The Case of the Sausalito Sunrise

Here we go again -- another re-write from season one. But in this case, despite knowing from the very beginning how it would all play out, it was still a very watchable episode. The episode it's based on (The Case of the Moth-Eaten Mink) is my favorite of the series, so I'll admit my bias right off.

That said, I think the writers did a good job of changing the aspects of the case to keep it interesting, despite knowing how the basic plot would run its course.

There was good chemistry in the scenes with Richard Anderson and Mark Tapscott -- with the former being obviously emotionally involved while the latter remained more emotionally detached (yet with the same perceived goal) -- and for good reason.

I also liked the similarities to scenes from the film "Bullitt", one of my favorite movies. Bravo.

Perry Mason defends two people accused in the murder of a cop and of a trucking company executive. The killings are a month apart, but they do tie in together and knowing that should tell you who the real killer is because Raymond Burr defends no guilty clients.

This episode involves William Hopper going undercover with the trucking company and nearly getting killed in a hijack attempt. In fact one of the hijackers is killed so there are three killings in this particular episode.

There is a trial or a preliminary hearing before a judge, I guess that is California's version of a Grand Jury. But the murderer is discovered by Burr and confesses in an entirely different place. And that individual is really the only possible suspect when you figure it out logically.

When I guess the murderer the Perry Mason episode rates less, but for the change of where the confession is obtained the episode gets marks for originality.

In this unique episode, Paul Drake truly shines. He has no less then five scenes in which he is the main player with his many talents as a P. I. and as a character are on display. William Hopper shows a full range of character and emotions as he goes undercover, carries a gun and even gets handcuffed.

As well, this is one of the most complex and exciting episodes of the entire series. There are art thefts, kidnap attempts, truck hijackings, a car chase, two murders (one a month before the start), two disappearing clients, and an openly angry Perry Mason.

An exceptional episode for the final season.

The other reviews touch all the main points to discuss: this is an episode with a lot of action and in which Paul Drake takes a surprising role. Although how and when Perry realized that 'his' case and that Paul's work for the trucking company were related, I'm not sure.

However, I didn't get to watch this episode on DVD or 'in full' via some other method. I watched it on TV, and it's likely that a minute was snipped here and a scene cut here to fit it in the TV schedule. Therefore I might have missed a scene that deals with pertinent facts of the case.

So my question is this: if only Paul and the trucking company owner knew what route Paul would be driving, who tipped off the hijackers? It was mentioned prominently that nobody knew the route--certainly not the stolen art ring-leader--so the question remains... who was it??

BTW, Della looked lovely in that first scene at the art gallery. Very chic with the upswept hair.

There were lot of twists and turns in this one. We had a couple overzealous cops who had such tunnel vision they couldn't move forward. Both Paul and Perry are out investigating and facing danger. Paul on the road with a semi and Perry facing a gun. Still, it is never clear who did it and the result was quite satisfactory.