The Case of the Badgered Brother

Not the worst episode to watch, as the killer is in early scenes (which I prefer), but until Perry reveals surprise facts to viewer in the closing courtroom scenes, you're pretty much clueless as to what's happened--and you could anticipate there being a conflict with the brothers, and Peter Walker's single Perry Mason episode has him well cast with the "Badgered Brother," as they do appear to be brothers. Everyone seems to have a motive, and this has the viewer thinking that certain "secret marriages" needed to be written in late, or that having one main actress check on another ("she's asleep"), as that only and the writer and producer agreed on who the murderer would be in the end. Ask yourself, what was really involved in the writing of this episode so that this actor could confess? Watch it for the "eye-candy" at the fashion shows, and Paul Drake's behavior--but not to learn too much about retail business.

When the owner of several high end clothing stores decides, in his will, to give the bulk of his estate to the conniving brother, with hopes of "reforming" the other, it sets in motion a series of nasty events. The brother who already has more than he could ever hope for realizes this, he goes ballistic and decides he will destroy the supposed prodigal son. There is a secret we don't get until the conclusion. In the mix is a fashion designer who has been on the bottle for some time, ruining his career. He also becomes a victim. I agree with the reviewer who said how a bad ending can all but ruin a good story.

This mystery has its moments with the victim getting a large pair of scissors shoved into his back. Robert Bloch, yes, but he didn't write it. Would have put money on it.

Best described as a story about big business at its nasty best. The owner of several top clothing stores leaves a large chunk of his company to his good for nothing son, provided he make something of the business in the year ahead. While it doesn't seem too fair to the rival "good son," business is business, money is money. That's the way it goes, and for that matter always will.

Here's the delicious kicker; bad son Todd (Robert Harland) goes along with the plan while good soon Martin (Peter Walker) would like to stick a knife in his back after all his years of sacrifice and dedication. Instead -- Martin gets a LARGE, new pair of fabric scissors in his back! Someone has a delightful sense of humor. If you're still thinking Robert Bloch, nope, sorry.

Only debit; considering the plush Hollywood fashions, this episode would have rocked if it were in color. The wardrobe folks did a splendid job shopping for high end clothes. And check out the cast of lovely ladies, or suspects; Patricia Blair (soon to co star on DANIEL BOONE), Patrice Wymore, widow of Errol Flynn, and Nancy Kovack -- all with an attitudes and platitudes.

Homicidal soap opera, not Hitchcock either, but just as entertaining. It sure caught me by surprise. Look for LQ Jones in an early role, soon to graduate to shifty characters. Tag it show prep 101.

Tops for SEASON 7 EPISODE 12. Volumes 1 and 2 CBS dvd box sets. The entire series is on dvd in a mega box set. Thanks METV for running these oldies twice daily. We're addicted.

Robert Harland is one of those battling Baylor brothers who is Perry Mason's client in this episode. Harland and his brother Peter Walker are the heirs of the Baylor Department store although control is in Walker's hands. And he's got a few schemes out there to force his brother out of the business.

These two are from Cain and Abel school of brotherhood and its Harland who is charged when Walker is stabbed to death with some scissors. As usual there are a host of alternatives as Walker was a rather ruthless character in his business and personal life.

I will say this I hope the real murderer either gets Raymond Burr as ab attorney or one as good. The victim here is a real snake.

If you are a person that enjoys a nice mystery and enjoys seeing Perry makes someone confess without the slightest bit of evidence then I am sure that you will like this episode. However, if you enjoy finding solutions to mysteries then this episode is lacking in every way. I found this episode lacking.

There was nothing wrong with the plot as two brothers, one a wild child (Todd) and the other a parent's dream (Martin), is present to hear the reading of their father's will. Their father owned a series of dress stores which Martin was running as Todd was carousing around Europe. Martin was sure to inherit the dress stores since Todd had turned his back on the business many years ago.

But when the will was read, the father left a provision where if Todd could run one store and increase the profits then he would be half owner of the entire business. This did not set to well with loyal Martin.

As Martin is trying to make Todd fail, Todd seeks out his brother to have words. After being let into the business by a security guard, Todd rushes up to Martin's office followed closely by the guard. Todd enters and starts yelling as the guard comes into the office only to see both men falling with scissors sticking out of Martin's back. A nice open and shut case for Lt Anderson. That is until Perry arrives on the scene to defend Todd of the charges.

Everything is fine until that part before the episode enters the world of the strange and bizarre. During the court scenes it was like watching an ending to a different episode. By the end we have had three people confess to the crime in open court. Not only that we have Perry getting the true murderer to confess without a shred of evidence to point to guilt. It was a sad ending to otherwise good show.