The Case of the Silent Partner

A box of chocolates is at the center of this episode. It involves a possible poisoning and some greed. There is an effort to get hold of shares of a florist's shop through illegal means. The conclusion shows some good writing.

This plot to this episode is one that is rather simple. A man in a card game loses big and gives away a large portion of his stock option in a company. And to make even matters more elementary the company is a orchid business. Not a business that would be a situation on TV today but in this episode it comes across well with fine acting doing most of the work for this episode. Starts off kinda slow but takes off like a jet after reaching the fifteen minute mark.

The orchid business is run by Bob and Mildred Kimber (Mark Robert and Anne Barton). Bob loses his stock option in a card game run by Sam Lynk (Michael Emmet) who runs something like a speak-easy somewhere in LA. And like something out of the 1930's, the card room is smoky, has a rough gangster type Harry Marlow (Dan Seymour) and a dumb blond walking around the room named Lola Florey (Peggy Maley).

After Mildred finds out that Lynk has the stock she does a dumb thing in any Perry episode- she goes over to see Mr Lynk. She finds him dead. Shot in the chest with her husband's, Bob Kimber, gun. And guess who has the gun in their possession when the police arrive?- yep, Mildred Kimber.

Mildred is charged with the murder of Mr Lynk and Perry agrees to defend her in court. But there is a lot more going on in this episode. From Perry finding murder victims, to poison candy, then arson and also a spoiled Paraffin test-and with the verbal sparing between Perry, Hamilton Burger and Lt Tragg--this show is pack with good stuff.

Also the acting in this episode was good. The people were casted very well for the parts played. Peggy Maley (wonder what ever happened to her) as the blond, and Dan Seymour as the mobster type was excellent. They came across as real people instead of actors playing a part. Plus an energetic Perry and a upset cop named Lt Tragg adds volumes to this episode. The first episode that has no courtroom scenes.

A simple story that turned into a good Perry episode.

For lovers of film noir be sure to tune into this episode of Perry Mason. Almost all the noir tropes are here, and it'll remind you quite a bit of 'The Big Sleep.' And that should come as no surprise since the director of this episode edited that classic film.

Anne Barton and Mark Roberts own a nursery business. But Barton has some serious health issues having just recovered from a heart attack and Roberts is a drinker. An easy mark for Michael Emmett who has a gambling house and who is in business with Dan Seymour who owns a chain of florist shops and wants in on the Barton-Roberts business. They arrange a nice poker game with marked cards.

When Emmett is found shot to death it's sickly Barton who gets charged who implicates herself thinking Roberts did it.

This one never gets to court as Perry Mason figures this one out on his own and gift wraps it for the LAPD and Ray Collins.

Kudos for brassy Peggy Maley who is a hostess at the gambling emporium. She's always good.

This episode from the great first season has, as usual, an excellent cast. Dan Seymour is wonderfully sleazy as the "Petunia King" Harry Marlow attempting to take over Mildred Kimber's Orchids Unlimited business by arranging a crooked card game with club owner Sam Lynk and Mildred's weakling husband Bob Kimber. I have a sneaking liking for Dan Seymour's character, who remains calm despite all provocations, including being slapped by Mildred and insulted by others. Despite her serious illness, Mildred is just as annoying as her husband. Both are co-dependents in a folie à deux marriage, she constantly covering up for his manifest derelictions. Then there is Peggy Maley as Lola Florey in her all-too-vulgar evening gown with pointed "roofs" over the bust.

The story leaves one question unanswered, however: who has the stock shares for Orchids Unlimited that Bob Kimber brought to the poker game and that disappeared from Sam Lynk's home? Marlow and Mildred do not have them; does Lola?