The Case of the Corresponding Corpse

Joan Camden is the Perry Mason client in this episode. Ms. Camden is involved with a man who faked his own death, but a sharp and blackmailing investigator played by Vaughn Taylor has found him out and wants a payoff. Though Camden pays him her boyfriend Ross Elliott decides to make a clean breast of it and later is found dead for real. It's Camden that Ray Collins arrests for the crime.

Though Taylor who steals the episode with his portrayal of a slimebag is the most likely alternative, there are a few others. Highlight of the episode is a scene where Taylor goes toe to toe with William Hopper saying that Raymond Burr could find himself in a jackpot if Paul Drake pushes too hard.

See this one for Vaughn Taylor.

A man who failed to make his flight finds that his plane crashed and uses it to defraud he insurance company so his wife will benefit. This is one of those cases where a loyal, loving soul pays a price for her commitment to this guy when he decides to face the music. The complications bring in some pretenders, including a blackmailer from the insurance company. I rather enjoyed this first offering of the Second Season.

What makes this episode great is a tight story line, nothing crazy or outlandish. There is an extortion element, a love desire, and fked death ll neatly wrapped together.

The episode begins when a insurance investigator named Harry Folsom is blackmailing a man named George Beaumont concerning the faking of his death. It seemed that he was suppose to be on an airplane that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean but never got on the plane. When he found out that everyone thought he was dead, he decided that his wife would be better off with the insurance money so he faked his death and started a new life. Now an investigator has found out his scheme.

George has been in a relationship with Ruth Whittaker and advises her that he is returning to his wife. Ruth pays $7000 to the insurance investigator wanting George to stay with her. But he has made up his mind to return to his wife. He has already called Perry Mason, which came as a shock to Perry, in order to make his return. But Ruth is not a happy camper. Having paid the blackmailer, she threatens George with a letter opener. Later George is found dead with a letter opener stuck in his back. Of course Ruth is charged with the murder and Perry will defend her in court.

But it not as cut and dry as the situation suggest. There are many suspects. From Ruth's hard nose father, George's wife Laura and the man that is in love with Laura. So there is many people that could be suspect in this mystery. With some nice acting and great interchange between Perry and Lt Tragg, this show was interesting from beginning to end.

Some things seem different 1 Paul's knock. But Della has to go to the door to let him in 2 significant music played to emphasize moments of stress or enlightenment 3 since when does Paul present a bill?

Feels like a new writer or director.