Show89
The title painting can also be seen in Otto Gervaert’s studio in #146, TCOT Absent Artist. Submitted by Xanthippe Svanström, 11/30/2004.
+ The Crying Cherub painting can also be seen in #187, TCOT Reluctant Model, in Goring Gilbert’s studio. Submitted by daveb, 7/14/2007.
I noticed an odd credit screen (see here) in this episode. It starts out with three normal credit lines, then a line that says “with” and then a line that says “MALA POWERS as June Sinclair.” Why the special treatment for Ms. Powers? Are there other episodes with odd credits? Submitted by Charles Richmond, 2/19/2009.
Both Cecil Kellaway and Frankie Laine got solo credit screens.
Tom Drake is best remembered as Judy Garland’s boy next door in “Meet Me in St Louis”. DOD 09/03/19
+ Yes, there are other episodes who give special credit to certain guest stars. Why this particular star, can’t be sure. Submitted by gracep, 10/2/2010.
+ I remember that Ms. Powers was a “big star” in those days due, I think, to her film work and to advertising campaigns mounted by Howard Hughes and RKO some years before. Submitted by daveb, 10/2/2010.
Beautiful Mala Powers played defendant three times (“TCOT Deadly Toy,” “Crying Cherub,” and “Weary Watchdog”) but in her last appearance in Perry Mason, was the victim ("TCOT Scarlet Scandal"). She and Anne Whitfield (3 episodes) were probably the two most attractive repeating actresses on the show. Submitted by CGraul, 9/5/2011.
+I can't disagree with CGraul, I'll just add Lisa Gay, in 7 episodes of Perry Mason, and Ruta Lee, in 5 episodes, to that list. submitted by DyNama, 10/29/2015.
++Yes and again yes, DyNama. The lovely Miss Gay gets my first place vote. Submitted by Rickapolis 09/30/21
TCOT Obnoxious Old Lady This is the second of Kathryn Givney's appearances as a domineering family matriarch on PM. In TCOT Dangerous Dowager, she treats her son just as she does her son in this episode, as "a vegetable that has learned to talk." In TCOT Poison Pen-Pal, she abuses her little great-niece. What an unpleasant character type to specialize in! Submitted by JazzBaby, 8/26/2019.
The opening of the show has been changed since last week. The opening now matches the opening of episode #68, TCOT Dubious Bridegroom, where Perry takes the case file from the judge, and the action then stops while the cast names are listed on the folder. The reason for this change was that William Talman has been fired, and with the exception of episode #97, TCOT Credulous Quarry, he will never again be shown on the opening credits again unlike 87 of the previous 88 shows. Even though he will be hired back starting with the show of 21 January 1961, “The Case of the Fickle Fortune,” the opening of the show picturing Della, Paul, Lt. Tragg, and himself will never be used again. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 5/8/2009.
David Lewis is rushed into the breach as Deputy D.A. Mark Hanson. This quick casting was necessitated by the firing of William Talman. Even though David Lewis would make 4 more appearances on Perry (after appearing twice previously), this is the only time that he would be the D.A. Submitted by PaulDrake 33, 5/8/2009.
When June Sinclair arrives at Liza Carson Lambert's home, she checks the registration of the car parked in front to verify that it is David Lambert's. The card on the steering column bears his name and the address 1040 N. Las Palmas. This is the same address (minus the N.) for actor-posing-as-gambler Lou Caporale (Peter Leeds) in TCOT Artful Dodger (episode #78). I suspect this may be some kind of in-joke among the Mason production team. Submitted by FredK 10 November 2009.
+ The address 1040 N. Las Palmas is used again in episode #100, TCOT Lavender Lipstick, this time for defendant Karen Lewis (Pat Breslin). Submitted by FredK 26 November 2009.
The “in-joke” FredK suspected is that 1040 N. Las Palmas was the address of the studio where Perry Mason was being filmed. See episode #78 Trivia or put “Las Palmas” in this site's Wiki Search (in the sidebar) to see photos and more info about the studio. Posted by Eric Cooper, 5 February 2010. There is more about 1040 N. Las Palmas on the Location Trivia page.
