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.

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.

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.

This episode did not have the flash and suspense other shows offered but it did do a good job of getting the viewer involved and interested in the outcome of the mystery. And when Perry does some fishing of his on in the courtroom, the viewer knows that he is hot on the trail of the true murderer.

The plot centers around this small chemist company, ran by Randolph James and Hans Lang, developing a new antibiotic drug that will be worth millions upon distribution and a drug company, led by Hudson Bradshaw, wanting to buy the vaccine and and put the chemist company out of business.

Bradshaw comes up with this plan to buy shares of the chemist company from Randolph James's wife. Seems Ms Natalie James is sick of being married to Randolph and she wants to sell her stock and move to Hawaii or any place away from Randolph. But when she learns that her shares could be worth twice what she is asking, she raises the stakes and tells Bradshaw they she wants much more money.

While Randolph is out doing some night beach fishing someone takes his vehicle. The vehicle is involved in a hit-and-run killing Natalie James. Upon finishing his fishing, Randolph returns to his vehicle (which has been returned) and is stopped by police. The evidence points to Randolph James killing his wife for the shares of the company and murder warrants are issued. Perry will defend Randolph in court.

Even though there is nothing flashy in this script, the show has moments of enlightenment. Perry ask a simple question to a witness on the stand about fishing and you can tell that the walls of deception begin to fall. Nice story and good watch.

Note- No Della in this episode. She will also be missing the next three shows as well. In this show there is no explanation as to her absents but the next episode Perry advises that she is visiting her aunt.

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.