Show30
CARS: 1955 Chevrolet BelAir 4dr sedan, 2-tone: dark color & white; 1958 Buick Caballero Estate Wagon 4-Door, white; 1958 Cadillac convertible, black, white top up (Mason). From The Cars by Greg Cockerill.
Anomaly: Berry Kroeger, listed as Eugene Jarech in the credits, is identified as Arthur Jarech in a building directory and by other characters. Submitted by daveb, 12/20/2007.
Location: The same setup shot is used for the “Dr. Barnes Seaside Hospital” as in #54, TCOT Foot-Loose Doll. See here. Submitted by Charles Richmond, 6/2/2004.
+ Dr. Barnes Seaside Hospital is currently the Malibu residence of singer Cher. It has been on and off the market in 2008 for $41 million. Posted by Eric Cooper, 17 November 2009. Some pictures here.
+ Funny in that Ruta Lee is in both episodes at “Dr. Barnes Seaside Hospital” this one and #54, TCOT Foot-Loose Doll. Submitted by HamBurger, 5/31/2021
Mary K. Davis (played by Marian Seldes) was a newspaper columnist and socialite. In real life, Marian Seldes was the daughter of journalist/author/editor Gilbert Seldes and niece of journalist George Seldes. Submitted by Charles Richmond, 10/20/2008.
Anomaly: The doctor in this episode is credited as Dr. George Barnes (played by Arthur Shields). Indeed, in the first part of the episode, Perry refers to him as Dr. George Barnes when talking with Paul. But during the beginning of the first courtroom scene, Mr. Burger refers to him as Dr. Philip Barnes. Submitted by Charles Richmond, 11/20/2008.
+ Dublin-born Arthur has 97 IMDb credits, including 9 episodes of "The Hardy Boys" & "The Quiet Man," one of my Father's favorite films. Mike Bedard 4.30.15
Uncredited Actor: Don Anderson makes his 17th appearance in the first season as a courtroom spectator. Submitted by FredK, 25 Oct 2010.
+ When someone in the gallery stands to be identified, we clearly see former boxer Tom Kennedy in the front row, along with some other familiar faces (see Sightings, below). Submitted by gracenote, 9/2/2011.
Goof: At 31:41, Dr. Barnes places the envelope in the fire; at 31:42, it begins to kindle; at 31:43, we see Mason getting a cup of water in the hall. At 31:56, thirteen seconds later, Mason returns to the office, and the envelope is still just beginning to kindle. Dr. Barnes says “I’m afraid you're a little late” (which isn’t quite true), but at 32:02, just six seconds later, the envelope is burned beyond all recognition. Submitted by 10yearoldfan, 7 August 2011.
Goof redux : during her screaming courtroom confession, Ms Cooper says, "She was going to print that story about Bob", but since she's speaking directly to Bob, the word "you" was overdubbed in place of the name. jfh 01Jul2022
Goof part three : During the wrap-up in Perry's office, Perry incorrectly uses the past tense "hung" when he meant "hanged". ibid.
Goof part four : At one point Raymond Burr refers to Susan as "Suzanne." Wiseguy70005, 4/30/24.
Why didn't Dr. Barnes open the envelope and make sure it contained the correct book before tossing it into the fire? Otto Gervaert, 7/9/21.
Sightings: Among the courtroom spectators are Distinguished Gentleman #1, Distinguished Gentleman #2, and Distinguished Lady #4—all on the prosecutor’s side. When someone in the gallery stands up for identification, Little Old Lady #2 is in front of him (as is DG #2). Over on Perry’s side sits Little Old Lady #1. What we’d like to know is, who are they? Submitted by gracenote, 9/2/2011.
+ We see the Pencil Mustache Man at the Mud Bar (10:30 DVD). Submitted by BigBill767, Nov 11, 2016
Syndicated cuts: Scene with Connie, Susan, and Ralph; Jarech making a date with Mary K for cocktails; Jarech and Mary K having cocktails; Mary K messing up the envelope, asking the attendant for another and tearing and throwing away the first; Leona at Mary K's apartment and phoning Mason.
Additional Hallmark cuts: Part of Leona and Mary K's conversation that the doctor can't give Mary a baby, Mary says she can give the child everything, who her husband is, that her husband wants a divorce but is not because he thinks Mary K is carrying his child, Leona says she's sorry, Mary K doesn't want sympathy but for the doctor to make the trade; Mary K asking an attendant for pen, ink, stamp and an envelope and looking at Jarech from the ladies' room; part of Leona Walsh's meeting with Perry concerning requirements of adoption agencies, whether old people are less fit to raise children, that she knows many families who would give a child love and affection and Mason asking if Barnes was remedying the situation singlehandedly; Tragg telling Burger that Barnes has not seen Walsh and her fingerprints are in Mary K's apartment; part of Della waiting for the mailman checking her watch twice; long (1:35) scene of Burger calling Della to the stand and the conversation with the judge if it's permissible; the segue between Tragg leaving Mason's office with the dictating machine and entering the court with same is shortened on both scenes. Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 7/25/12.
