The Case of the Impatient Partner

This episode involves a paint company that has two owners. Amory Fallon is the main owner and has been down in Mexico City for over a month on business. Ned Thompson is the other owner that has been running the company's day-to-day operation.

When Amory returns from Mexico he goes to check on some papers he needs for a project the company was involved. He finds out that the files, that were suppose to be located in his office, had been moved and a fire had destroyed them. Amory believes something is afoot and that his partner is behind the entire situation.

When Amory thinks his wife is having an affair with Thompson, he goes out drinking. While drunk he goes to confront Thompson. Later Ned Thompson is found dead and the evidence points to Amory as the murderer. Perry will defend Amory in court against charges brought by Burger and Tragg.

This was an entertaining episode that kept the viewer guessing till the very end. There is also a nice exchange of legal matters between Perry and Hamilton Burger that is always enjoyable to watch. But once Perry reveals the true murderer in court we get a confession from the court gallery that appears someone was pushing for a TV Emmy. Anyway it was still a nice mystery.

Sometimes overacting gets in the way. There is a lot of emoting on these Perry Mason dramas, but this one really cranks up the juices. There is some huge jealousy going on at a paint company. Also, the co-owners don't get along, one almost beside himself with fury, striking out at everyone. The first partner is killed and suspicion goes to partner two. He is so emotional that he can't sit still. He won't even talk to his wife and accused her of being unfaithful with the first guy. Loony Tunes.

Perry Mason is one of my favorite TV series. I have seen every episode thanks to METV and a DVR; most multiple times. It is rare that I give an episode anything less than an 8 (certainly 7) rating. I find this episode to be poorly written, and acted.

Wesley Lau is really over the top in the early scenes as a business owner investigating a fire at his company, while suspecting his wife of infidelity with his partner. A season later, Lau would gradually move into the role of Lt. Andy Anderson, when Ray Collins became ill. It is not my favorite casting decision from the show, but that is a subject for another time.

The courtroom confession might be the most ridiculous in the show's history; a serious case of overacting.

I am a big fan of Perry Mason, and I have been watching all the episodes, in order, on dvds. I notice that this episode feels a little different. I think it has to do with the writing. This episode is still good and interesting, but most of the time, the series sets such a high standard, some episodes will inevitably not be A+ quality.

For one thing, the action seems a little choppy; the scene transitions just aren't as smooth as usual. Also, often the suspect character, Perry's client, is really likeable or somewhat so, and you have empathy for them. Here, Wesley Lau's character comes off as an irritating jerk for the first half. It's hard to like him. On the plus side: all the actors are good; Ray Collins is in this one; and Leslie Parrish adds her charm and beauty to the episode. One thing I always like about the show: they always, I think, have several exterior scenes, so you see cool cars and so on. A lot of the early series look and feel like they never got out of the sound stage. No so Perry Mason! So, watch this one, it's worth seeing.

A very badly directed and poor casting on this episode. The main cast was okay but the guest actors did a very poor job. This show did improve over time but not this episode.