The Case of the Foot-Loose Doll

Poor Mildred Crest (Ruth Lee.) Framed by her beau Bob Wallis who stole money from the firm they both worked for.

At least he has the decency to phone her and tell her to run quickly

On her way to Los Angeles, she picks up a hitchhiker Fern Driscoll who has a suitcase with her initials. Only this Fern is an escaped criminal who pulls a gun on Mildred.

The car crashes and Fern is burnt to death. Mildred thinks it is best to assume her identity and get to LA. Only an insurance investigator called Carl Davis shows up demanding some letters to be returned.

Mildred is advised to see Perry Mason who senses that she is not telling the whole truth. Later Carl is injured by an ice pick, claiming he was attacked by Mildred. Later he dies when his injuries were not deemed to be that serious.

Now Perry has to defend Mildred for murder. Only Perry knows she cannot have killed the investigator.

Also where is the real Fern Driscoll? An escaped prisoner could not had a suitcase with her own initials. Where does the senator seeking re-election fit into all this?

No wonder both Paul Drake and Della Street have questions for Perry at the end. This is a complex story adapted for the screen. It was not always easy to follow.

Despite the twists and turns, the actual murderer of Carl Davies was easy for Perry to figure out.

...the defendant looked familiar. Well, her acting was familiar first then her face.

She did a very good and believable job. Her crying was the most believable I've seen in the series yet.

So of course, I had to see where I had seen her from.

She plays one of the brides (Ruth) in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"! A classic and beloved musical. She was one of the more prominent brides in the film. So my memory of her is very vivid.

I'm happy I got to see her in something else. Now that I've gotten reacquainted with her work I'm hoping to come across some of her other screen work.

Also, Bray playing the private detective was pretty familiar too. I recognized him from a few westerns. Then I learned hell be in two other Perry Mason episodes. I'm looking forward to that. Will he be the victim again or maybe the perpetrator this time?

This was an OK episode. It involves the confusing identities of three young women. It also includes a couple of relatively incompetent private detectives. And an ice pick. This is decently paced and somewhat gripping. Unfortunately for me, I knew who the killer was almost instantly.

Another so-so script, not bad, not good, maybe a bit above average. Some of the characters here are a bit stereotyped, but then again, that's Hollywood for you. A politician with ulterior motives, a couple of sleazy, incompetent private detectives, a woman with a secret and another with amnesia. Preposterous..? Maybe. But in this case, similarly to the previous one, it all hinges on one performance. I know I've said it before, but give the credit for this one all to Ruta Lee. She is definitely the cream of the crop in this outing. Funny how a good performer can brighten up the dullest story. This story isn't that bad, but Ruta makes it more than watchable.

This is a very well-made episode,in the technical sense. The camera-work (cinematography?) is very well-done,the musical score is comically dramatic,without overdoing it. The wardrobe,and the sets are all top-notch. However,on the other hand...The story,the plot,was somewhat convoluted and confusing to me,I must admit. Some of it seems rather farfetched,but that's television for you! With a few grains of salt and a willingness to be entertained you will at least get several honest chuckles out of it!