Product Details

• Format: NTSC, Collector's Edition
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B0007L7IRA
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,644 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Courtroom Murder Mysteries, July 6, 2009

By	Acute Observer (N. Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

The "Perry Mason" novels were a form of mystery stories where the lawyer is the detective and the solution occurs in a courtroom. A real life court trial is not as dramatic as in fiction. Erle Stanley Gardner often educated his readers with new technology or medical-legal facts, and warned of swindles. The TV shows were simplified and modified versions from the originals, or new stories. Some may criticize the tactics of Perry Mason but they represent life before the modern legal rules of the 1960s. The prices, automobiles, and monetary figures date these stories. They record the styles and culture of the 1950s. The many character actors who look like ordinary people enrich these stories, their emotions are often read from their facial expressions.

"The Case of the Prudent Prosecutor" begins when Jeff Pike is being ejected from a café, he wants to talk to Denver Leonard. Pike takes a revolver out of a car and shoots himself in the leg! [No powder burns?] Pike claims Leonard shot him. Hamilton Burger is a member of the gun club. Pike's son Fred was an Olympic class ice skater but an injury ended his career. There is business intrigue and conflict. Wealthy Mr. Culver puts up $50,000 to create a show for his young wife. Jeff Pike calls Burger for the name of a lawyer, and Perry Mason goes to see Jeff. Who killed Denver Leonard? Perry will defend Jeff and begins to investigate the people involved. The police have a good case against Jeff Pike.
The witnesses testify in court. How could fingerprints be found near the muzzle of a shotgun? Mr. Kirkwood gets angry when questioned by Perry Mason about his actions. Can people hear noise from the other cottage? Perry questions Mr. Culver about his recollection. Someone in the court speaks out and is called to testify. Then a statement is made that frees Perry's client. The last scenes explain the loose ends. Perry and Hamilton hold their shotguns for display.
[This is the type of story that became a cliche for this series. Someone in the courtroom suddenly confessed to solve the crime.]

"The Case of the Treacherous Toupée" begins when a Boeing 707 jet plane lands at San Francisco airport. One man makes a telephone call. Mrs. Sybil Bassett has left for a meeting, does she have a proxy? The shareholder meting is interrupted by the appearance of Mr. Bassett. Was there conflicts and intrigue in his absence? Did people plan to loot his tool and die company? Bassett fires Mr. and Mrs. Dawson. Dawson sees Perry Mason, who will confer with Hartley Bassett. But Bassett was shot dead. Whose hair was in his hand? Perry talks to Mr. Peter Dawson. What happened to Teddi Hart who saw a man rushing from Bassett's office? The accountant talks about that night. Perry talks to Mr. Ken Woodman, who suggests the stepson had an interest. Paul Drake discovers facts about Teddi. Perry hired a double for Teddi and sends her on a vacation. The murder weapon was found near where Mr. Dawson lived. Accountant Colemar tells what the ledgers showed. What message was sent to Sybil Bassett? Did she tell Peter Dawson? Perry explains why he hired a double - to bluff the real murderer into fleeing. It worked, and Perry's client was freed.
[This clever plot echoes elements from other Gardner novels.]