The Case of the Weary Watchdog

This episode gives a good indication of how close Perry Mason and Della Street are. Della has a good friend in Mala Powers who is being blackmailed by an Oriental art dealer played by John Dall in one of his fine epicene characterizations.

Without question Barbara Hale promises to $25,000.00 for Powers no questions asked. And of course she goes to Raymond Burr who gives her a check no questions asked. But Dall wants to squeeze Powers a little more and later on he winds up dead. This is truly one of those public service homicides.

So with that kind of character there's a good list of suspects out there that are alternative perpetrators. Dall had a number of criminal enterprises including some activity with a government in those days we were forbidden dealings with, that being the People's Republic Of China.

Of course Barbara Hale was never really in trouble though the DA made noise about holding her as an accomplice. Trouble for her would be when she's arrested for murder in the first Perry Mason TV movie twenty years later.

Then Della Street really needs the services of Perry Mason.

You know the routine. A character with multiple potential enemies is killed and Perry Mason's client looks extremely guilty due to the circumstances of the case in the first half. In the second half, usually in a pretrial hearing, Perry (with help from his able assistants) finds out who the real murderer is, usually eliciting a witness stand confession, or one from the gallery. Tried and true, and fits the 52 minute time frame.

This episode has Perry MUCH more busy, involved in the murder case, but also an important accessory murder case and a Grand Theft case.

When Hamilton Burger's jaw drops a little more deeply than it usually does, you can almost feel for the man.

Tightly written, well thought out, and Perry's knowledge of ugly art (look at his office!) comes into play here. A great episode for fans of the series or even those who just want an engaging Whodunnit.

This is one of my favorite Mason episodes. It takes place in Chinatown and involves social issues of the immigrant population. Keye Luke (number on son of Charlie Chan) is there, quoting a few too many Chinese aphorisms in a stereotypical way. But there is double dealing, the murder of a despicable man, and Della getting into a situation where she could serve time. We also have a rule of law we have not seen before. Very good.

One of the best with Della at her best. Dall makes you want to slap him in every scene. He plays smarmy well.

Ok, my title is weak, but so are the myriad of contrived old Chinese sayings that are riddled throughout the episode which for me was really distracting and groan inducing... Then there is a Chinese woman, played by a white woman. Yeesh!

The stereotypical portrayal of ethnic people in the older days is on full display and sometimes, to the point of being comical.

To be honest, I'm never offended by the portrayals of ethnic folks in Hollywood, today or back then.

The episode in every other way is great!!!