The Perry Mason TV Series

Ranked #3,464 in Entertainment, #38,198 overall

America's Favorite Television Attorney

Perry Mason, the most successful and longest-running lawyer series on television debuted on September 21, 1957. The Case of the Restless Redhead was based on a 1954 novel by the show's creator, Erle Stanley Gardner. The premiere episode, starring Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, William Hopper, William Talman, and Ray Collins, introduced an unforgettable cast of characters to millions of viewers. The show aired from 1957 to 1966, and was revived by more than two dozen made-for-TV movies from 1985 to 1993. Perry Mason fans include countless lawyers and judges who admit they were so inspired by the series that they chose to enter the legal profession. Erle Stanley Gardner practiced law himself for more than twenty years in California, and his knowledge was instrumental in creating numerous Perry Mason stories and teleplays.

Perry Mason

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The Case of the Angry Mourner

Sylvia Field and Raymond Burr

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Perry Mason: The Series That Almost Wasn't

Erle Stanley Gardner's Tenacity Pays Off

In 1923, lawyer and fledgling writer Erle Stanley Gardner submitted one of his novels to a popular pulp magazine. It was so awful that the magazine's staff turned it in to the circulation director as a joke. The pranksters laid it on thick and proposed the novel as a featured story worthy of a special publicity campaign. Thinking his staff had gone mad, the circulation director bounced the story back with a scathing memo, ripping Gardner's novel to pieces. One of his kinder comments read: this plot has whiskers like Spanish moss. After the laughs, Gardner's novel was mailed back, accompanied by the customary boiler-plate rejection letter. In a twist of fate, the circulation director's note was included by mistake, confronting Gardner with the brutal truth. Many writers might have thrown in the towel at this point, but Gardner rose to the challenge. He reworked the story until his fingers were literally bleeding, and sent it back. Impressed that Gardner had taken the criticism to heart, the magazine bought the story, thus launching the writing career of the author who would go on to create the most memorable attorney in crime fiction history.

Who is Erle Stanley Gardner?

Learn More About Perry Mason Creator Erle Stanley Gardner

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Perry Mason and His Girl Friday, Della Street

Raymond Burr and the Lovely Barbara Hale

It's hard to imagine anyone other than Raymond Burr as Perry Mason. And who besides Barbara Hale could fill the shoes of his faithful secretary, Della Street? Yet ironically, neither actor was the first choice for these career-defining roles. Popular character actor Fred MacMurray was originally tapped as Perry Mason, but eventually turned it down. Erle Stanley Gardner offered the role of Miss Street to the show's executive producer, Gail Patrick Jackson. She declined, but hand-picked Barbara Hale for the role based on a screen test audition. Raymond Burr was initially considered for the role of Hamilton Burger, but made a deal with producers to audition for the Perry Mason role as well. On the day of the audition, Erle Stanley Gardner was so impressed with Raymond Burr's portrayal of the fictional lawyer, he jumped to his feet in excitement—he had found his Perry Mason!

Who is Raymond Burr?

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Detective Paul Drake

William Hopper

Handsome William Hopper came to the attention of Perry Mason producers when he, along with scores of other actors, auditioned for the title role. When Raymond Burr was selected as Perry Mason, the role of Detective Paul Drake was given to Hopper. He later admitted he would probably not have done justice to the demanding role, and agreed with everyone else that Raymond Burr was a perfect choice for the celebrated attorney. But just as Raymond Burr defined the role of Perry Mason, William Hopper will always be remembered as Paul Drake.

District Attorney Hamilton Burger

William Talman

The New York Times referred to his character as "the built-in loser," but in real life William Talman was an accomplished director and screenwriter. He also enjoyed a successful career as a stage, film, and television actor before he went on to portray hot-tempered L.A. District Attorney Hamilton Burger. Erle Stanley Gardner based his volatile Burger character on the often embittered D.A.s who annoyed him as a young lawyer. In the television series William Talman portrayed Mason's adversary as a likeable character. This pleased Gardner so much that he once remarked, "Bill Talman is really a wonder. He actually looks as if he expects to win a case." Although William Talman and Raymond Burr played rivals on the show, they were close friends behind the scenes. When William Talman was fired from the show in 1960, Raymond Burr campaigned tirelessly and sucessfully for his friend's reinstatement.

