The Case of the Red Riding Boots

Another bad acting performance by a young actress. This whole episode is filled with teenage angst and irrational actions. The plot is decent when everything plays out, but getting there is pretty confusing. How many of these episodes involve a guy marrying a rather despicable woman and another family member resenting it?

Extremely dramatic episode, and with two solid talking points. Perry happens to be saddled with a whole lot of folks on the witness stand who don't want to tell "the whole truth and nothing but," a rarity for sure. Second, what if one of those under cross examination intends to commit suicide -- right in front of him?

This one will keep you guessing, which we all enjoy. John Archer (known for BONANZA, many other tv shows) plays Burt, the owner of a ranch, who dumps his wife (Linda Leighton) for one terrible woman. His daughter, Ann (Ellen Willard), is beside herself, knowing well Burt's new partner (Shirley Ballard) is out for money. Period.

As with series tradition, Rita (Ballard) hasn't got long to go and Burt's ranch foreman, Dixon (Frank Maxwell) stands accused of murder, requiring Perry to defend him. By far, not an open and shut case when you consider all the people who proceed to shade the truth for some strange reason. Most fantastic add to the mystery -- without giving too much away -- one of the last on the stand bolts for the courtroom window and ALMOST jumps into the street below!

Definitely, very good acting on everyone's part, thanks to director Laslo Benedek, who years earlier directed DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Frank Maxwell is a welcome addition, a memorable actor who turned up everywhere on tv, known for FELONY SQUAD, later GENERAL HOSPITAL. Shirley Ballard was at one time married to Jason Evers. All purpose character actor Richard Deacon plays Wilmer.

Just when you think you've got it, comes a twist. Watch and enjoy the courtroom showdown. Best of SEASON 4 EPISODE 11 remastered CBS dvd box set. Volumes 1 and 2. Thanks much to METV for running these oldies twice a day.

Unlike a lot of Perry Mason episodes this one has the identity of the perpetrator practically screaming at you. You so want it to be this individual that in the end you are so happy it is.

Raymond Burr's client in this story is Frank Maxwell who is ranch foreman for John Archer. Archer is getting married again to Shirley Ballard who is a no- account unapologetic gold digger. That's leaving former wife Linda Leighton and daughter Ellen Wilard most unhappy.

The trouble that Burr has is that no one including his client is being truthful with him or on the witness stand. All are trying to protect someone else.

The climax is not in the courtroom, but it is a highly dramtic ending and yes we're so happy at who is revealed to have done the deed.

A teenage girl and some red riding boots, sounds kinda like a gimmicky series TV episode doesn't it? Well, in this case don't be deceived by the title, its an excellent filmed drama more like a serious movie. I don't know how this little group of actors managed to create such good character relationships within the constraints of weekly series TV production, but they manage to collectively rise above "just another week's episode of television". Also, the direction and editing are above average for the quickly made series TV genre as a whole.

This drama also features a fully focused, believable and sincere performance by Raymond Burr. No courtroom shenanigans this week. Burr's career was a long grinding one that mostly emphasized enormous quantity of work over quality, but Burr almost always did a good job and he really delivers in "The Case of the Red Riding Boots".

This whole episode is slightly a change of pace for the Mason series and features a different, highly absorbing ending. On a sad note, Tragg (portrayed by Ray Collins) is only seen sitting down in every scene and is obviously frail. He was very ill during the latter years of the series and died before "Perry Mason" ran its course.

I recommend this one-hour drama as a chance to view a rare example of quality television product.

Another episode without D.A. Hamilton Burger (William Talman). However there is a short scene in what appears to be Lt. Tragg's office between Tragg and Perry. Then Perry also questions one of the suspects (Joe Dixon) in the same office. I believe this is the first time we see this office. Perhaps the Producers would continue to use the Tragg office set if William Talman didn't return to the series. (Not a Spoiler: D.A. Burger does of course return to the series.) I gave this episode 9/10 because there are several good, unexpected plot twists.