THE CASE OF THE FATAL FASHION is one of the last of the Perry Mason TV series and sometimes that shows in the hackneyed nature of the plot which really has been done to death in all kinds of TV shows and movies previously. The story is about a gossip columnist who is killed by somebody she's offended and of course the list of suspects is as long as your arm. Perry and Della just happen to be in the area and witness an argument between a suspect and the murder victim just prior to her death, thus becoming integral to the court case.
The story that follows is quite watchable although the writing isn't always as strong as it could be and it doesn't rank next to a Columbo, say, from the same era. Raymond Burr's professionalism keeps you watching, however, and there's neat turn from Scott Baio as a hot young lawyer determined to beat his idol. There's also a great little sub-plot involving Ken joining forces with a gangster's enforcer in order to find the murderer; this adds pace, excitement, and humour to the story.
The story that follows is quite watchable although the writing isn't always as strong as it could be and it doesn't rank next to a Columbo, say, from the same era. Raymond Burr's professionalism keeps you watching, however, and there's neat turn from Scott Baio as a hot young lawyer determined to beat his idol. There's also a great little sub-plot involving Ken joining forces with a gangster's enforcer in order to find the murderer; this adds pace, excitement, and humour to the story.