Lieutenant Arthur Tragg

Ray Collins

Ray Collins had more than 50 movies under his belt when he joined the cast as the hard-working, resolute Lieutenant Tragg. Generous with his experience and knowledge, he was known to purposely blow his lines just to help a struggling young actor feel more at ease during big scenes. Viewers could always count on Tragg showing up like clockwork at crime scenes, as well as regularly threatening to have Perry disbarred. Collins played Lieutenant Tragg for six years, until he became very ill with a lung condition in 1964. He died of emphysema the following year at age 75.

Perry Mason 50th Anniversary Edition 

The Perry Mason Character

A Few Facts Courtesy of Wikipedia

Perry Mason is a fictional character, a defense attorney who originally was the main character in numerous pieces of detective fiction authored by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason was featured in over 80 novels and short stories, most of which had a story line which involved a client of his being put on trial for murder. Typically, Mason was able to establish his client's innocence by demonstrating the guilt of another character. Gardner was one of the best-selling authors of all time, and had 135 million copies of his books in print in America alone in the year of his death (1969). The character of Perry Mason was portrayed each weekday on a long running radio series, followed by the well-known depictions on film and television, including "television's most successful and longest-running lawyer series" from 1957 to 1966, another series in 1973-1974, and more than 25 made-for-TV movies from 1985 to 1993.

Perry Mason

Celebrating 50 Years of Perry Mason

Perry Mason 50th Anniversary Edition DVD Set

Perry Mason (50th Anniversary Edition)

Amazon Price: $14.03 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

Product Description: Perry Mason fans won't want to miss this 4-DVD set featuring 12 exciting episodes, each introduced by Barbara Hale. Guest stars include Robert Redford, Barbara Bain, Leonard Nimoy, James Coburn, Bette Davis, and Adam West. The set features never-before-seen items including Raymond Burr's original screen tests, archived CBS news footage, cast interviews and a photo gallery.

Perry Mason Opening Credits

There were actually five different Perry Mason opening credit styles featuring Fred Steiner's haunting theme music. The opening credits shown below were created especially for The Case of the Twice-Told Twist, the only original episode to air in color.
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Perry Mason Theme MP3 Downloads

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Perry Mason Original Series on DVD

The Complete Perry Mason Episodes ... Uncut!

I have most of these episodes recorded on tape, but they're crudely edited and many are missing critical scenes. Don't even get me started about the tacky late-night 900-number commercials! These DVD sets are mastered from the original film elements and are complete 52-minute versions in glorious black and white. It often puzzled me why some of the episodes didn't make sense. I've watched each of these Perry Mason DVDs as they've been released, and have discovered several scenes for the very first time. They were ruthlessly cut from the original shows to accommodate too many commercials. Once you see the uncut episodes, you'll never go back to the inferior, botched versions!

Perry Mason Season 1, Volume 1 

Perry Mason ~ Season One, Volume One

Perry Mason Season One, Volume One Episode List

Perry Mason: Season One, Vol. 1

Amazon Price: $13.50 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Restless Redhead, The Case of the Sleepwalker's Niece, The Case of the Nervous Accomplice, The Case of the Drowning Duck, The Case of the Sulky Girl, The Case of the Silent Partner, The Case of the Angry Mourner, The Case of the Crimson Kiss, The Case of the Vagabond Vixen, The Case of the Runaway Corpse, The Case of the Crooked Candle, The Case of the Negligent Nymph, The Case of the Moth-Eaten Mink, The Case of the Baited Hook, The Case of the Fan Dancer's Horse, The Case of the Demure Defendant, The Case of the Sun Bather's Diary, The Case of the Cautious Coquette, The Case of the Haunted Husband.

