The Case of the Devious Delinquent

Robb White, who wrote legendary HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL for producer William Castle, always found work on tv, often writing for this show. The later episodes often had a 77 SUNSET STRIP feel, a clever move to attract a younger audience.

Perry has a street kid for a client, an orphan, now being raised by his grandfather (Otto Kruger), who isn't his biggest fan. Sure enough, Tim (Johnny Washbrook) hooks up with the wrong crowd, forced to drive the getaway car in a robbery. His "pal" Chick (David Winters) needs some cash -- knowing that Mr. Balfour (Kruger) is well healed -- threatening blackmail. Yes, there's a fight, Chick is shot and Tim is in deep.

Interestingly, Robb White added a very slick angle, a favorite among mystery writers. Works like a charm. The question of where the fatal bullet entered. It's discovered Chick was shot twice, the second bullet fired into his back, while Tim shot Chick face to face. You have to admit, it cut down the list of suspects due to the fact there's only one correct answer, also most any "reputable" killer would proudly admit they shot their victim while facing them.

***Without giving too much away, only a fink would shoot someone in the back. Who would ever want to admit that? Crossing the proverbial line of criminal conduct. Up to Perry to find the rat fink. Yes, Robb White had to add that wee touch of dark humor, he was so famous for.

Great to see veteran actor Otto Kruger again, a favorite of producers, also Barton MacLane, famous for so many gangster flicks. Washbrook is best known for MY FRIEND FLICKA. Virginia Christine returns to the series, always a choice actress to appear on the witness stand. TV buffs will recognize Frances Rafferty, who co-starred on DECEMBER BRIDE. Billy Benedict, from the BOWERY BOYS, plays an old man, although he was much younger with pre-mature gray hair. All us kids loved him.

SEASON 7 EPISODE 10 remastered CBS dvd box set. For ultimate fans, all nine seasons are in one impressive box set. Thanks METV for running these whodunits twice daily.

It's interesting how poor these episodes are when a "delinquent" is a character. First of all these guy look like they are in their thirties. The accused has done nothing to gain our sympathy. He has opportunities to get out of his situation but lets an extortionist call the tune. I thought I recognized the drunk. Speaking of delinquents--that guy was "Whitey" in many of the Bowery Boys features.

Honestly, I quit watching halfway through. That's the first episode I've lost interest enough to not finish watching - and not care whodunnit!

Not only did I not care, but about half the cast should have been knocked off due to bad writing! Was there a writer's strike going on? Was Hollyweird on vacation? Nothing about this episode was interesting. The 'rebel without (or with) a cause' stereotypes, the ailing grandfather (who looked like he'd played a great 18 holes of golf at the club that morning) the sneering brat of a spoiled child as the grandson - who probably needed a little prison time to straighten him out! Good grief! "Mrs Olsen" should have stuck with her coffee commercials instead of her role as the housekeeper! Ugh!

The biggest crime of this episode is that Perry Mason and Paul Drake don't show up until it is more than half over, and Della even later.

The first half reminds me of the older 60's soap operas, all overwrought dialog and acting. The kind that Carol Burnett used to parody in their Canoga Falls potboiler.

Then there is the suspect/victim du jour, who does just about everything wrong that he can.

The episode does pick up once Parry and Paul are on the scene, with Perry tricking a confession out of the real killer, outside the courtroom, even. It is worth adding a star to the rating of an otherwise poor outing.

Usually, there is the final scene of the episode where Paul, Della, & Perry discuss the motive--and resolve all the viewers' questions, I guess there wasn't time for this. Otto Kruger is the grandfather, the ONLY character that shares a believable motivation for his grandson--but if you know this, I think you can enjoy the remainder of the characters. I might have given this episode a lower rating, but I have not viewed any with a lower rating. Difficult to follow--and no, it's not challenging--it's one where Hamilton Burger is left with the most interesting motive in the episode. When you're producing 28 episodes a season, at least one has to be filmed in "the mansion set." Blame it on MeTV editing, but it just doesn't work for me.