Perry Mason (TV Series)

The Case of the Posthumous Painter (1961)

William Talman: Hamilton Burger

Quotes 

• Hamilton Burger : As curator of the Hessler Museum, then, you bought a number of paintings at this exhibition.

  Dr. Vincent Kenyon : Yes, Mr. Burger, I did.

  Hamilton Burger : Dr. Kenyon, could you explain to this court exactly how the death of an artist can relate to the sale of his work?

  Dr. Vincent Kenyon : In an artist of Culross' caliber, it's the inevitable law of supply and demand. When the source of the supply is dead, prices rise, if the paintings have merit.

  Hamilton Burger : Then, in effect, Dr. Kenyon, you were the victim of a fraud. A fraud perpetrated by Durrant, the art dealer, by the artist himself, and by anyone else who knew that Culross was alive, or who participated in setting up his mock suicide, or his posthumous exhibition.

  Dr. Vincent Kenyon : Unfortunately I was the victim of just such a fraud.

• Perry Mason : Dr. Kenyon, you are an expert on fine arts?

  Dr. Vincent Kenyon : It has been said so.

  Perry Mason : Uh, now, when you purchased the painting titled "Three Witches" for the Hessler collection, it was in the belief that Jack Culross was dead?

  Dr. Vincent Kenyon : Yes.

  Perry Mason : As you previously stated, you were the unwitting victim of a fraud.

  Dr. Vincent Kenyon : Well, obviously.

  Perry Mason : As you were when you bought a forged Matisse from Culross?

  Hamilton Burger : Your Honor, we protest.

  Judge : The witness will answer the question.

  Dr. Vincent Kenyon : Well, I...

  Perry Mason : Dr. Kenyon, did you not buy from Jack Culross an alleged Matisse called "Blue Waters"?

  Dr. Vincent Kenyon : Yes, I did.

  Perry Mason : Are you aware that the genuine "Blue Waters" is in a private collection in London?

  Dr. Vincent Kenyon : But I found that out later.

  Hamilton Burger : Your Honor, we protest this irrelevant attempt to degrade a witness for the state.

  Judge : Since this is related to probity of an expert witness, I find it most relevant and illuminating. Continue, Mr. Mason.

  Perry Mason : Was Culross blackmailing you in order to promote his career, Dr. Kenyon?

  Dr. Vincent Kenyon : [pause]  I won't answer! I won't!