The Case of the Hateful Hero

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.

The great character actress Jeanette Nolan replete with German accent highlights the Perry Mason episode. Raymond Burr's client here is Dick Davalos playing rookie patrolman James Anderson cousin of series regular Weslay Lau.

A rather wild and unrealistic plot drags Davalos into a jackpot whereby he stands accused of the murder of a night watchman and former LAPD officer. He's further accused of being part of a robbery of the same factory in which Nolan's son who is Wesley Lau's best friend on the force and training officer for Davalos is killed.

The most unrealistic thing about this story is Raymond Burr asking for and getting Nolan's cooperation in apprehending the real perpetrator. Again Perry Mason defends no guilty clients, but Nolan thinks Davalos culpable in her son's murder. A bit much to ask and get in this episode one of the lesser ones in this long series.

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 often knock these down for a lack of verisimilitude. This has a couple of weak elements, but with the exception of some time issues in the case, it works. There are enough bad guys to go around. There are guys previously thought to be good who have pass muster in the court. We have a subplot of a company sale which would feather the nests of some of the partners. We have what seems like an open and shut case since two principles have stolen money in their homes. We have the tension between Andy Anderson and his just promoted cousin. It's a good deal of fun.

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.