Perry Mason (TV Series)

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     'Perry Mason' is an American TV series that is produced by Paisano Productions. The series ran from 1957 to 1966. It was based on the book series written by Erle Stanley Gardner.

     'Perry Mason' was originally one of the longest running lawyer series at one time.

     In 1973, CBS brought back 'Perry Mason'. This one ran for only one season. It starred Monte Markham as Mason instead of Raymond Burr.

     Ray Burr returned as Mason in TV movies that aired from 1985-1995.

Cast

Raymond Burr-Perry Mason

Barbara Hale-Della Street

William Hopper-Paul Drake

William Talman-Hamilton Burger

Ray Collins-Lieutenant Arthur Tragg

Richard Anderson-Lieutenant Steve Drumm

Wesley Lau-Lieutenant Andy Anderson

Facts

• Each episode was practically the same. The first part of episode shows prospective victim as deserving to be murdered. Mason's client is accused of the victims murder. Mason dramatically demonstrates the quilt of another character.
• In a few episodes, B7urger and Tragg are shown assisting Mason and Drake in catching the killer.
• All but one episode of 'Perry Mason' was filmed in black and white.
• In 'The Case Of The Sardonic Sergeant', neither Burger or Tragg appeared in the episode.
• Perry Mason's office phone number is MA5-1190 (MA meaning Madison exchange.) The Madison exchanged covers Hollywood and Huntington Park areas. Mason's office is downtown Los Angeles.
• In 'The Case Of The Fugitive Nurse', Lieutenant Tragg offers Mason's phone number to Mrs. Morris.
• The series was stapled in syndication to TBS and recently to the Hallmark Channel. 'Perry Mason is still shown in local markets and distributed by CBS.
• In 1973, CBS attempted to recreate 'Perry Mason' but it only lasted half a season. The recreation was called 'The New Adventures of Perry Mason'.

Perry Mason TV Movies

     Dean Hargrove resurrected Mason's character in a series of Television movies for NBC in 1985. Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale reprised their roles as Mason and Della. William Katt, Hale's real life son, played the role of Paul Drake's son.

     There were a total of 30 movies. When Raymond Burr died in 1993, Paul Sorvino and Hal Holbrook starred in the final four episodes titled 'A Perry Mason Mystery'.

 

1. Perry Mason Returns (1985) (TV)
2. Perry Mason: The Case of the Notorious Nun (1986) (TV)
3. Perry Mason: The Case of the Shooting Star (1986) (TV)
4. Perry Mason: The Case of the Murdered Madam (1987) (TV)
5. Perry Mason: The Case of the Lost Love (1987) (TV)
6. Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel (1987) (TV)
7. Perry Mason: The Case of the Sinister Spirit (1987) (TV)
8. Perry Mason: The Case of the Avenging Ace (1988) (TV)
9. Perry Mason: The Case of the Lady in the Lake (1988) (TV)
10. Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lesson (1989) (TV)
11. Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder (1989) (TV)
12. Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin (1989) (TV)
13. Perry Mason: The Case of the Silenced Singer (1990) (TV)
14. Perry Mason: The Case of the Defiant Daughter (1990) (TV)
15. Perry Mason: The Case of the Desperate Deception (1990) (TV)
16. Perry Mason: The Case of the Poisoned Pen (1990) (TV)
17. Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Fashion (1991) (TV)
18. Perry Mason: The Case of the Glass Coffin (1991) (TV)
19. Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster (1991) (TV)
20. Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter (1991) (TV)
21. Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing (1992) (TV)
22. Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride (1992) (TV)
23. Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo (1992) (TV)
24. Perry Mason: The Case of the Skin-Deep Scandal (1993) (TV)
25. Perry Mason: The Case of the Telltale Talk Show Host (1993) (TV)
26. Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss (1993) (TV)

Perry Mason Mysteries (1993)

1. A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Wicked Wives (1993) (TV) (starring Paul Sorvino)
2. A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle (1994) (TV) (starring Hal Holbrook)
3. A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Grimacing Governor (1994) (TV) (starring Hal Holbrook)
4. A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Jealous Jokester (1995) (TV) (starring Hal Holbrook)