The Case of the Capering Camera

Perry is a little different in this episode than in most. He's colder and tougher, and more skeptical of his client. I find this approach interesting, but I still prefer the warmer, kinder Perry Mason!

This episode goes into legal ethics, so we learn something about that subject. There are some beautiful women in this episode, which is always a plus! One of them drove a great-looking convertible; I wasn't sure what the model was. I couldn't place it; looked kind of like a Mercedes.

This is definitely one of those times when the show stays "in town" and in the courtroom. No field trips to the desert or the docks for Perry and Paul this outing.

The crime is a clever one, and rather complicated, which is quite like the plots of the Perry Mason books, so I liked that aspect.

All in all, this is worth watching, though I wouldn't rate it among the top episodes of this outstanding series.

This episode should have 'last' somewhere in its title. This is the last acting performance for many of the people on this episode.

Ray Collins (Lt Tragg) makes his last appearance as the hard nose detective. Even though his name continues as a regular he never appears in anymore of the "Perry Mason" shows.

Also the always beautiful Elaine Stewart (plays Irene Grey) soon marries and quits acting. She does do two game shows in the 70's but never acts for a TV or film again.

Byron Palmer (plays Harper Green) was a singer in the 50's and was a guest actor on a few shows. However after this acting job he never works in front of the camera again. Not much more is know about Mr Palmer after this show- but we can only hope he had a great life and will always be remembered for his voice.

And then you have the sad case of Karyn Kupcinet (plays Penny Ames). she was a young beauty that made any man believe she was talking right to him. Her looks was taking her far until she was found dead in her apartment. In fact she was dead before this episode aired in January of 1964.

Anyway this episode is one of the good ones from the seventh season. Anytime blackmail and photos of young women are used it always is going to be watched. But throw in more than one blackmail and a murder/suicide then you got yourself a situation screaming for Perry.

Only negatives about the show is the confrontational demeanor that the director lets Hamilton Burger project. Mr Burger, even though we all know he is going to lose, can at least be a lovable loser. But this episode does not bring him across in that light. And when the last person on the witness stand speaks it seems to be tightly put together. As we are racing toward the finish line. Not a spoiler but it just happens so fast.

With all that said it was an enjoyable watch. The eye-candy alone gives it a few stars and the plot and acting are very good. So I consider this episode a very good show to watch.

Also during the first few minutes of the show, when one of the characters is riding around in a sports car, we have some of the weirdest background music ever heard on a "Perry Mason" show. Watch and you will see what I mean!

Three cheers to Ray Collins- as we see him in his last working gig. lt Tragg will be missed!

Most of what takes place does so because fashion models did calendar photos. I suppose those are the ones that men had in their garage walls and other establishments. In other words they had few clothes on and were being blackmailed. Finally, one of them confronts her blackmailer but this leads to a plethora of such stuff. Ray Collins appears one last time here. I always enjoyed his walking in on Perry and a suspect who was in mid-sentence, revealing something damning.

When Bugs Bunny needed a shovel, he'd reach behind his back and grab one. When he needed a steam roller, he'd step off screen and half a second later would be in frame driving one. The killer in this episode must have had an in with Ben Washam and Chuck Jones. There's no other way to explain how said killer just happened to have the bits and pieces needed to (almost) pull off the murder.

This is another in the long list of Perry Mason episodes in which the method of the crime was for the sake of the writers' convenience. Prepare to have your intelligence insulted.

Two thumbs up for the models, though.

Cleverly written episode, with very good-looking actresses--you would really stand out if you were an actress that wasn't in great shape. That said, Perry's conscience regarding his legal responsibilities to the Court and his client ruin the perfect murder. In his last episode, Lt. Tragg shares with Andy Anderson the secret to his successfully investigating murders involving Paul and Perry ("When do they ever act as if they don't know anything")--as though he knew this was his final episode, and the end to his most enjoyable character. There are some wonderful lines written for the the repeat performers that hold up well nearly 60 years later--further, there's nothing that technically dates the writing in this episode--you could film it today, and it would be just as good.