Customer Reviews

Perry Mason Collector's Edition: Couterfeit Crank & Drifting Dropout

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PM- Counterfeit Crank & Drifting Dropout

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

"The Case of the Counterfeit Crank" begins at a bank where a man withdraws $2,000. Mr. Gus Dalgran is generous. Will they sell that desert land cheap? There is a shortage of funds, and there is a deal that needs money. Is Gus senile? Disturbing the peace? Dalgran's competency is questioned. Hardening of the arteries or "senile psychosis"? Gus appears to be incompetent. Perry Mason questions Gus about his behavior. Is it an act? Nephew Ken is the guardian, and sells the desert property. Gus is enraged, and escapes the sanitarium. [Why would Sandra go to the movies alone?] Will nephew Ken be found dead in a station wagon? Gus is arrested for the murder. Perry Mason explains the difference between insanity and incompetency. "Dreams are a non-negotiable asset in the business world." [Still true today?] There was a cash shortage.
The Preliminary Hearing lets the witnesses testify. [Note the legal points.] We learn of the hidden value of that desert land. The discussion about the land was carried on in letters, not in person! Who was forging signatures? Perry calls witnesses and we learn more about the missing money and securities. Was a dummy firm involved? We learn about the hidden scandals. Did one witness lie or withhold facts? Who killed Kenny? Dalgran testifies about the facts. Another witness speaks out about what happened. The admission will free Perry's client. The last scene tells what will happen to that desert land.
This story had the usual techniques of the series, but seems below average. Actor John Larkin played "Perry Mason" in the earlier series on radio.

"The Case of the Drifting Dropout" begins at a suburban crossroads where a truck tows a car to a junkyard. A scenic place? Barry Davis quits his job after a disagreement with Mort Lynch. What is that metal plate? Australia has big waves for surfing - and big sharks. Will Barry get a job as a journalist? [Pictures of surfing to reflect popular interest?] Does owning a junkyard make a man wealthy? [A scarcity in civilian production?] Can Barry investigate Mort Lynch? [Is this how "old money" tries to put down the "new rich"?] Barry hires Paul Drake to research his dead uncle's past, and learns new facts. "A crook?" Barry returns to see Mort Lynch but finds him dead! [Was Barry's job lost to an immigrant?] Perry Mason, Mort's lawyer, arrives at the scrap metal yard and starts to investigate. Barry is the prime suspect: blood spots on his clothes. Was he framed?
The witnesses testify at the Preliminary Hearing. Who took that picture? Why? "I saw nothing." What was Mr. Harper doing in Tijuana? Who had that counterfeit plate? We learn about Sanford Harper's gambling. Or was it something else? When a witness testifies, a spectator speaks out with an accusation. The demeanor of the witness symbolizes guilt. The last scene ties up the loose ends for a happy ending.
This story uses the formula of the series, but the events seem synthetic. Raymond Burr has put on more weight; due to worries? [Did they put on the best shows at the start of the season?]