The Case of the Crying Comedian

PM Note; Catch the eerie music bits, thanks to composer Fred Steiner, who immitated Alfred Hitchcock's "moody" interludes from his tv show. Extremely similar.

A first where Perry defends a nightclub comedian, a fairly clever change of pace.

The comic is played by Tommy Noonan, who in real life did comedy bits with partner Peter Marshall, before hosting HOLLYWOOD SQUARES. Turns out Noonan (Charley) has an old gal friend (played by Gloria Talbott) who has run into some difficulties. She's married to a not too pleasant guy called Gilrain (Liam Sullivan), also drinking and landing herself in a sanitarium. However, there's a little more to the story (money?).

Worst thing Charley does is confront Gilrain, threatening to kill him -- yes, he's found dead a short time later. The rest is up to Perry in what turns out to be a neatly woven whodunit.

Suspicious faces coupled with Steiner's music is camp for all us mystery buffs. Jackie Coogan lends great support, the ultimate poker face, also Sue Anne Langdon (Rowena), who did everything from drama to comedy. Stacy Harris (known for DRAGNET) plays Ed.

For Hollywood buffs, catch a nice shot at the opening of the famous Sunset Towers on Sunset Boulevard, which glows at sundown, still there after all these years.

Written by Robert C. Dennis, dean of cop shows, also lead writer for Hitchcock's tv show. SEASON 5 EPISODE 5 remastered CBS dvd box set. Volumes 1 and 2. Thanks to METV for running this unforgettable series twice daily.

This one didn't do much for me. First of all, that comedian was about as tiresome as one can be. He couldn't take anything seriously. Then we have the woman he loves who married a jerk but who definitely was an alcoholic. When she tells Charlie that's why she's in the sanitarium, he says, "Is that all?" Then there's Uncle Fester (Jackie Coogan) who has some idiot job for the guy, who way oversteps his bounds. Oh well, as usually, the big jerky guy ends up dead.

Charlie, the accused, much too over-done emotionally. Too hammy for my taste, not very believable for adult behavior.

Plot is interesting, but Rowena as the "dumb blond" persona is so stereo-typical that it's hard to listen to her dialogue. Surely the creative writers could have come up with a better character.

I believe the drive-in restaurant that Paul Drake and Anne Gilrain (Gloria Talbot) have a short scene at was Hody's Drive-In on Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood. Good pictures can be found on Google.

I think my title sums up my opinion pretty well. The cast was fine, good actors, but the story and direction were just average. I tried, but it just couldn't hold my attention. Perhaps it's because club comedy is just not my thing. Therefore, I couldn't really get behind Tommy Noonan's character. Again, no fault of the cast, but a yawner for me.