The Case of the Fancy Figures

This episode is one of the better shows. From the well written script and the fine acting, this episode kept you on the end of your seat the entire time. You know that the show is fantastic when at the end of the episode you wished the program would continue.

At a firm that handles rich clients named -Hyett, Brewster and Hyett- they have found evidence that Brewster has embezzled over $300,000 from the company. But the bad thing is that an employee, Martin Ellis, has already been convicted of the theft and is spend time in state prison. But Brewster is married to Johnathan Hyett's daughter and there are some secrets that Brewster will reveal if they turn him in to authorities.

But someone sends information to Ms Ellis that will clear her husband. With the help from Perry and Hamilton Burger, Martin Ellis is released from prison but vows to make Charles Brewster pay for sending him to prison.

When Brewster was arrested for the embezzlement, he plans a scheme with an bond agent investigator to return some of the money only if his bail is posted. So the agent, Lawrence Squire, helps Brewster make bond and he is released. The next day Charles Brewster is found dead and of course Martin Ellis is the main suspect. When information is revealed that Martin Ellis did meet with Brewster that evening, it only adds to the mound of evidence that the DA's office has on Martin.

Perry will defend Martin Ellis in court for the murder of Brewster. Even with the evidence pointing toward guilt, Perry will have a large amount of suspects in the mix that are not sadden by Brewster's death. There will be some loopholes along the way that Perry will have the Paul Drake Detective Agency on full alert as they look at each event that comes up in court. Some shocking testimony concerning Martin Ellis's wife will finally link the entire case together. And someone will be tripped up on the stand that will bring down the case and the true murderer will be revealed. Very good watch.

For some of us, seeing a black actor in a 50s TV show is a worthy use of time. Frank Silvera was an exceptionally elegant man who, thanks to B & W, was hired in a variety of rolls. He pulls this one off with great aplomb.

He was a trailblazer, and unfortunately died while working under the sink on a garbage disposal, via electrocution. Throw that breaker when working around water & electricity, folks. We lost a good one!

A frequent character in a Perry Mason episode is a crook whose actions embarrassed a company or proved a threat to someone's daughter or son. Here we have a little of both. But still there is a merry-go-round of suspect including a guy who was put in jail for embezzlement. It's pretty decent drama with a lot of peaks and valleys.

Some years ago someone stole big time from Frank Silvera's firm and comptroller William Phipps took the fall. Evidence is now found to free Phipps, but he's looking to take some names and numbers and find out who put him in that jackpot.

The guy who really did the deed Ralph Clanton is found dead and you know the cops zeroed right in Phipps. But Clanton was an all around sleazebag and it's with alternate suspects and theories that Perry Mason makes his living.

Highlght of the story is when one of the suspects blurts out in court they did it. Kind of throws Raymond Burr off his game. But he recovers nicely.

As the episode begins, the folks at the investment firm Hyett, Brewster and Hyett have received evidence that a former employee Ellis, currently in prison for embezzlement, is innocent and partner Brewster, son in law of the senior Hyett DID DO the crime. They do nothing. Mrs. Ellis receives evidence, takes it to Perry, who works with Berger to get Ellis out. (Perry has good words to say about Berger's honesty). Ellis has bad things to say about Brewster. Although Brewster is arrested, Brewster makes a deal with Squires of the bonding company (which paid out for the $ taken by Brewster): return half the stolen money ($150k) in return for posting bail. Squires suspects Brewster wi9ll skip but does the deal. But someone kills Brewster. Ellis is charged. Perry defends. There was more to the embezzlement than just Brewster. Further, various "figures" in thw episode are engaging in "fanciful" views of reality. Perry makes some comments on libel and slander. Della notes that a cynic sees things that aren't there and Perry adds that one who looks for things that aren't there and finds them is called a detective. The senior Hyett (played by Frank Silvera) knew all along that Brewster was guilty but allowed Ellis to take the fall. Silvera played the title character "Sheriff of Red Rock" in Wanted: Dead or Alive (episode released in late 1958), another ethically-challenged character.