Arch Oboler goes over The Hollywood March Of Dimes Of The Air script with a much younger emcee Tommy Cook at the NBC mike (1942)

It should also be noted that this story for this script, The Case of the Curious Bride (1935), was one of the earliest Perry Mason novels to come to Film, starring Warren William as Perry Mason and directed by Michael Curtiz.]

The Purple Woman

Frank Silvera circa 1946

Universally cast without regard for his color, Silvera was equally successful in white, latin, ethnic European, mixed race or black character roles. Though his life was cut short due to an electrocution accident in his home at the age of only 56, he'd already carved out an extraordinary, multi-media career as a critically acclaimed writer, actor and director.

His performance in The Case of The Fancy Figures only underscores his amazing range and versatility.]

The Headline

The 'Pundit Dream'

Continuity Issues

And what could be a more romantic opener than an secret asignation at the lovely Hotel Culver?

This is another of the original Erle Stanley Gardner stories (as again prefixed in this new title sequence's title screen as "Erle Stanley Gardner's . . . "). The story first screened in 1936's The Case of The Black Cat starring Ricardo Cortez as Perry Mason, making it the sixth Perry Mason film to move from pulp to screen, large or small.

The seven earliest renditions of Perry Mason in Film were:

1917 The Seven Pearls with Léon Bary

1934 The Case of The Howling Dog
with Warren William

1935 The Case of The Curious Bride
with Warren William

1935 The Case of The Lucky Legs
with Warren William

1936 The Case of The Velvet Claws
with Warren William

1936 The Case of The Black Cat
with Ricardo Cortez

1937 The Case of The Stuttering Bishop
with Donald Woods

The period during which Warren William was portraying Perry Mason four times, he was also portraying Philo Vance and Sam Spade (or rather a wacky caricature of Sam Spade--Ted Shane). Upon completing the Perry Mason foursome for First National Pictures, he launched into his nine portrayals of Michael Lanyard, The Lone Wolf , between 1939 and 1943, while tossing off another apperance as Philo Vance in The Gracie Allen Murder Case (1939) with Gracie Allen.

This episode also features the only appearance of Judy Lewis (born Judy Young) in the Perry Mason series. To be charitable, this was not Judy Lewis' most noteworthy acting appearance--she's terrible, but gorgeous nonetheless. Fortunately she only had seven short lines. Judy Lewis was the celebrated love-child of Clark Gable and Loretta Young (yes, the virginal, innocent Loretta Young). Born with her father's extraordinarily characteristic ears, her mother wisely had them snipped when Judy was seven. Judy Lewis went on to compile a successful Television career, subsequently retiring to become a celebrated author, Psychological Therapist, and counselor in Southern California.]

"Are Raymond Burr and actress Joan Tabor planning a surprise?..."

She was recently single when she appeared in this episode (her second appearance in the series). Knowing what we know now about the personal lives of both principals, Winchell's question seems rather naive, if not downright humorous. Jean Tabor was only 27 when she appeared in The Case of The Dubious Bridegroom. Within the following seven years she'd be married for 4 years to Broderick Crawford, then divorced. Then at the age of only 34, would succumb to an accidental overdose of influenza medicine.

Rosa Turich, better known in early Spanish Television as Felipin Y Rosita, the comedy act she shared with her husband, Felipe, was one of the era's most durable Latina character actresses--on both sides of the border with Mexico. She's credited with at least 100 appearances in American television and at least twice that many in Mexican television.]

First, the obvious disclaimer: "no pets were actually injured during the filming of these productions." Another obvious observation is that four out of five of these scripts were from Erle Stanley Gardner's own pen. Was Erle Stanley Gardner a pet lover himself? It rather begs the question. One might well ask if The Case of The Jilted Jockey doesn't qualify as a sixth, but we're reminded that Bright Magic, the doped up colt, wasn't actually a domestic pet.

It's obvious the production staff had a lot of fun with the Season closer. It's played a bit over the top, by design. It's also one of the twistier plots. Susan Cummings, Chet Stratton, and Berry Kroeger are the scene-stealers in this episode, all three clearly camping it up for the season finale. The cinematography for this one was pretty artsy as well. Note the shot at right from inside the fireplace. All in all a fine close to second great season.

And of course a season which brought another 200-plus Golden Age Radio stars to the small screen.]