Show181
Uncredited Actors: Don Anderson has a definite three-bagger (three different appearances as an extra) in this episode. First he’s seen very briefly in the scene in Judge Redmond’s courtroom as a member of the legal team that has just defeated Perry. In the second he’s one of two uniformed police or fire ambulance attendants who get the okay from Lt. Anderson and Dr. Hoxie to remove Martin Weston’s body from the murder scene. And third, he appears as a spectator in the second row behind the defense table during the trial. Submitted by FredK, 9 October 2010.
Sightings: The court reporter today is Distinguished Gentleman #1, with glasses. Strangely, however, he reappears in the courtroom gallery (in a cutaway to Marian) while Dr. Hoxie testifies! Submitted by gracenote, 2/10/2011.
+ This uncredited actor is Rudolph Salinger, who played many small parts in the series, in addition to his frequent appearances as a courtroom spectator.
John D. Faure served regularly as film editor in this series, in over 50 episodes. According to IMDb, he died on July 7, 1963. Therefore, this is the last episode edited by Faure to air before his death. Submitted by gracenote, 2/2/2011.
Jackie Coogan may be the only PM regular to have a law named after him. The highest paid child actor of the silent era, he earned an estimated $4,000,000 by age 18, virtually all of which was spent - legally - by his mother and stepfather, leaving him about broke. The notoriety resulted in a law requiring a portion of a child’s earnings to be put in trust. His first wife was a teenage Betty Grable. DOD 01/22/21
Larry Thor, the news commentator in this episode, was years earlier a radio announcer for CBS. Submitted by gracenote, 2/10/2011.
+ He was also a Canadian, like Raymond Burr. It was a treat to me to hear his voice on this episode. Here'a a Wikipedia article with much more background than can currently be found at IMDb -- about his career as a radio announcer, actor, screenwriter, composer, lyricist, singer, and professor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Thor
Star Trek Alert: Lee Bergere (James Wall) played President Lincoln (or a simulacrum thereof) in Star Trek: The Original Series third season episode "The Savage Curtain," which involves rocklike aliens who recreate historical figures from the subconscious of the Enterprise crew to fight it out in an attempt to understand the earthlings' concepts of good and evil. Lincoln was Kirk's role model. Spock's hero was Surak, played by Barry Atwater, who also appeared in Perry Mason (in six episodes), as also did a young Leonard Nimoy, of course (Episode 166). But it doesn't stop there. The actor who played Colonel Green (a war criminal from the Martian Colonies), Phillip Pine, appeared in Perry Episode 193) as a criminal who gets paroled from prison and then winds up arrested for murder. Janos Prohaska, who played Yarnok, the rock alien, also played the Gorilla in the dubious Perry episode, "The Case of the Grinning Gorilla" (Pohaska specialized in playing animals, aliens, and monsters). Submitted by MyFavoritePolarBear, 11/15/22.
Character Names: Credits omit the Autopsy Surgeon’s name, Dr. Hoxie. (And this is one of the few times we see him outside the courtroom, as he examines the body at the crime scene.) Submitted by gracenote, 2/10/2011.
Lt. Arthur Tragg (Ray Collins) appears in the credits only. Submitted by gracenote, 2/10/11.
This Episode has No Outdoor Scenes and NO CARS. Added by Gary Woloski, 10/18/13.
David White (Victor Kendall) is most well-known as Larry Tate, Darrin’s boss (both Darrins) in Bewitched. Submitted by cgraul, 9/22/2011.
+ David - a Marine during WWII - played the CIA Director in "Columbo: Identity Crisis" ('75) [IMDb]. Mike Bedard 2.20.15.
Familiar TV face Vaughn Taylor appeared in eight PM episodes (including the very first one aired), but this is the only time he was the victim. Submitted by cgraul 9/22/2011.
+ Taylor's character, Bishop Mallory, was also bumped off as a second victim in TCOT Stuttering Bishop, while the trial of the first victim was already underway. Added by alan_sings 11/29/2014.
