom, 042721.
Syndicated Cuts from FETV:
08:22 - 10:12 .. 1:50 Claire Adams performs Juliet in rehearsal
31:11 - 31:56 .. 0:45 Margit Bruner testifies
36:22 - 36:53 .. 0:31 Burger questions Kelvin MacRae during hearing
39:48 - 41:00 .. 1:12 Perry talks with Steve Brock outside theater before re-enactment
Total ............... 4:18
Submitted by DexterLakeClub, 02/24/22.