The Case of the Fiery Fingers

Mostly thanks to Lenore Shanewise, this is an above average Perry Mason episode. Imdb and their 150 character requirements is a royal pain and discourages reviewers.

Fans of Perry Mason may be surprised to learn that Lenore Shanewise (Nora Mae Qincey), born in 1887 in Denver, Iowa, was instrumental in advancing the stage and acting career of Raymond Burr. She was a director of and actor in hundreds of productions with the Pasadena Playhouse, where Burr considered her as a mentor. She co-starred with Burr in two episodes of Perry Mason (her second appearance is in "The Case of the Reckless Rockhound," one of the series best offerings) and in two episodes of "Ironside." She also appeared in the Twilight Zone episode entitled "Kick the Can" (1962). She retired in 1967 and died in 1980. She's easily the most interesting thing about "The Case of the Fiery Fingers," her penny-pinching scenes with Perry and Della being standouts. Otherwise, it's a pedestrian episode, with an overly abrupt conclusion. But the Mason/Hale/Hopper dynamic never fails to entertain. And it doesn't hurt to add a star of Ms. Shanewise's caliber to the mix!

If you're keeping score, many of Perry's cases dealt with money and shear greed. A lethal combination. Here, Edward Norris plays a questionable gentleman named George Gordon who married a very wealthy woman. Still he's not happy. He has a gal friend (played by Fay Spain) on the side -- and you know his wife Louise (Susan Dorn) hasn't long to live. In fact, poor Louise prefers the company of her elderly nurse, Nora Mae (played by Lenore Shanewise), but it's not enough protection when she winds up poisoned. Even more tough luck for Nora Mae who stands accused of the crime.

In a way, you kind of figured something like this would happen, and watch how it all plays out. I agree with the last reviewer; the courtroom showdown is a gem. Of course, all us long time fans couldn't wait for the finale no matter what the case was about. Much due to excellent actors and the craftsmanship of director Arthur Marks, also series producer. Watch every single face!

On an interesting footnote, Lenore Shanewise was the senior director of the famed Pasadena Playhouse and a good friend of Raymond Burr.

Poker face Charles Lane turns up as a doctor. We love him. Actress Susan Dorn, who appeared in many dramatic tv shows, passed in 2020. Yes, comedian Connie Cezan returns as Gertie.

Another fine script by Laurence Marks, who later gained fame for many winning episodes for MASH.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 31 remastered CBS dvd box set. Volumes 1 and 2. The entire series is on dvd in an impressive box set. For ultra fans.

A great early episode of classic "Perry Mason". Contains some of the best court room scenes of the entire series. Plus we get to see that Perry is really a soft lovable Teddy Bear at heart. And anytime Connie Cezon, as Gertie, gets face time it is going to be a good show.

A sweet grand-ma like nurse, played by Lenore Shanewise, gets caught up in a family situation that is seen more in tabloids than on TV. Between affairs, money and stolen love letters you already know someone is not going to make it till the end of the show.

When Norman Mae Quincy, the sweet nurse, is accused of murder - not only do we as watchers feel sad for her but also Perry is caught up with this women's grandmother appearance. She called Lt Tragg a mean man and also gets friendly with the matrons in her cell block.

Rest of the episode is classic Mason. Excellent court room scenes with Lt Tragg being questioned by Perry and DA Burger. Even some scenes on how items get introduced as evidence into court proceeding.

At the end of the show it has one of the best scanning of the court room in any program or film. Begins at the witness-stand and the camera then scans to jurors- then to court room spectators- showing Burger, Tragg, Paul, Della and Perry and finally stops on our sweet ma-ma feeling sorry for the person in the witness-stand.

The final sweet scene is when Nora, our grand-ma, asked for the fee that Perry will be charging. When Perry asked her what is fair, she advises about $25. As the show fades out the elderly lady is counting out one dollar bills from her change purse into Perry's hand. Afterall he did save her from prison or as she said "much worse".

Worth watching!

A sweet old lady Nora Mae Quincey works as a nurse for a wealthy woman.

She thinks the wealthy woman's husband might want to poison his wife and she comes to see Perry Mason with a bottle of pills.

Later the woman does die. Nora Mae is accused of poisoning her. Perry Mason agrees to defend Nora Mae and suspects that the husband did poison her.

He stands to inherit a vast estate, there is a cousin of the dead woman who would continue to get an allowance.

Perry finds out that the husband's first wife also died of poisoning.

Obviously there is an issue as to why the police suspect the elderly Nora Mae of murder. The only motive seems to be that she wore the dead woman's jewellery.

The obvious candidate seems to be the husband although Perry Mason has a few tricks in court to get the actual culprit to break down.

There is a nice little twist and Perry Mason has his own form of legal aid. Pay what you think he is worth.