Customer Reviews

Perry Mason Collector's Edition: Prodigal Parent & Empty Tin

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The "Perry Mason" novels were a form of mystery stories where the lawyer is a detective and the solution occurs in a courtroom. Erle Stanley Gardner often educated his readers by mentioning new technology or medico-legal facts; they often warned of scams and swindles. A real life trial is not as dramatic as these stories. The prices date these stories, as do the vehicles. Gardner was a founder of "The Court of Last Resort" that worked to reverse unjust convictions. These TV stories are the simplified and condensed versions of the original novel; the stories and names of the characters could be changed. Some may criticize the tactics of Perry Mason but most stories were written before the modern legal rules of the 1960s. The monetary figures from the 1950s are far out of date; multiply by ten (or more) for today's figures. Note the familiarity with firearms.

"The Case of the Prodigal Parent" begins in an office where the secretary, Laraine Stevens, refuses to date Mr. Phillip Larkin. Laraine is sent on an errand, when she calls George Durrell for information she finds a problem. Mr. Larkin can't answer either. The police were called and find the body. The fingerprints on the gun case belong to Joseph Harrison. Mrs. Ethel Harrison visits Perry Mason for her divorced husband. Mr. Harrison explains his behavior. Mrs. Harrison has disappeared. If the gun case was polished how did the fingerprints get on it? A silent home movie shows a conflict. Perry questions a witness and gets a hidden secret revealed. There is a surprise ending that frees Perry's client. [This was not adapted from a Gardner novel but seems similar in plot.]

"The Case of the Empty Tin" starts in San Francisco with an ad for a missing daughter named Doris Hocksley who will inherit millions. A woman applies, but she doesn't have enough proof of her identity (pictures, written letters). Miss Hocksley visits Perry Mason for legal advice. Perry visits Miriam Hocksley, the other claimant who has more proof. A phone call to Perry reports a shooting of Elston Carr. Perry's client Doris is in the room and she is arrested for murder. Miss Landry tells what she witnessed. At the trial the witnesses give their testimony. Is there a secret in that empty tin box? That night Perry gets a phone call with a confession from Miriam. Who could have shot the bride and groom? Perry explains how he solved this case. [The original 1941 story was updated for the politics of 1958.]