Perry Mason Season 1, Volume 2 

Perry Mason ~ Season One, Volume Two

Perry Mason Season One, Volume Two Episode List

Perry Mason: Season One, Vol. 2

Amazon Price: $14.84 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Lonely Heiress, The Case of the Green-Eyed Sister, The Case of the Fugitive Nurse, The Case of the One-Eyed Witness, The Case of the Deadly Double, The Case of the Empty Tin, The Case of the Half-Wakened Wife, The Case of the Desperate Daughter, The Case of the Daring Decoy, The Case of the Hesitant Hostess, The Case of the Screaming Woman, The Case of the Fiery Fingers, The Case of the Substitute Face, The Case of the Long-Legged Models, The Case of the Gilded Lily, The Case of the Lazy Lover, The Case of the Prodigal Parent, The Case of the Black-Eyed Blonde, The Case of the Terrified Typist, The Case of the Rolling Bones.

Perry Mason Season One on DVD

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Perry Mason Season 2, Volume 1 

Perry Mason ~ Season Two, Volume One

Perry Mason Season Two, Volume One Episode List

Perry Mason - Season Two, Vol. 1

Amazon Price: $14.92 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Corresponding Corpse, The Case of the Lucky Loser, The Case of the Pint-Sized Client, The Case of the Sardonic Sergeant, The Case of the Curious Bride, The Case of the Buried Clock, The Case of the Married Moonlighter, The Case of the Jilted Jockey, The Case of the Purple Woman, The Case of the Fancy Figures, The Case of the Perjured Parrot, The Case of the Shattered Dream, The Case of the Borrowed Brunette, The Case of the Glittering Goldfish, The Case of the Footloose Doll.

Perry Mason Season 2, Volume 2 

Perry Mason ~ Season Two, Volume Two

Perry Mason Season Two, Volume Two Episode List

Perry Mason: Season Two, Vol. 2

Amazon Price: $13.50 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Fraudulent Foto, The Case of the Romantic Rogue, The Case of the Jaded Joker, The Case of the Caretaker's Cat, The Case of the Stuttering Bishop, The Case of the Lost Last Act, The Case of the Bedeviled Doctor, The Case of the Howling Dog, The Case of the Calendar Girl, The Case of the Petulant Partner, The Case of the Dangerous Dowager, The Case of the Deadly Toy, The Case of the Spanish Cross, The Case of the Dubious Bridegroom, The Case of the Lame Canary.

Perry Mason Season Two on DVD

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Perry Mason Season 3, Volume 1 

Perry Mason ~ Season Three, Volume One

Perry Mason Season Three, Volume One Episode List

Perry Mason: Season Three, Vol. 1

Amazon Price: $25.92 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Spurious Sister, The Case of the Watery Witness, The Case of the Garrulous Gambler, The Case of the Blushing Pearls, The Case of the Startled Stallion, The Case of Paul Drake's Dilemma, The Case of the Golden Fraud, The Case of the Bartered Bikini, The Case of the Artful Dodger, The Case of the Lucky Legs, The Case of the Violent Village, The Case of the Frantic Flyer.

Perry Mason Season 3, Volume 2 

Perry Mason ~ Season Three, Volume Two

Perry Mason Season Three, Volume Two Episode List

Perry Mason: Season Three, Vol. 2

Amazon Price: $15.57 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Wayward Wife, The Case of the Prudent Prosecutor, The Case of the Gallant Grafter, The Case of the Wary Wildcatter, The Case of the Mythical Monkeys, The Case of the Singing Skirt, The Case of the Bashful Burro, The Case of the Crying Cherub, The Case of the Nimble Nephew, The Case of the Madcap Modiste, The Case of the Slandered Submarine, The Case of the Ominous Outcast, The Case of the Irate Inventor, The Case of the Flighty Father.

