The Perry Mason TV Show Book: The Complete Story of America's Favorite Television Lawyer, by Two of the Greatest Fans

The Perry Mason TV Show Book: The Complete Story of America's Favorite Television Lawyer, by Two of the Greatest Fans
Manufacturer: St Martins Pr
Average Customer Rating: Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 791.4572
EAN: 9780312006693
ISBN: 0312006691
Label: St Martins Pr
Manufacturer: St Martins Pr
Number Of Pages: 201
Publication Date: 1987-12
Publisher: St Martins Pr
Studio: St Martins Pr
Related Items
Editorial Reviews:
Discusses the creation, production, characters, and 275 episodes of the mystery show featuring the popular fictitious lawyer.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: A "Perry Mason" Reference Book
Comment: This book has not been authorized or endorsed by the owners of the "Perry Mason" television series or the works of Erle Stanley Gardner. The authors are loving fans of the series. This book has no index. Chapter 1 is about Erle Stanley Gardner who created "Perry Mason" and sold hundreds of millions of books (p.2). Gardner was a practicing lawyer and this added authenticity to "Perry Mason". The first two books were published in 1933 and were turned into a series (p.3). [Were they rewritten versions of earlier novels?] Gardner never described "Perry Mason" in print, this was left to the reader's imagination (p.4). Gardner never put dates in his novels to keep them fresh, but the prices date the novels. [$10,000 was a lot of money in those days, as in "The Maltese Falcon".] "Perry Mason" was a lawyer who fought for human rights and for his clients (p.6). "I defend the accused, the jury says who is guilty." Perry was derived from Gardner's own experiences.

Chapter 2 has the history of filmed "Perry Mason" stories. Hollywood made too many changes for Gardner's tastes (p.8). Gardner kept total control of the TV show. A tobacco sponsor led to lots of smoking (p.15). High quality led to high costs of production. Perry's cases were Preliminary Hearings to avoid the cost of extra actors in a jury. The show concentrated on looking for clues to solve the case, not on action (classical restraint?). The solution was always a surprise (p.16). [Like the Sherlock Holmes stories Gardner admired.] It was a predictable formula but the audiences loved it (p.17). The show had many actors who would become more famous (p.18). Lawyers criticized the show as unrealistic and conditioning real jurors (p.22). The last season had shows that were different (p.24).

Chapter 3 described the life of actor Raymond Burr. He was most famous as "Perry Mason". Chapter 4 is about Barbara Hale (who always seems most happy in the series). She was the perfect supporting actress. Chapter 5 tells about William Hopper (his parents were actors). His "Paul Drake" had many parts to play. He was the perfect detective to the perfect lawyer. William Talman is described in Chapter 6. He had many problems in his personal life, and came from a wealthy family (p.67). Talman had the support of the cast and Erle Stanley Gardner (p.72). Ray Collins was the most experienced of the cast (p.75). Chapter 8 discusses the newer TV-movies which had a less hectic schedule (p.81). This 1987 book covers the ones from 1985 to until 1987.

The 'Episode Guide' provides the summaries and credits for all 271 episodes. [Not all the people named in the credits are listed here.] The episodes taken from Gardner's novels are identified. The 'Bibliography' lists the publications and books used for this work. Dorothy B. Hughes wrote the only biography of Gardner. [Visit perrymasontvshowbook_com.]

Customer Rating: Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5
Summary: Wished for more
Comment: Overall ok, but not "The complete story.." as the book describes itself. Plot descriptions are inconsistent. Cast listings are meager. There were great character actors throughout but many are not listed. Overpriced; get it at your local library if they have it.
Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: A MUST READ FOR PERRY MASON FANS
Comment: This is a great informational book for the Perry Mason TV series fan. Detailed info on all episodes including the TV Movies.

I hope the author or publisher reprints this. It is almost impossible to find, but highly sought by all Perry Mason fans! Perry Mason fans want a reprint of this popular book!!!
Buy it now at Amazon.com!

[Return to Store Front]