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Perry Mason

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Perry Mason
Perry Mason-Cast.jpg
Premiere series
September 21, 1957
TV movies
December 1, 1985
Finale series
May 22, 1966
TV movies
April 10, 1995
Airs Weekdays at 9 AM & 11:30 PM on MeTV
Based on characters created by
Erle Stanley Gardner
Network/Provider CBS
NBC (television movies)
Style 60-minute legal drama
Company Paisano Productions,
CBS
Distributor CBS Films/Enterprises (1966–1971)
Viacom Enterprises (1971–1995)
Paramount Domestic Television (1995–2006)
CBS Paramount Television (2006–2007)
CBS Television Distribution (2007–2021)
CBS Media Ventures (2021– )
Seasons 9
Episodes 271 + 30 TV movies
Origin USA

Perry Mason is a legal drama that aired on CBS.

Perry Mason is a distinguished criminal defense lawyer practicing in Los Angeles, California. Perry Mason records his cases, most of which include a murder trial. Each episode typically follows a formula. The first half of the show introduces a prospective murder victim and a situation that presents a legal danger to someone Mason accepts as a client. The body is found, often through circumstance by Mason and private investigator Paul Drake, or with his secretary Della Street. Clues point to Mason's client, who is charged with murder. In the second-half courtroom setting, Mason spars most often with his legal adversary Hamilton Burger, Los Angeles district attorney, and police homicide detective Lt. Arthur Tragg. Mason establishes his client's innocence by dramatically demonstrating the guilt of another character. The murderer often breaks down and confesses to the crime in the courtroom. In the closing scene, the characters gather together to discuss how the case was solved.

In many episodes, the identity of the guilty party is uncovered without an actual trial being held. Instead, this occurs at the preliminary hearing stage, in which the district attorney is required to produce just enough evidence to convince the judge that the defendant should be bound over for trial. During this stage, other malefactors — such as blackmailers, frauds and forgers — are frequently forced into confessions by Mason's relentless and clever questioning, and the killer is exposed.

Contents

Cast

Actor Character Duration
Main Cast 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Raymond Burr Perry Mason * * * * * * * * *
Barbara Hale Della Street * * * * * * * * *
William Hopper Paul Drake * * * * * * * * *
William Talman D.A. Hamilton Burger * * * * * * * * *
Ray Collins Lt. Arthur Tragg * * * * * * * *
Supporting/Recurring Cast 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Connie Cezon Gertrude "Gertie" Lade * * * *
Lee Miller Sergeant Brice * * * * * * * *
Wesley Lau Lt. Andy Anderson * * * *
Richard Anderson Lt. Steve Drumm *
Dan Tobin Terrence Clay *

Seasons

Season  Premiere Finale #
CBS
Season One September 21, 1957 June 28, 1958 39
Season Two September 20, 1958 June 27, 1959 30
Season Three October 3, 1959 June 11, 1960 26
Season Four September 17, 1960 June 10, 1961 28
Season Five September 2, 1961 May 26, 1962 30
Season Six September 27, 1962 May 16, 1963 28
Season Seven September 26, 1963 May 21, 1964 30
Season Eight September 24, 1964 May 13, 1965 30
Season Nine September 12, 1965 May 22, 1966 30

TV Movies

Title Airdate
NBC
Perry Mason Returns December 1, 1985
The Case of the Notorious Nun May 25, 1986
The Case of the Shooting Star November 9, 1986
The Case of the Lost Love February 23, 1987
The Case of the Sinister Spirit May 24, 1987
The Case of the Murdered Madam October 4, 1987
The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel November 15, 1987
The Case of the Avenging Ace February 28, 1988
The Case of the Lady in the Lake May 15, 1988
The Case of the Lethal Lesson February 12, 1989
The Case of the Musical Murder April 9, 1989
The Case of the All-Star Assassin November 19, 1989
The Case of the Poisoned Pen January 21, 1990
The Case of the Desperate Deception March 11, 1990
The Case of the Silenced Singer May 20, 1990
The Case of the Defiant Daughter September 30, 1990
The Case of the Ruthless Reporter January 6, 1991
The Case of the Maligned Mobster February 11, 1991
The Case of the Glass Coffin May 14, 1991
The Case of the Fatal Fashion September 24, 1991
The Case of the Fatal Framing March 1, 1992
The Case of the Reckless Romeo May 5, 1992
The Case of the Heartbroken Bride October 30, 1992
The Case of the Skin-Deep Scandal February 19, 1993
The Case of the Telltale Talk Show Host May 21, 1993
The Case of the Killer Kiss November 29, 1993
The Case of the Wicked Wives December 17, 1993
The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle May 10, 1994
The Case of the Grimacing Governor November 9, 1994
The Case of the Jealous Jokester April 10, 1995

In-Depth

DVD Releases

Title Release Discs
Season Sets  (Region 1)
Season 1, Volume 1 July 11, 2006 purchase 5
Season 1, Volume 2 November 21, 2006 purchase 5
Season 2, Volume 1 June 19, 2007 purchase 5
Season 2, Volume 2 November 13, 2007 purchase 5
Season 3, Volume 1 August 19, 2008 purchase 3
Season 3, Volume 2 December 2, 2008 purchase 3
Season 4, Volume 1 June 9, 2009 purchase 3
Season 4, Volume 2 December 8, 2009 purchase 3
Season 5, Volume 1 April 20, 2010 purchase 3
Season 5, Volume 2 November 16, 2010 purchase 4
Season 6, Volume 1 October 4, 2011 purchase 4
Season 6, Volume 2 November 22, 2011 purchase 4
Episode Collections  (Region 1)
50th Anniversary Edition April 8, 2008 purchase 4

External Sites