Perry Mason Season Three on DVD

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Perry Mason Season 4, Volume 1 

Perry Mason ~ Season Four, Volume One

Perry Mason Season Four, Volume One Episode List

Perry Mason: Season Four, Vol. 1

Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Treacherous Toupee, The Case of the Credulous Quarry, The Case of the Ill-Fated Faker, The Case of the Singular Double, The Case of the Lavender Lipstick, The Case of the Wandering Widow, The Case of the Clumsy Clown, The Case of the Provocative Protege, The Case of the Nine Dolls, The Case of the Loquacious Liar, The Case of the Red Riding Boots, The Case of the Larcenous Lady, The Case of the Envious Editor, The Case of the Resolute Reformer, The Case of the Fickle Fortune, The Case of the Waylaid Wolf.

Perry Mason Season 4, Volume 2 

Perry Mason ~ Season Four, Volume Two

Perry Mason Season Four, Volume Two Episode List

Perry Mason: Season Four, Vol. 2

Amazon Price: $27.15 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Wintry Wife, The Case of the Angry Dead Man, The Case of the Blind Man's Bluff, The Case of the Barefaced Witness, The Case of the Difficult Detour, The Case of the Cowardly Lion, The Case of the Torrid Tapestry, The Case of the Violent Vest, The Case of the Misguided Missile, The Case of the Duplicate Daughter, The Case of the Grumbling Grandfather, The Case of the Guilty Clients.

Perry Mason Season Four on DVD

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Perry Mason Season 5, Volume 1 

Perry Mason ~ Season Five, Volume One

Perry Mason Season Five, Volume One Episode List

Perry Mason: Season Five, Vol. 1

Amazon Price: $27.13 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Jealous Journalist, The Case of the Impatient Partner, The Case of the Missing Melody, The Case of the Malicious Mariner, The Case of the Crying Comedian, The Case of the Meddling Medium, The Case of the Pathetic Patient, The Case of the Traveling Treasure, The Case of the Posthumous Painter, The Case of the Injured Innocent, The Case of the Left-handed Liar, The Case of the Brazen Bequest, The Case of the Renegade Refugee, The Case of the Unwelcome Bride, The Case of the Roving River.

Perry Mason Season 5, Volume 2 

Perry Mason ~ Season Five, Volume Two

Perry Mason Season Five, Volume Two Episode List

Perry Mason: Season Five, Vol. 2

Amazon Price: $32.40 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Shapely Shadow, The Case of the Captain's Coins, The Case of the Tarnished Trademark, The Case of the Glamorous Ghost, The Case of the Poison Pen Pal, The Case of the Mystified Miner, The Case of the Crippled Cougar, The Case of the Absent Artist, The Case of the Melancholy Marksman, The Case of the Angry Astronaut, The Case of the Borrowed Baby, The Case of the Counterfeit Crank, The Case Of the Ancient Romeo, The Case of the Promoter's Pillbox, The Case of the Lonely Eloper.

Perry Mason Season Five on DVD

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Perry Mason Season 6, Volume 1 

Perry Mason ~ Season Six, Volume One

Perry Mason Season Six, Volume One Episode List

Perry Mason: Season Six, Vol. 1

Amazon Price: $31.00 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Bogus Books, The Case of the Capricious Corpse, The Case of the Playboy Pugilist, The Case of the Double-entry Mind, The Case of the Hateful Hero, The Case of the Dodging Domino, The Case of the Unsuitable Uncle, The Case of the Stand-in Sister, The Case of the Weary Watchdog, The Case of the Lurid Letter, The Case of the Fickle Filly, The Case of the Polka-dot Pony, The Case of the Shoplifter's Shoe, The Case of the Bluffing Blast.

