The Case of the Scarlet Scandal

The set-up on this one left me scratching my head. The storyline felt very contrived and lacked any sort of believability. I was left feeling like I was watching a cartoon version of a murderous fairy tale. Ham-fisted direction led to overacting, as each of characters almost seemed to be caricatures of themselves. Another voluntary admission of guilt from the gallery (which occurred FAR too often) just made the whole thing unsatisfactory. I have to assume there was a rush to get some of the episodes in production, as this one seemed to have needed several more re-writes that it never got. And Perry made the Sheriff look like a fool...

Just watching it again

So who killed her, there was no continuity and I could fathom out the killer at the end

This particular episode started with Perry Mason and the ever-ubiquitous Paul Drake taking some well deserved time off, as they embark on a fishing trip, some good distance from Los Angeles...on their way, they must make a pit stop at the estate of Mason's client, Richard Bayler, a very influential and wealthy, but nasty, businessman. Upon their arrival, they learn that the ill tempered and demanding magnate's wife, Elaine, a patron of the arts, was murdered the previous evening and suspicions soon point to outsider musician, Don Hobart, the recipient of her financial aid and support. It becomes quite evident that Mr. Bayler owns the small town and a majority of its residents(with exception of Don and his girlfriend, Cynthia Perkins), so when the Sheriff's office, the media(notably, the newspaper which Mr. Bayler owns), and the townsfolk turn against the accused, Perry fears mob justice! Eventually, the charges are dropped against Mr. Hobart and he is released, but they then take Cynthia, an expert marksman, into police custody. Perry gallantly postpones his vacation and agrees to handle her case. Of course, Perry is able to clear the Defendant and is finally preparing for his well earned date with a rod and reel, when Della informs that the fishing season has officially ended! I did wonder why Paul seemed so eager to dissuade Della, when it appeared that she wanted to glom onto their trip...did he think that she would bellyache and moan about having to bait her hook, the smell of the slimy fish and/or the rocking of the boat?!? Personally, I think she would've been fun to have along, but maybe Paul just wanted some guy time with his bro, Perry!

On Perry's way on a fishing trip, Paul and he drive over to Mr Richard Bayler's house so that he can sign some legal papers. Upon arriving they have found out that Bayler's wife, Elaine, had been shot and killed the night before and they have a young man named Donald Hobart in custody.

Donald, a musician, had been living in a cottage owned by the Baylers while he wrote songs for Ms Bayler. While Donald and his girlfriend, Cynthia Perkins, were at the cottage, Ms Bayler comes walking in and demands that Donald go with her. She has a letter that is blackmailing her saying that Ms Bayler and Donald was having an affair. A note tells her to leave money in a park so Elaine gets Donald to deliver the money. When Donald gets out to place the money, Elaine is shot and killed. Donald is arrested.

In this small community, Mr Bayler controls nearly all aspects of the town. With nearly all lawyers refusing to go against Bayler, Perry is asked to defend Dan. When Mr Bayler finds out that Perry is asked to defend the accused- Bayler demands Perry to leave or he will not be his lawyer anymore. Perry advises that that he will return Mr Bayler's retainer because no one will order him about.

But when evidence is gathered by the sheriff department, Cynthia Perkins will be charged with the murder and Perry will defend her in court.

In rushed courtroom scenes. Perry will question the witnesses until a surprising result develops. Someone that appears to be innocent will make a terrible mistake and will lead to Perry getting the charges of murder against Cynthia dripped.

The show was top notch until we get to the courtroom. I guess they spent so much time with the story that when the courtroom scenes began it was rushed to get the result in the allotted time. Too bad- It finished poorly after such a great start. But it was a nice watch as Perry has some good lines in the episode.

It's not often that lawyers will fling a $10,000.00 retainer back in the face of their client. But when a certain sense of injustice and mob violence starts hitting the small town that he and Paul Drake arrive in to deliver some papers for client Lloyd Gough, Raymond Burr sees Gough stirring up a lynch mentality against Will Hutchins. His sense of justice aroused Burr tells Gough what he can do with his retainer and returns it to him to do it.

But later on its Luana Patten who's been seeing Hutchins that is arrested for the shooting death of Mala Powers who is Mrs. Gough. Perry defends her at the preliminary hearing and of course uncovers the real killer.

Forensics help in this one, in fact they're crucial. William Hopper does his detective work in that part of the case ably assisted by Clinton Sundberg the local police laboratory chief.

This episode features an unusual twist in the Perry Mason parameter, but the parameter holds true.