The Case of the Frightened Fisherman

To be sure, Erle Stanley Gardner insisted on catchy titles as a lure, and this mystery is a darn good match. Caution; no ghosts, but fairly atmospheric.

Marian Collier (known for MR. NOVAK), plays Natalie, who has had her fill with her scientist husband, Randolph ( Lee Farr). She just wants to get away, but with some extra cash. Realizing he's on the brink of developing a revolutionary drug, she arranges a little side deal with her husband's competitor, Bradshaw (Bartlett Robinson) Robinson could play some slicksters you love to hate. His goal is to buy shares of her husband's company. Geedy is as greedy does.

Yes, nasty Natalie gets herself killed and Randolph set up for the crime, who happened to be fishing at the time. Hence, the frightened fisherman. What a case, and with plenty of red herrings to go around. What we love right up to the reveal. Can you figure this out by mid-way?

If you're a cop show fan, Lee Farr co-starred on the DETECTIVES, opposite Robert Taylor. Veteran actress Connie Gilchrist guest stars, also Mala Powers. Stacy Keach's dad plays a police lieutenant.

Director Arthur Marks, also producer, hits the mark. The courtoom finale is filled with some fairly grim faces. We love it.

SEASON 7 EPISODE 20 remastered CBS dvd box set. Volumes 1 and 2. 3 dvds. Released 2012. The entire series is on dvd in a single mega box. The best.

A very satisfactory entry in the too-often underwhelming final few seasons. Two of the performances here stand out -- that of Mala Powers (especially in the courtroom in that fantastic white hat) and Richard Devon (also while under cross-examination on the 'phone'). There was enough mystery and red herrings (not bonita or yellowtail) to keep you guessing until the end, which I have to admit, was one of the better emotional courtroom confessions (which usually are excruciatingly melodramatic and often ruin an otherwise good show). A side-plot surprise also worked very well and came off very believable.

Good thing that Lee Farr has Perry Mason on retainer for his business, he'll sure need him as a defense attorney. He's not only accused of running down his cheating wife Marian Collier, but Connie Gilchrist saw him do it and their station wagon has been identified as the murder weapon.

In addition to looking to sell her stock in her husband's company right out from under him which is his motive for murder, Collier has been doing dirt to a lot of folks. Even her dumb boyfriend William Smith is catching on to her as well.

The plot had one individual all staked out as the perpetrator, but at the last second was neatly turned around to another. Still another person destroyed evidence. A phony witness was also dug up and that gilding of the lily is what led to Raymond Burr unmasking the killer. And the perpetrator had plenty of reason to kill Collier.

Nicely plotted with a neat switch.

I am watching this episode on MeTV, and at first I thought that Marian Collier (who plays the victim, Natalie James) was Patricia Crowley! I was thinking it was strange seeing her play a villain. I keep thinking of her as the mom on Please Don't Eat The Daisies. Then I went to this page on IMDb and saw on the credits that Patricia Crowley isn't in this episode.

There was lots of motive, money, jewelry, dames, and a blind man. It was all well orchestrated and entertaining. There was also kind of a cool thing with a telephone. Perry knows his fish; and that's a fact. This was a fun episode featuring some classic woodies.