Perry and Paul are off on a fishing trip as soon as they drop off some papers for one of Perry's clients, Richartd Bayler. Unfortunately his client's wife Elaine (Marla Powers) is murdered and everyone suspects Donald Hobart (Will Hutchins). Bayler angrily forbids Perry from representing the boy and the entire town including scene chewing sheriff Moose Patton (Gene Evans) seems to be determined to trample on the boy's rights as they seek revenge. While Perry actually does NOT become the boy's defense counsel (important to know once you find out the ending) he does help him out with advice and does represent his girlfriend Cynthia Perkins (Luanna Patten) when charges against Hobart are dropped and she is charged with the murder instead. While almost everyone seems to be going way over the top in scene chewing among the guest cast (and a special mention for Perkins who just has a grating voice), an excellent characterization is delivered by Clinton Sundberg as Aaron Chambers, the piano playing town medical examiner. He's excellent and its too bad they kind of forget about him in the second half of this show. I'd have liked to see more of him.
8 Reviews
The ending was rushed- but still a good show.
kfo949431 January 2013
On Perry's way on a fishing trip, Paul and he drive over to Mr Richard Bayler's house so that he can sign some legal papers. Upon arriving they have found out that Bayler's wife, Elaine, had been shot and killed the night before and they have a young man named Donald Hobart in custody.
Donald, a musician, had been living in a cottage owned by the Baylers while he wrote songs for Ms Bayler. While Donald and his girlfriend, Cynthia Perkins, were at the cottage, Ms Bayler comes walking in and demands that Donald go with her. She has a letter that is blackmailing her saying that Ms Bayler and Donald was having an affair. A note tells her to leave money in a park so Elaine gets Donald to deliver the money. When Donald gets out to place the money, Elaine is shot and killed. Donald is arrested.
In this small community, Mr Bayler controls nearly all aspects of the town. With nearly all lawyers refusing to go against Bayler, Perry is asked to defend Dan. When Mr Bayler finds out that Perry is asked to defend the accused- Bayler demands Perry to leave or he will not be his lawyer anymore. Perry advises that that he will return Mr Bayler's retainer because no one will order him about.
But when evidence is gathered by the sheriff department, Cynthia Perkins will be charged with the murder and Perry will defend her in court.
In rushed courtroom scenes. Perry will question the witnesses until a surprising result develops. Someone that appears to be innocent will make a terrible mistake and will lead to Perry getting the charges of murder against Cynthia dripped.
The show was top notch until we get to the courtroom. I guess they spent so much time with the story that when the courtroom scenes began it was rushed to get the result in the allotted time. Too bad- It finished poorly after such a great start. But it was a nice watch as Perry has some good lines in the episode.
Donald, a musician, had been living in a cottage owned by the Baylers while he wrote songs for Ms Bayler. While Donald and his girlfriend, Cynthia Perkins, were at the cottage, Ms Bayler comes walking in and demands that Donald go with her. She has a letter that is blackmailing her saying that Ms Bayler and Donald was having an affair. A note tells her to leave money in a park so Elaine gets Donald to deliver the money. When Donald gets out to place the money, Elaine is shot and killed. Donald is arrested.
In this small community, Mr Bayler controls nearly all aspects of the town. With nearly all lawyers refusing to go against Bayler, Perry is asked to defend Dan. When Mr Bayler finds out that Perry is asked to defend the accused- Bayler demands Perry to leave or he will not be his lawyer anymore. Perry advises that that he will return Mr Bayler's retainer because no one will order him about.
But when evidence is gathered by the sheriff department, Cynthia Perkins will be charged with the murder and Perry will defend her in court.
In rushed courtroom scenes. Perry will question the witnesses until a surprising result develops. Someone that appears to be innocent will make a terrible mistake and will lead to Perry getting the charges of murder against Cynthia dripped.
The show was top notch until we get to the courtroom. I guess they spent so much time with the story that when the courtroom scenes began it was rushed to get the result in the allotted time. Too bad- It finished poorly after such a great start. But it was a nice watch as Perry has some good lines in the episode.
An unusual twist in the parameter
bkoganbing30 May 2014
It's not often that lawyers will fling a $10,000.00 retainer back in the face of their client. But when a certain sense of injustice and mob violence starts hitting the small town that he and Paul Drake arrive in to deliver some papers for client Lloyd Gough, Raymond Burr sees Gough stirring up a lynch mentality against Will Hutchins. His sense of justice aroused Burr tells Gough what he can do with his retainer and returns it to him to do it.
But later on its Luana Patten who's been seeing Hutchins that is arrested for the shooting death of Mala Powers who is Mrs. Gough. Perry defends her at the preliminary hearing and of course uncovers the real killer.
Forensics help in this one, in fact they're crucial. William Hopper does his detective work in that part of the case ably assisted by Clinton Sundberg the local police laboratory chief.
This episode features an unusual twist in the Perry Mason parameter, but the parameter holds true.
But later on its Luana Patten who's been seeing Hutchins that is arrested for the shooting death of Mala Powers who is Mrs. Gough. Perry defends her at the preliminary hearing and of course uncovers the real killer.
Forensics help in this one, in fact they're crucial. William Hopper does his detective work in that part of the case ably assisted by Clinton Sundberg the local police laboratory chief.
This episode features an unusual twist in the Perry Mason parameter, but the parameter holds true.