A fifth L.A. newspaper is in this story. There are two front page headlines shown in the Los Angeles Clarion. The other four papers are the L.A. Chronicle (of course), The L.A. Star News seen in episodes 29 and 41, the L.A. Bulletin mentioned - never shown - in episode 139 and the Evening Star in 156 - never shown- a reporter is part of the story. Submitted by H. Mason 9/26/14
Recycled Newspaper: When Mr. Torrey entered Judge Redmond's office the newspaper he threw on the desk was a copy of the Los Angeles Chronicle with the headline: WHO IS TRUDY'S FATHER?. It first appeared in episode 95 TCOT Flighty Father. A close-up of a newspaper, called the Los Angeles Clarion, showed the headline: REDMOND AND KENDALL NOMINATED FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. Submitted by H. Mason 2/12/15
Perry Loses A Case: All of Mr. Mason's clients were innocent of murder, but this story opened with Perry losing some kind of case (also mentioned above). Submitted by H. Mason 2/12/15
Marshall Houts, with a story co-credit, was an attorney, judge, and prolific writer. His Wikipedia page says he served in the FBI, OSS, and CIA...MikeM. 12/9/2016
+ Some more information on Marshall Houts
- In the book series, ESG dedicates TCOT Shapely Shadow to him
- As pointed out by MikeM, perennial favorite judge actor John Launer played a role on the "other" ESG television series, "The Court of Last Resort". The role he played is Marshall Houts.
Submitted by lontjr 1/19/2021
This is the fourth of five PM appearances for Rita Lynn, who was married to actor Frank Maxwell. Frank Maxwell made three PM appearances...MikeM. 3/17/2017
This is the only PM appearance for Florida Friebus, who said she was named after her mother's favorite aunt...MikeM. 4/6/2018
MeTV is having Perry MAYson week. Tonight they are showing this episode, which first aired exactly 55 years ago on 16 May 1963...MikeM. 5/16/2018
In the opening scene, Judge Redmond and Perry are discussing the case he lost and they mention two older cases, Jones v Hart (1698) and Priestly v Fowler (1837). Both are actual cases from English tort law and dealt with an employer not being liable for injuries sustained by one employee when caused by another employee in the course of their employment. Submitted by Steve Fox 11/14/2019
Seeming script error: Despite Perry losing a case before Judge Redmond in the opening scene, Judge Redmond later is impressed by Perry and says he looks forward to seeing him in action in a courtroom. Submitted by Fred Flintstone 10/24/2020
+ The case at the beginning of the episode is an appeal, which I believe only involves the lawyers from both sides arguing before a judge; the losing side trying to get the judge to send the case back to the lower court so it can be tried again with (hopefully) different results, the winners arguing that the decision should stand. I think what Judge Redmond looks forward to is seeing Perry in a full trial, with witnesses, etc. Judge Redmond, be careful what you wish for! OLEF641 6/8/21
Syndicated Cuts from FETV:
01:23 - 01:56.. 0:23 In the courtroom, Judge Redmond denies Perry’s appeal of case
05:31 - 06:05 .. 0:34 In the subcommittee hearing, James Wall wishes to question Martin Westin about marine engines
15:43 - 16:22 .. 0:39 Judge Redmond walks into a dark, empty courtroom and contemplates his situation
18:57 - 21:14 .. 2:17 Judge Redmond visits a drunk Martin West at his apartment … and gets subpoenaed by James Wall
Total ............... 3:53
Submitted by DexterLakeClub, 03/04/22.
This case, involving a judge as a defendant, has scenes in his courtroom that do not actually involve a hearing or trial.
This episode could also qualify as having three different courts, since the episode opens in court (where, by the way, Perry has the appeal go against him in what appears to be a civil case), there is a Senate Sub-Committee hearing integral to the storyline, and, of course, the trial at the end. OLEF641 9/21/22
Gavel and Other Statistics For Season Six:
Gavel: not used in any episodes in court, however, in TCOT Lurid Letter, the judge did use one during the Board of Education meeting about 3/4 of the way through the episode.
Gavel on judge's bench: 1 episode, the first since at least some time during Season 3.
Pencil Tapping: 4 episodes.
Two different courts: 5 episodes, plus 2 episodes featuring a Senate Sub-Committee.
Police Board of Rights hearing: 1 episode (#5), though no actual proceedings were shown.
OLEF641 9/21/22