Raymond Burr did not appear in four consecutive episodes in the 1962-63 season and was missing in two more during the 1964-65 season. (Note that some of these episodes included brief scenes of Perry talking with other lawyers from his hospital bed—scenes that Burr filmed before his hiatus.) The reason given for his first absence was “minor surgery.” Some sources, such as Raymond Burr: A Film, Radio, and Television Biography, state that the surgery was to remove intestinal polyps. Other sources (e.g., Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows) maintain that this explanation has never been confirmed. Burr’s absences during the 1964-65 season were attributed to infected teeth (according to Associated Press columnist Cynthia Lowry) and an unspecified illness. Fatigue may have played a role as well, since Burr averaged almost 30 episodes during each of the show’s nine years. A full season order these days for a prime time series is 24 episodes.
Here are the six Perry Mason episodes without Raymond Burr:
Bette Davis visits a client. |
The Case of the Libelous Locket (S6 E17) – Law school professor Edward Lindley (Michael Rennie) takes on the case of student Janie Norland (Patricia Manning), who thinks she killed someone, gets blackmailed, and then is arrested for a real murder. Professor Lindley’s attitude toward trial attorneys must have amused Perry: “Someone once said, if you could cross a parrot with a jackass, you’d have the perfect trial lawyer.” This episode also guest-starred Patrice Wymore, Errol Flynn’s widow.
Hugh O'Brian knew about the law... from his days as TV's Wyatt Earp. |
The Case of the Surplus Suitor (S6 E19) – Corporate lawyer Sherman Hatfield (Walter Pidgeon) defends an indecisive young woman (Joyce Bulifant), who is accused of murdering her wealthy uncle. Alas, this subpar outing wastes Pidgeon’s talents.
Mike Connors a few years later as Mannix. |
The Case of the Thermal Thief (S8 E16) - Only recently returning to law practice, Ken Kramer (Barry Sullivan) gets involved in a complex case involving a stolen necklace and the death of a wealthy yachtsman four years earlier. Sullivan does a fine job in an above-average episode—he should have gotten his own lawyer show! It’s interesting to note that Kramer doesn't get a courtroom confession at the episode’s climax; it takes place offscreen.
What an awesome post! I love "Perry Mason" and remember most of these Perry-less or -lite episodes. I recall being especially surprised to see Bette Davis. She spoke with Perry on the phone and would not accept any advice from him.
ReplyDeleteI love that MeTV is rebroadcasting "Perry Mason" twice daily. I often revisit it in the morning.
Actually more than twice, like 3 times. Trying to catch the ones where he lost.
DeleteOh yeah, can we bring back Ironside?
DeleteI love Perry/Raymond, but these guest star lawyers make for a nice change of pace. Burr's absence was handled very well.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is Barry Sullivan. He's so damned watchable.
I can see Michael Rennie and Walter Pidgeon as Perry, but the others don't seem right. Of course, I don't think anyone can replace Raymond Burr. Warren Williams did pretty well in the 30's, but Raymond is #1. (I can see why a star would not want to admit to intestinal polyps -- not a very dignified illness. Today everybody admits every kind of illness -- no dignity anymore! LOL!)
ReplyDeleteI too still enjoy watching Perry Mason beat Hamilton,I often find myself yelling at the t.v. sit down and pay attention so Perry can solve the case!😊
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat quality and "Perry Mason" stands the test of time. The chemistry between Raymond Burr's Perry and Barbara Hale's "Della" is a classic understated--leave 'em guessing love story.
ReplyDelete