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.

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!

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.

The final season of the series MAY have been the most offbeat, with the introduction of some truly unsual cases. It could have all been a lark, however it made for some very intriguing mysteries. This may have all began with the famous "gorilla episode," from Season Eight. A possibility. Only debit, the last season was not filmed in color, except for the final episode. That would have been the cherry on top.

Popular actress Jean Hale (who made two appearances on the show) plays Carla Chaney, held for murdering her ex-boyfriend, also starting a riot in jail! She has gone through several attorneys, and now it's Perry's turn. What makes the case so bizarre is Carla claims the killer has a very peculiar laugh? Bottom line, it's all about a laugh.

She also claims to have seen the killer in question (a woman) on tv, a beautiful and wealthy lady called Leona, best played by Constance Towers. It comes down to a she said/she said feud between Carla and Leona.

Great supporting cast, and with the introduction of Richard Anderson as Lt. Drumm and popular character actor Dan Tobin as Terrence. I agree with the last reviewer, John Abbott is a hoot as the speech pathologist who tries to connect the laugh.

Alison Hayes, who appeared five times on the series, plays Cho Sin. Master character actor Bernard Fox (known for BEWITCHED and HOGANS HEROES) plays Peter.

Flawless direction by series director Jessie Hibbs, who later headed the FBI tv series. Note, Jean Hale passed in 2021.

SEASON 9 EPISODE 1 remastered CBS dvd box set.

Volume 1 released 2013. 4 dvd set. Collectors Edition.

I must agree with the reviews I've read. The only thing I'd add would be that I'm just a little disappointed the the great John Dall wasn't given more screen time. He was always so good at being the slimy, slick, creepy guy that you HAD to know was slithering around in the background with ill intent. He had that smooth voice that went right with the parts he usually got, but on Mason, he was at his seediest.