The Case of the Shapely Shadow

In a unique episode, the viewer will be treated to many aspects that are rare in 'Perry Mason' regular shows. Instead of a preliminary hearing this case will be heard in front of a jury. Perry rest the defensive side of the hearing without presenting any evidence. And we get to hear closing arguments present to the jury. This is unusual in most regular episodes from the series.

When a homely secretary, Janice Wainwright, becomes suspicious about her boss, Morley Theilman, being blackmailed she goes to see Perry for advice. Seems that she is to leave a suitcase filled with money in the a Union Station locker and mail the key to an person only known by a general address.

When her boss, Theilman, disappears she becomes even more suspicious when the police visit her apartment asking about his whereabouts. Seems even his wife of four years believes that that her husband may be having an affair with his secretary, Ms Wainwright.

Perry becomes suspicious of Ms Wainwrights actions when she quickly takes a train to Las Vegas. When the train arrives in Vegas, Perry is waiting on the platform (having taken a plane) and instead of meeting the homely Ms Wainwright- she is now stunning with a new make-over. And not only that, she is meeting her bosses ex-wife in Vegas.

It is not long before Morley Theilman's body is discovered at a vacant house owned by his company. And through circumstantial evidence the entire murder points to the lovely Ms Wainwright. But Perry does not lose faith and will defend her in court against Hamilton Burger's claims of murder for money. Perry will have to gamble in the courtroom as he does his best to defend Ms Wainwright on the mounds of evidence presented.

A very good story with an interesting mystery. Perry is at the top on his game in this episode.

As other reviewers have already stated, this is a very different PM episode. There are considerable clues and intrigue to keep the viewer interested. The ensemble cast does a great job here, and there is little if any overacting. Direction is good, and the scenes flow together quite well. Elaine DeVry portrays the vulnerable and naive secretary Janice Wainwright very believably, and a shout-out to Robert Rockwell's reaction at the conclusion. The highlight, however, is William Tallman's incredulous reaction to Perry's courtroom bluff -- it makes all the set-up and red-herrings worth it in the end. It's really too bad that more of the shows didn't play out this well.

...at one point during the episode, Perry and Della meet Janice in Las Vegas, where the Vegas Police Lietenant remains nds Perry that he can't even represent anyone in a Nevada traffic court....

...the logic failure here is glaring...as a high-powered LA attorney , Perry would have routinely represented clients living in or with business dealings/holdings in Nevada...and would have msintsined s license to practice law in Nevada courts...

This is really interesting in its scope. It has much more of an edge to it than most Mason shows. Burger is so often seen as sort of a wimp, never getting is way, and taking it. Here he goes head to head with Mason and the courtroom scene where everything is on the line is quite engaging. It also has a many layered plot with subterfuge involved.

Although the naiveté of Elaine Devry's character was a bit much to swallow and Perry Mason goes to great lengths to keep her off the stand this episode this episode is historic for one reason. Poor Hamilton Burger is left sputtering over the Mason trickery more than usual.

Devry comes to Raymond Burr with a suitcase that her boss gave her to deliver to some party. And she also has a blackmail note retrieved from her boss's trash. Afterward however boss George Neisse is murdered and the cops are looking at her.

There's a good collection of alternative suspects as Neisse was involved in a proxy fight to retain control of his company. But in the end William Talman is forced to call a witness that Burr wanted on the stand. This was after Talman was led into blurting out evidence not introduced in a summation and Burr motions for a mistrial.

The sight of a sputtering William Talman makes this episode memorable. Although Burr could easily have just called that witness for a defense he didn't present. But it wouldn't have been any fun.