The Case of the Laughing Lady

The story centers around "Gerald Havens" an uncast murder victim that we learn was blackmailing the Devore gallery as to Chinese art reproductions that were being sold in the gallery at full price. Carla Cheney is the defendant that watches, with other women prisoners, a TV program of a society fund raising auction--put on by Leona Devore--who Carla claims was at the murder site, and associates the haunting laugh with her--who she believes killed her old boyfriend, Gerald.

An interesting subplot is that Della interjects about Lenore (Constance Towers) is that "She's beautiful," and Perry ends up being unusually kind in his treatment of a woman who he discovered lied about her alibi, witnessed at the murder scene by his client, and had the motive to kill the blackmailer.

This is the first episode of Season 9, and introduces Dan Tobin as the restaurant/bar owner frequented by Steve Drum (Richard Anderson) and Hamilton Burger.

Not a great episode for a season opener--but an important episode to understand what were the thoughts in production this final year.

The case itself is interesting. A prisoner hears a laugh during a TV program and realizes it is that of a woman for whom she is serving a sentence. Perry gets a back strain from twisting and helping her amid negative evidence. All that is fine. The problem is the conclusion. It is a childish one not deserving of the show.

A hard and bitter Jean Hale locked up in LA County Jail for a murder she didn't commit while watching television sees the woman she thinks did the crime and hears the same maniacal laughter she heard that night. After getting out of solitary from the riot she started, Hale finds she has a new attorney in the person of Perry Mason. That should tell you right away she didn't do it.

The whole thing in this episode is identifying that same rather unique laugh and during the course of the investigation Raymond Burr and William Hopper run into Professor John Abbott who happens to be a speech pathologist. His expertise becomes invaluable.

The murderer and the laughter are identified. But wait till you see what the solution was. Rather intriguing for this episode of Perry Mason.

Others have made good comments about the plot, so I want to focus on some other points. One of the reasons I enjoy this series so much, is that it is consistently classy. Take a good look at the big restaurant where Perry & Co. Meet Hamilton Burger and Steve Drum, the new police lieutenant. That restaurant set is very carefully done; it really looks like a high-end place. The series always paid special attention to having outstanding sets, mansions, outdoor scenes, you name it. Compared to other series of its period (the color Westerns excepted) PM just did all that better than other shows.

Another point: while Perry's client this time is not some sophisticated rich person (quite the opposite!) he does have to probe into a world full of rich people, and their hangers-on. So many of Perry's cases do involve wealthy individuals, who quite often turn out to be the villains!

One of the many nice things about this series: everybody is so well dressed, especially the ladies! This series had great style!

One minor but fun point: I recognized the judge in this episode. In a 1940's Charlie Chan film, he played a pyscho killer! It took me aback to see him on the bench!

The Case of the Laughing Lady.

Episode aired Sep 12, 1965 1h.

Jean Hale!

The last scene is perhaps my most favorite of all 271 episodes.

Carla Chaney is in Perry's office settling her bill.

She figures $75 in expenses and 4 days in court at $25/day or $100 for a total of $175.

Perry has Della bring in the account.

It shows a charge of $1705.40.

He says $100 in expenses and $15/day for a total of $160.

It's a classic exchange.

Bernard Fox as Peter Stange is a nice addition. He was in a very good Columbo episode, too.

During the murder there were 3 people at the house.

The murderer, Carla Chaney, and Leona Devore, plus the shrill and squawky bird.