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.

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.

The basic plot here was intriguing, and of course there was more than enough eye candy, but the stereotypes between the photographers and pinup/calendar models needed a little less volume. It was a sad farewell to the on-screen presence of Ray Collins as the venerable Lt Arthur Tragg, as well as the last role for ingenue Karyn Kupcinet (and daughter of the famous Chicago columnist, Irv) who died far too young of suspicious circumstances. The surprising conclusion was one of the better from the later seasons, as Perry trapped the murderer in their own mistakes. All-in-all, entertaining in the obvious way, but only average in the rest...

Only Perry Mason being the straight shooter he is would have an ethical dilemma when Margo Moore reports a murder of fashion photographer Eric Feldary which occurs right at the beginning of the show. But Moore never fires the pistol. Moore says the shot came from outside the studio room they were in. But the cops led by Ray Collins and Wesley Lau say it was suicide.

Both Raymond Burr and Wesley Lau have uneasiness about this death. Burr is an officer of the court, though I would have just shut up and kept my client's confidence. Anderson is encouraged by Collins to keep investigating. Sure enough Moore needs a lawyer and fortunately she already saw the best.

As an episode itself not one of the best, too many rabbit type gimmicks get pulled out of a hat for me. But as a milestone, it's rather freaky that several people ended their careers with this show. Elaine Stewart and Byron Palmer simply retired. Ray Collins although he kept with the show credits never did another piece of work and died the following year.

The worst was Karyn Kupcinet, daughter of syndicated columnist Irv Kupcinet who was murdered in November of 1963, this show being a posthumous appearance. Fifty years later, still an unsolved Hollywood tragedy.

Not the best Perry Mason story, but what history.

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.