Changing Credits: The dot on the 'i' in Ray Collins' name becomes a square in this episode finally matching the square dots in the 'William' names (Hopper and Talman). In all previous episodes the dot was round. The dot on the 'i' in episode titles (when there is an i) continues to alternate between round and square dots, the square usually seen on the bolder font used for shorter words/titles but this is not always consistent. Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 2/8/13.
Visible Crew: At approximately 1835, Paul Drake enters Perry's office, and as he starts to close the door, a hand is visible in the doorway, reaching for the door, presumably to grab the outer knob and pull the door all the way shut or keep it shut. I've heard of doormen, but this is rather strange. Submitted by Scarter 12-28-13
+ The same thing happened in episode 12 TCOT Negligent Nymph when Lt. Tragg and Arthur Dorian entered Burger's office. Added by H. Mason 10/7/14
++ See also Episode #74 TCOT Startled Stallion for an almost-identical occurrence. Added by Dan K, 12/27/15.
+++ And yet another example in Episode #4 TCOT Drowning Duck. Added by Dan K, 7/14/16.
Goof: In the opening shot showing the houses and road along the beach, we hear the sound of surf, but the water doesn't move. Submitted by Alan Smithee, 4-16-14.
Della on the stand: Della was put on the witness stand for the second time (see episode 8 TCOT Crimson Kiss). This time Perry objects to many of Burger's questions. She would appear on the stand in 5 more episodes (63,160,162,172,187). Submitted by H. Mason 9/25/14
+ I love Della's carefully considered testimony. She clearly knows that when a lawyer asks if you know what time it is, the correct answer is "Yes, sir." Submitted by Vladimir Estragon 1/17/2024.
This was the first of six episodes where the three main characters (defendant, victim, killer) are all female. The others are episodes 31,37,143,153,204. Submitted by H. Mason 9/26/14
Phone numbers: When Leona Walsh called Perry's office she only dialed six numbers. Mary K. Davis had the number NOrcross 4211. What happened to the seven digit phone numbers? Submitted by H. Mason 10/7/14
+ Back then numbers were 2L + 5N and 2L + 4N. Some were in fact 3L + 4N. See here. Also, see here. Submitted by HamBurger, 5/31/2021
Della's impersonation: This story had the first of several instances where Miss Street would "pretend" to be another person. She usually would not claim to be that person, only go to a place the other woman was likely to be and let someone assume she was that person. Submitted by H. Mason 10/7/14
+Della's fashion sense is impeccable: her gloves match the blouse she's wearing --- right down to the stripes! jfh 19May2017.
++ still lovin' the striped gloves! jfh 22Nov2021
Renoir's "A Girl with a Watering Can" must have been a popular item during the 60s. If you look closely you will see it again in "The Case of the Golden Oranges". Submitted by pauloh1 18/11/14
Props: At approximately 6:30, note the smashed photograph of Ralph Davis (Philip Ober), which Mary K. Davis has hurled across the room. The identical photograph (then representing Sumner Hodge) gets smashed again in Episode #210 TCOT Tandem Target, although the frame and pattern of the smashed glass are different. Apparently this photograph has taken quite a bit of abuse. Submitted by Dan K, 1/1/16.
According to IMDB, this is the third of seven PM episodes directed by London-born Andrew V. McLaglen...MikeM. 8/18/2016
This is the first of five PM episodes for Quebec-born Ruta Lee. Ruta Lee is a Hollywood HS graduate. She turned 81 last May...MikeM. 8/81/2016
According to IMDB, the teleplay was written by Dick Stenger. It's his only PM credit...MikeM. 8/18/2016
This is the only PM appearance for Karin Booth, who is a notable alumni of John Marshall High School in Los Angeles. Leonardo DiCaprio is also on the John Marshall HS alumni list...MikeM. 5/31/2018
Mudlark has two meanings : (1) a type of bird, native to Australia (2) someone who scavenges in river mud for items of value. We've no clue as to which of them inspires the name of the bar, but I suppose given that Ms. Davis finds her book at the Seaside Hospital, we could say there's a symbolic connotation...or not. Notcom 122123.
Why does the judge ask if Miss Street is in court? Can't he see her sitting next to Mason and his client? Wouldn't most judges know who Mason's secretary is by sight by now? Wiseguy70005, 4/30/24.
Would celebrity Mary K really have her phone number published where anyone could call her? Wiseguy70005, 4/30/24.
Why did the writers show the new dictating cylinder getting stuck? To create tension or to use up time? Wiseguy70005, 4/30/24.