The Case of the Wrathful Wraith

Who else better to write this macabre story than the likes of Henry Farrell, who wrote two of the greatest movie chillers, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE and HUSH, HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE, both starring Bette Davis.

Henry did a fabulous job here, a story all about a woman called Louise (played by Marian McCargo) believed to have killed her husband --but there's no body? Next there's some EERIE seances, rumors that Louise is slowly going insane(!) and a situation where the supposed dead man comes back to life? A perfect puzzler for Perry Mason.

Fun stuff, and as I have noted before, the final season was one of the best because all story options were on the table. Somehow the more offbeat, it all clicked, and the acting always above par.

Marian McCargo, prior to her screen career, was a recognized national tennis champion who later married California state Rep Alfonzo Bell, and also helped him raise his sons. Yes, she does resemble actress Dina Merrill. Look for Don Dillaway, playing a reporter. Best known (to all us movie buffs) for playing a young soldier father (killed in battle) in the goofy Laurel and Hardy comedy, PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES (1932). Not to be missed.

Trying to figure this one out is worth the investment.

SEASON 9 EPISODE 9 remastered CBS dvd box set. Volumes 1 and 2. Released 2013. The entire series, by popular demand, now in a single mega box. A gift to treasure.

Not exactly an original plot (by far), but this one is melodrama on steroids. Marian McCargo's character is far too gullible and unstable to demand much sympathy. While it's always a pleasure to see Jeanne Bal, in this one she's miscast -- her portrayal is too enabling (she does much better when her characters have more "oomph"). The insurance investigator looks like a cross between Ted Cassidy and David McCallum. It is what it is, I suppose...

The defendant is such a mess that even though she get off, she will fly off the rails if she sees a mouse. The plot is one of those where a guy is thought to be dead, his wife is charged, and he shows up alive later in the show. I have to agree with the person who talked about how unsympathetic her character was. Perry didn't want her institutionalized but treatment for mental illness wouldn't be a bad idea.

Would have liked this episode if the client hadn't been so tiresome and irritating. I had thought Perry's client who was the probation officer that rushed to the aid of his old girlfriend was my least favorite, or Noah Berry acting as the hick husband were worse,Oh, there are so many unlikeable clients. Ms McCargo plays a hysterical, whining rich woman who is so stupid, who would care if she's framed for murder? Her character has to be really irritating if I give a one star to a Raymond Burr show. I know strong, confident women were rare in those old shows, with Della as the exception. Honey West was an exception, too, but that's another show

Best line ever from Della. I have been rewatching Perry Mason episodes and have to say season 9 has been so much better than the previous seasons 6,7,8. The past few seasons spent almost too much time on the guest stars with very little interaction between Perry, Paul and Della.. especially Della seemed relegated to the background.

This episode was entertaining and a little spooky.. Perry represents a woman (Marian McCargo) who is accused of murdering her husband and he gets her off not in the court of public opinion.

Afterwards strange things start to happen to her such as disappearing items, a strange man lurking outside her house, ghostly visitations.. the usual twists and turns. Did not care for the acting of Marion McCargo, who was too over the top and annoying, but enjoyed the plot. Over the years Perry Mason touched on some interesting topics.. tabloids, mental health, teenage angst, protests, domestic violence, unwed mothers. Perry was always had a moral compass and tried to do the right thing even when odds were against him. The characters of this show have always been endearing which to me is why the show remains a classic .. even with its shortfalls of crazy plots, courtroom outbursts and overacting guest stars.