+ Lambert's Registration. Due to the lighting & angle, all we see of the registration form is:
- AUTOMOBILE REGISTRATION_________NG4599?
- NAME . . . David Lambert________________Code--42
- ADDR REGISTERED OWNER . . 1040 No. Las Palmas
- Licence No...NFL-252_______Engine No. NHY879536
The Licence No is the same as the "NFL 252" typed on the registration forms for the cars owned by Kitty Wynn (Ep#77), Denver Leonard (Ep#83) and Richard Gilman (Ep#86). Added by Gary Woloski, 8/21/12.
Anomaly: At the beginning of Mrs. Harken’s testimony, Perry refers to the decedent as “Lisa” rather than “Liza,” though he gets it right the rest of the time. Submitted by Ed Zoerner, 3/31/2010.
+ When Perry visits Liza Carson’s apartment, he finds a note with a heading of “The Robey Galleries” that says: “Received from Lisa Carson four smiling cherubs for Auction as promised. Sylvester Robey.” So this note refers to Liza as “Lisa” again. Submitted by Charles Richmond, 9 November 2010. Picture here.
+ Also notice that Perry opened the note with a brush(?) that he picked up from the bed with his uncovered fingers. In other episodes he would pull a pen out of his pocket for a similar situation. Added by H. Mason 10/29/14
Location: Another of many shots of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse about 27.5 minutes into the episode. Submitted by Eric Cooper, 23 September 2010.
Sightings: In today’s episode, we find many recurring courtroom spectators. These include Little Old Lady in a Hat, Distinguished Lady #2, Distinguished Lady #3, Cute Young Lady, Quiet Old Man #1, and Distinguished Gentleman #1. Read more about them and other anonymous regulars here. Submitted by gracep, 10/2/2010.
+ And one more: Distinguished Lady #4 is sitting near #2. Submitted by gracenote, 11/16/2011.
+ One more: I am 99% sure "Miss Carmody" is the matron in court. She was also the matron in an earlier episode in season 3. Submitted by GeoffS, 2/20/12.
Uncredited Actors: Robert Wegner appears briefly (and silently) as a scowling cop. Submitted by gracep, 10/2/2010.
+ Don Anderson makes an appearance in court in back row on Perry's side after the break. Submitted by Bill767, 10/31/15.
Cars. (1) 1953 Ford Crestline V8 Convertible, registered to David Lambert, Lic No NFL 252 on form, light color, top down (4th appearance of "NFL 252" in series).
- (2) Perry's familiar, black 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie Skyliner, top down.
Added by Gary Woloski, 7/7/12.
Syndication cuts: Amelia Harkins asks the guard where is the painting; scene in Perry's office where David and June come to see him and it is revealed Perry had bought a painting from David previously; June sees David's car outside of Liza's and Liza takes a gun out of the drawer; scene with Richard in Perry's office; testimony of Clark, the guard. Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 8/12/12.
Anomaly: At 15:58, Perry is seen working late in his office. He has removed his necktie, his shirt collar is open, and his vest is unbuttoned. Vest? What vest? He isn't wearing a vest any other time in this episode, or most any other episode (except the previous TCOT Bashful Burro, q.v.). Submitted by 10yearoldfan, 15 Sept 2012.
+ And he seems to be enjoying an adult beverage. Kilo 11/21/2019.
Richard tells June that "Liza offered to return the picture for $25,000" but later on the stand after Hanson asks him about that Richard says "I believe she merely promised to tell me where it was." Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 1/14/14.
Mason needs to be more careful. When wiping the painting of the Crying Cherub he drips water(?) all over the floor of the courtroom. Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 1/14/14.
When June's gold clip is shown coming to rest under some furniture the legs appear to be longer (as on a table) then on the chair under which it is later found by Sgt. Brice. Submitted by Wiseguy70005, 1/14/14.
Abraham Sofaer was born in Burma in 1896...MikeM. 8/3/2016
This is the only PM appearance for Carmen Phillips, born January 1937. She has the same name as silent film actress Carmen Phillips, who died in December 1936...MikeM. 11/9/2016