Take this job and shove it
darbski13 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
**SPOILERS** Hated to see Mala Powers (Elaine), get bumped off; she's real pretty. However, she's also got too much money, too much influence, too much self importance, and she's not bulletproof. Well, she's a beautiful decedent, right? She and Cynthia go at it pretty good before she's shot up, and it wasn't the first time; I respect anyone who stands up for themselves. What happened to the rest of the 10 Grand that was in the envelope? It was never explained.
The music in Natasha's nite club was a little better, but still not real rock. I've mentioned this before, and frankly, they could have gotten a good high school combo to play better music. Also, Natasha was talking about the club being more "bohemian" for her customers; it was the normal fare she had to offer that was bohemian. Small band, guitars, bongos; that stuff. Problem was ,by 1966, "bohemian" was long since gone; from "Beat" to Beatles; times change, and these producer's musical tastes didn't. It was, I'll bet, older adults that thought they were "hip"; and clearly weren't. Ask anyone who was my age back then; they'll tell you the same thing. Hollywood did a terrible job with contemporary music. The Judge seems to be part of the "Loudest Pencil Club" rather than use a gavel.
Cool stuff; Paul and Perry show up in a sweet T-Bird, Aaron (the forensics guy) Had a great leather car coat, Della was beautiful, The murder weapon was a Colt Woodsman; great for hunting small game and targets, I owned one myself, long ago. Baylor's kid, Howard, drives a girlie Mustang. Perry tells Baylor where he can put his retainer. Richard Devon plays Baylor's Fixer and lobbyist; usually he plays gangsters, or general purpose bad guys (R.I.P., Mr,Devon). Paul and Perry used hacksaws to cut off a metal pipe stanchion; I'd love to see them do THAT for real. Good acting, pretty girls, Mason wins, and gets the bad guy. Fishing season is over, Della gets the last word, it's good.
The music in Natasha's nite club was a little better, but still not real rock. I've mentioned this before, and frankly, they could have gotten a good high school combo to play better music. Also, Natasha was talking about the club being more "bohemian" for her customers; it was the normal fare she had to offer that was bohemian. Small band, guitars, bongos; that stuff. Problem was ,by 1966, "bohemian" was long since gone; from "Beat" to Beatles; times change, and these producer's musical tastes didn't. It was, I'll bet, older adults that thought they were "hip"; and clearly weren't. Ask anyone who was my age back then; they'll tell you the same thing. Hollywood did a terrible job with contemporary music. The Judge seems to be part of the "Loudest Pencil Club" rather than use a gavel.
Cool stuff; Paul and Perry show up in a sweet T-Bird, Aaron (the forensics guy) Had a great leather car coat, Della was beautiful, The murder weapon was a Colt Woodsman; great for hunting small game and targets, I owned one myself, long ago. Baylor's kid, Howard, drives a girlie Mustang. Perry tells Baylor where he can put his retainer. Richard Devon plays Baylor's Fixer and lobbyist; usually he plays gangsters, or general purpose bad guys (R.I.P., Mr,Devon). Paul and Perry used hacksaws to cut off a metal pipe stanchion; I'd love to see them do THAT for real. Good acting, pretty girls, Mason wins, and gets the bad guy. Fishing season is over, Della gets the last word, it's good.
"They're going to put you UNDER the jail!"
coolplanter5 October 2021
Perry & Paul are trying to get some fishing in, but stop at a wealthy client, Dick, in little town of Scarlet, learning Dick's wife has been murdered--and the victim of blackmail. The opening line by Reporter 1 is some case prophetic, as "Maybe Bayler called Perry to help the prosecutor." There are some interesting twists as Cynthia, National Champion Pistol shooter is then the defendant, in Elaine Bayler's murder--firing two .22 shots inches apart through the windshield. If you lost your girlfriend to a musician, you'll like the episode, as apparently, no one had any kind words to say about Don Hobart. I liked it--and I was a musician.
What happened
notenough-8198811 March 2020
Does Perry ever enjoy a vacation?!?
cinamac32 March 2024
This particular episode started with Perry Mason and the ever-ubiquitous Paul Drake taking some well deserved time off, as they embark on a fishing trip, some good distance from Los Angeles...on their way, they must make a pit stop at the estate of Mason's client, Richard Bayler, a very influential and wealthy, but nasty, businessman. Upon their arrival, they learn that the ill tempered and demanding magnate's wife, Elaine, a patron of the arts, was murdered the previous evening and suspicions soon point to outsider musician, Don Hobart, the recipient of her financial aid and support. It becomes quite evident that Mr. Bayler owns the small town and a majority of its residents(with exception of Don and his girlfriend, Cynthia Perkins), so when the Sheriff's office, the media(notably, the newspaper which Mr. Bayler owns), and the townsfolk turn against the accused, Perry fears mob justice! Eventually, the charges are dropped against Mr. Hobart and he is released, but they then take Cynthia, an expert marksman, into police custody. Perry gallantly postpones his vacation and agrees to handle her case. Of course, Perry is able to clear the Defendant and is finally preparing for his well earned date with a rod and reel, when Della informs that the fishing season has officially ended! I did wonder why Paul seemed so eager to dissuade Della, when it appeared that she wanted to glom onto their trip...did he think that she would bellyache and moan about having to bait her hook, the smell of the slimy fish and/or the rocking of the boat?!? Personally, I think she would've been fun to have along, but maybe Paul just wanted some guy time with his bro, Perry!
Ridiculouser and Ridiculouser...
pmike-1131231 May 2022
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