Release Date: 10/04/2011

Perry Mason Season 6, Volume 2 

Perry Mason ~ Season Six, Volume Two

Perry Mason Season Six, Volume Two Episode List

Perry Mason: Season Six, Vol. 2

Amazon Price: $31.99 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

The Case of the Prankish Professor, The Case of Constant Doyle, The Case of the Libelous Locket, The Case of the Two-faced Turnabout, The Case of the Surplus Suitor, The Case of the Golden Oranges, The Case of the Lawful Lazarus, The Case of the Velvet Claws, The Case of the Lover's Leap, The Case of the Elusive Element, The Case of the Greek Goddess, The Case of the Skeleton's Closet, The Case of the Potted Planter, The Case of the Witless Witness.

Release Date: 11/22/2011

Perry Mason Season Six on DVD

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The Case of the Fiery Fingers

Ray Collins and Raymond Burr

Perry Mason in the News

The Latest News Headlines About Perry Mason

Perry Mason
Prof nominated for Edgar Allan Poe Award
?My mom introduced me to Agatha Christie novels when I was a kid and as a teenager my dad introduced me to Perry Mason, the old TV re-runs,? said Philippa Gates, associate film professor at Wilfrid Laurier, in an interview with The Cord.
Spilled Milk: Crossing the Big Black Line
"Maybe you could be a lawyer like Perry Mason on TV." "Then what about a cowboy? Or an astronaut, like Jimmy? She lost control of the car and nearly smashed into a telephone pole. I wasn't sure what exactly I'd said, but one thing I knew: I'd crossed a ...
Ducks Trump Blue Jackets
Only 46 seconds into the game, Ducks defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky took a shot that planted itself in the ribs of Tyutin before dropping into the slot for Perry. Mason lost track of the puck, looking behind him as Perry gathered it on the left side of ...
Murder Proposes, Perry Disposes: 'Perry Mason: Season Six'
By Michael Barrett 25 January 2012 Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) continues his activities as the world's greatest criminal defense lawyer, someone who gets his clients cleared in pre-trial hearings as the real killers cry out their culpability (no one ...

Perry Mason Photographs

Choose From B&W or Color Perry Mason Photographs

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Perry Mason ... Framed!

Shop for Perry Mason Photographs

Nice Gift Idea for a Perry Mason Fan

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The Perry Mason TV Show Book

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Perry Mason TV Show Book

The Perry Mason Television Series

Learn More About Everyone's Favorite TV Attorney

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Favorite Perry Mason Episodes on DVD 

Perry Mason DVDs

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Perry Mason

Perry Mason on KPTV Portland

KPTV Began Airing Reruns of Perry Mason in 1966

Portland television station KPTV began airing reruns of Perry Mason on weekday evenings in 1966. In 1970, the show was moved to weekdays at noon. With the exception of a time change to 12:30 pm for several months in 1974-75, KPTV has aired Perry Mason in the noon time slot ever since. When KPTV's new general manager Patrick McCreery came on board in 2008, upper management told him he could make changes to the programming schedule, with one exception—he could not cancel Perry Mason, nor could he move it from its present weekday noon time slot.

Perry Popular in Portland

According to Wikipedia, one out of every 11 people watching television
in the Portland market at noon on weekdays is watching Perry Mason.

Perry Mason on DVD

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Perry Mason Cast & Crew (in progress)

Full Cast Credits and Key Production Staff

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The Defense Rests

Are You a Fan of Television's Most Popular Attorney?

Perry Mason


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The Perry Mason TV Series

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The Perry Mason TV Series was created by Kim Giancaterino on March 15, 2007. This Squidoo page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

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Murder is usually very simple. It's the getting away with it that's real complicated and tricky.
~ Perry Mason

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Perry Mason 

50th Anniversary Edition

Perry Mason (50th Anniversary Edition)

Amazon Price: $14.03 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

Perry Mason 

TV Milestones Series

Perry Mason (TV Milestones)

Amazon Price: $14.94 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now

Perry Mason: Five Season Pack 

Boxed DVD Set

Perry Mason: Five Season Pack

Amazon Price: $201.71 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now