The Case of the Playboy Pugilist

Robert Armstrong veteran trainer of the fight game has what he thinks is a real find in Gary Lockwood a promising young fighter. Lockwood has a tendency to party and that has to be kept under control if he goes all the way. When Mark Roberts millionaire playboy sportsman buys 50% of his contract it looks like a good deal. Even Perry Mason says so.

But Roberts brings him to a plush resort to 'train' and if anything in this atmosphere he's partying more than ever and with Roberts wife Dianne Foster. Not that Roberts cares because he's got both Dolores Michaels and Carla Ballenda on the side.

Roberts is the victim and Armstrong becomes Raymond Burr's client and for more than a consultation about a contract. This episode as it turns out has nothing really to do with Lockwood, but it has a lot to do with Armstrong who is really being set up. What it is you have to see the episode for.

King Kong never jammed Robert Armstrong like he is here.

Nice to see Armstrong acting again, but am I the only one to notice the major wardrobe malfunction within the first few minutes of the show?? On the version currently being aired on MeTV, when Lockwood is knocked down in front of Armstrong, there's an obvious digital blurring of Lockwood's widely spread legs. On the DVD of this episode you can see why, as one of his "boys" makes an uncredited entrance for a second or two. Freeze framed, It's quite the exposure! Of course when the show originally aired it's likely to have gone unnoticed in the low resolution 60s on smaller screens.

Without going into all the details of the plot which involves an overzealous real estate guy who signs a boxer. Gary Lockwood plays the boxer who can't concentrate any time he sees a woman. He then gets his clock cleaned. Robert Armstrong is his loyal trainer who ends up next to Mason because he felt he was cheated and is implicated in a murder.

In an episode that had the makings of an excellent show, it seemed to get off track when talking about a hotel fire years ago in New York City. It already had a nice storyline and an interesting mystery but that distraction seemed to slow the show down to a pace unworthy of the plot.

The show began as we see an young boxer Davey Carroll and his trainer Jimmy West (Robert Armstrong) inside a boxing gym. Jimmy West believes that Davey will be the next famous boxer if only he can get a promoter to get his boxer in some big money fights.

When a seedy promoter named Tod Richards signs the fighter, Jimmy West is appalled. But his attitude changes when Richards gives Jimmy 50% interest in Davey Carroll.

When the relationship of Richards and West sours, they get into a small shouting match and fight. That evening Tod Richards is found dead- shot with a gun owned by West. And Jimmy West goes to Perry to defend him in court on charges of murder.

With many suspects that may have a motive to see Mr Richards dead, it will not be until a host of witnesses are crossed-examined by Perry before the pieces are put together. And with little if any evidence, a person does one of those 'it-was-me' confessions from the courtroom gallery bring an end to the trial.

The viewer was bombarded with a lot of information during the course of the show. From a dead man to a hotel fire and then an up-and-coming boxer, this was a plate full. Even with the distractions and the highly suspect confession, the show is worthy of a watch. Because of good casting by the production staff, the show is saved and Perry is satisfied with the results. The viewer will also be satisfied.