The Case of the Hateful Hero

Jeanette Nolan makes this episode. Her acting is quite amazing. Her emotion when she's screaming and Perry is great. I like many of the Perry episodes enough to give a nine or ten, but this might well be my favorite.

Producer and writer Samuel Newman, who wrote well over 100 episodes for the series, likely added a bit of DRAGNET to this story, a clever touch.

This digs deep into the relationships of LAPD officers, specifically Lt. Anderson's (Wesley Lau) cousin, Jimmy (Richard Davalos), a rookie cop, and in deep water. An interesting storyline due to the fact a police officer is now a suspect, a familiar plight on DRAGNET.

Jimmy is teamed with a new partner called Otto Norden. Their very first assignment is a robbery at a large plastics company, resulting in Otto being killed, the safe blown up -- and the question of $60,000 dollars. WHO has the most to gain? The guard is also killed and witnesses link Jimmy to the robbery.

The real murderer plays a slick game here, and that's the point to be made. Time for the trial, and it's a winner with some fine performances from the list of suspects. Watch each and every face, note the closeups by director Jesse Hibbs, his trademark.

I agree, Mabel Albertson (famous for BEWITCHED) is always a scene stealer, playing the owner (Carrie Wilson) of the company in question, and a fairly tough cookie. Jeanette Nolan has a very sympathetic role, portraying the dead cop's mother, worthy of an Emmy nod. A master of characterizations, often in westerns as a tough rancher or dramas as an older woman of modest means.

The password is: Microfilm. As you will see. The ending is worth the wait, and in the dark!

Note; Fun to see a few of the supporting actors who turned up periodically in DRAGNET, like Frank Gerstle, as a detective. SEASON 6 EPISODE 5 remastered CBS dvd box set. Volumes 1 and 2. Thanks to METV for running these msyteries twice daily.

Hamilton concludes the hearing prosecution with a line that Perry will present his usual calculated confusion of facts. But Perry presents no defense. The murderer of Ralph Pearce (who is uncredited even though appearing as a corpse) is revealed in a cold room before the actual trial commences. The episode title is of interest, because the viewer does not learn the hateful or hero part until very late. Perry's initial appearance is as corporate attorney for Wilson Plastics, and in this episode that role is important. The set-up places experienced officer Otto Norden (actor Boyett, later a police sergeant in Adam-12) with young officer Jimmy Anderson, the cousin of Lt. Andy Anderson. They drive by Wilson Plastics. Norden immediately notices watchman Ralph Pearce is not outside (pay attention to how Otto speaks of Ralph). There is a robbery. Otto is killed. Jimmy seems to have been derelict. Ralph Pearce later is found dead. Jimmy is found guilty in a Board of Rights hearing under a preponderance of evidence standard. Jimmy is charged with the death of Pearce. Lt. Andy Anderson asks Perry to defend Jimmy. Perry goes to Wilson Plastics and suggests one of them is the killer and is told "you are out of your mind." Perry responds: "That's been said many times." Once we see that the SEC is investigating for insider trading, we know there is more than meets the eye. There are two overlapping schemes (actually 2 and a half), which did make this a tough oone for Perry. It is not common for Perry to get physically involved, but here Mama Norden (Nolan) actually attacks Perry.

I kinda liked this one. Jeanette Nolan plays her part well. The rest of the cast perform at an equal level. Direction is not heavy-handed. Red herrings are galore, & the identity of the real killer is hidden well. The only downside to this one is the fact that Lt Anderson would never have been allowed to take part in the investigation of a relative. Once you get beyond that, it is very entertaining and suspenseful. The reaction of Leonard Stone at the denouement is a welcome change from the status quo. Good watch.

I really enjoyed this particular episode as they showed a more human, compassionate side of the usually no nonsense, tough as nails, Lieutenant Andy Anderson. With all the hullabaloo over the great character actress, Jeanette Nolan, as a grieving mother of a young police officer, who dies in the line of duty, no one seems to have mentioned Mabel Albertson, who portrays Carrie Wilson, the head of Wilson Plastics. Of course, she is best known in her role as Darrin Stephen's mother, Phyllis, on Bewitched...Perry asks the court to grant a recess because she feels one of her sick headaches coming on and needs to lie down in his office!