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.

Camp title for the second season opener, and an outstanding mystery. The only episode Don Brinkley wrote. Missed opportunity. Don was instrumental in many cop shows in a long career, later creating TRAPPER JOHN.

Ross Elliot plays George Beaumont who fakes his own death in a plane crash -- he supposedly was a passenger. Very clever. The insurance money goes to his wife, but there's a third party. Enter slick investigator Vaughn Taylor (as Harry), playing a blackmailer who wants a slice of the pie --until George turns up dead a SECOND time?

Beautifully done and well acted. Joan Camden, who appeared in three series episodes, plays Perry's client, Ruth. Future soap opera star Jeanne Cooper plays Laura, an actress who could handle a wide range of roles.

Taylor definitely has fun with his part as you will see. He guested on many classic tv shows, generally brooding or bitter old gents with a bone to pick with someone.

Note, a groundbreaking episode, featuring a female judge for a change of pace. Not clear if Don Brinkley wrote it that way, but the casting people are to be congratulated.

Brinkley may have been inspired from a classic ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS episode called "Don't Come back Alive," where the wife was the phony victim instead of the husband.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 1 remastered CBS/Universal box set. Vol. 1 and 2. 4 dvds. Released 2007.

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.

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.