Perry Mason

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CBS (ended 1966)
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Show Summary

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There are few actors so closely tied to a persona than Raymond Burr as Perry Mason. This long-running series was built upon Erle Stanley Gardners many novels about a brilliant defense lawyer and his staff, that solved many a crime with surprise witnesses and stern cross-examinations.It was the first mystery series to feature chalk or tape outlines to mark the spots where bodies were found. Filmed almost exclusively in the Los Angeles area, Raymond Burr had Gardner's seal of approval in the role. The cases were usually won by way of pivotal confessions of witnesses, solicited by Perry Mason (Burr's) surgeon-like examination or with last-minute, key evidence brought into the courtroom by private investigator, Paul Drake (William Hopper). Della Street (Barbara Hale), Perrys faithful secretary, was always at Perry's side in the courtroom where hapless Hamilton Burger (William Tallman) was the Los Angeles District Attorney who never seemed to win. As to the myth that Perry Mason never lost, there were 2 episodes where it did occur... but you'll have to watch to find out.The show was revived in 1973-74, with other actors in the familiar roles (Monte Markham as Mason), and then again with the some of the original cast, in a string of feature length TV films from 1985 until Raymond Burrs death in 1993.''''''Programming Note: Sadly, Hallmark Channel is no longer airing the Perry Mason series but they have begun airing the TV movies on average of about one per week. Check the Hallmark Channel listings to find out the dates and times.''moreless
8.8
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Episode Guide

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S 12 :  Ep 4 Aired 4/10/95
S 12 :  Ep 3 Aired 11/9/94
S 12 :  Ep 2 Aired 5/10/94
S 12 :  Ep 1 Aired 12/17/93
S 11 :  Ep 17 Aired 11/29/93

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  • Blog Spotlight: Perry Mason: Judge Sotomayor doesn't know her TV law history 0

    Blog Spotlight: Perry Mason: Judge Sotomayor doesn't know her TV law history

    By TV.com Staff, Jul 16, 2009

    If you're one of the few remaining dissenters who doesn't think Sonia Sotormayor is qualified to serve on the nation's highest ranking court, don't blame President Obama. Don't blame any of her law professors or mentors. Don't even blame the… more

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    December 2, 2008 DVD Releases

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Fan Reviews (9)

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  • As I Love Lucy set the standard for future situation comedy series, so Perry Mason sets the standard for courtroom and investigation series that followed it.

    9.1
    "Superb"
    By bmoshier, Jan 25, 2011 Report Abuse
    Before there was Law & Order, Quincy, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS, JAG, Justice, Barnaby Jones, or any of the many crime, law, or investigation series there was Perry Mason.

    Perry Mason managed to combine all these various aspects of a good crime series into an hour show. With Paul as his detective and yes even Lieutenant Arthur Tragg helping from time to time Perry fought for justice inside the courtroom.

    Unlike many of today's courtroom drama series Perry put justice ahead of his winning record. While his courtroom antics were wonderful twists, skating close to being unethical, and a thorn in D.A. Hamilton Burger side, he wouldn't break the law (expect for the occasional parking ticket) and above all he sought the truth.

    Somewhere along the lines many of the series that followed forgot to seek the truth. It isn't their fault, as they only emulated the real life police and district attorneys who view their records as more important than justice or truth.

    Where the series that followed forgot their obligations (to set a higher standard and remind all those inside and outside of the real courtrooms of how truly unique, wondrous, and above all fragile our liberties and system of justice is to each person), Perry Mason doesn't forget nor does he fail to find a calling higher than the truth and justice.

    Perry Mason like its Black and White format showed us the grey tones guilty people use to conceal the truth. But also like its format the series viewed its world in very simple terms, such as a guilty person when faced with his guilt will confess. Life doesn't always imamate art and there in lies Perry Mason's greatest and its flaw.moreless

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    5 0

  • This show is perfect

    10
    "Perfect"
    By UltraStrata, Jul 18, 2010 Report Abuse
    I do not know what else to day. This show is the ultimate in mystery and entertainment. Though I tend to faveor the latter, colored episodes (for their more complex mysteries, more realistic murders, and larger amounts of action and suspense), the original black and white ones were no less than the best either. This is one of those television shows that I honestly believe someone should have been jailed at the cancellation of. So what if Raymond Burr passed away. The producers should have found a way to make it work. They could have done a reboot with a younger guy and kept the same producers (to retain quality). My only regret is that the re-runs of this show don't air abymore. This show was EPIC.moreless

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  • Perry Mason was a popular show based on Erle Stanley Gardners long running book series. Not liking the movies made from his books Gardner accepted less money from CBS in exchange for creative control Gardner chose Raymond Burr as Perry.moreless

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By OLDERTVFAN, Dec 05, 2008 Report Abuse
    Perry Mason is one of the most popular law series and I remember my mom watching the show. I like the main three characters. Perry the lawyer, Della Street his secretary and Paul Drake the detective. Many current TV stars guested on the show. Its one of the few black and white series still showing. A local UHF station still runs it daily. Thats why I can remember It well since I managed to see almost all the episodes.I saw it listed on a mystery book about detectives which included Paul Drake as a helper because Perry of course is the main character.moreless

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  • Captivated without a requirment of succession....

    10
    "Perfect"
    By holy_grenade125, Dec 18, 2006 Report Abuse
    My words have an intensity not available to the English dictionary. There is not a single word that can explain the marvel exhibited from the superb acting that so glimpsed in a single flip of a remote control. Hardly had I even the time to change my preference let alone listen in my perception! The myriad captivities, I am sure understood by Mason veterans, is so unwillingly unleashed in torrents of drama and fear. I mean this not in an English sense that I had feared it by first sight, rather something beyond emotions that is exceedingly beyond me, but palpable to said video show. At first, a thought can easily perceive: "Cor, what unadulerated crime could've been unleashed in the maturation of drama in mere black-and-white!?" I need not tell you the answer, namely if you've read a single quote; if you are bereft of the marvel that is Perry Mason, persist in the viewing of it, for no review in the terminology of whatever language can fully appreciate the believable acting, and heightened drama -- prepare thyself.moreless

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    1 0

  • The ultimate who done it! A crime drama with the leading character, being the great trial lawyer, Parry Mason.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By cptreft, Jun 12, 2006 Report Abuse
    With the last show being now 40 years ago, it is still being followed by fans world wide. They have tried two remakes, with the original cast (Raymond Burr as Perry Mason and Barbara Hail as Della Street) having the only success.
    This is the best of the best. A show that would fit in the 21st century as it did when I was a boy in the 1960\'s. I can never wait for the show to run on one of the local PBS stations. They at least run it seven days a week.
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Goodie Two Shoes, High Stake Situations, Illegal Activities, Judicial Justice, Keeping Secrets

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