It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Erle Stanley Gardener’s fictional lawyer-detective, Perry Mason. And I will go to my grave believing the definitive interpretation of this character was done by Raymond Burr in the 1957-1966 run of the TV program.
On this site, I’ve written numerous time over the past 15 years about various Perry Mason TV episodes, the books being reprinted, etc. Now, I’m pleased to note that the first five seasons of the original Perry Mason TV show are available to Amazon Prime members on Prime Video.
So why should you view Perry Mason episodes on Amazon Prime instead of cable channels MeTV or FeTV? Because the cable channels edit the episodes to fit in up to 20 minutes of commercials. The episodes on Amazon Prime are without commercials and are their original length of 52 minutes long. You would be amazed how many scenes are cut from these TV episodes so that the TV stations can sell you brighter toothpaste.
If you decide to watch on Amazon Prime, let me recommend two episodes from the first season that are worth your time and I won’t spoil them for you.
– The Case of the Moth-Eaten Mink – This was the 13th episode to air, but it was also the pilot for the TV series. The actors are feeling their way into the characters. Della Street calls Mason “Chief” and “Sir” just as she does in the books. Paul Drake endlessly complains about being dragged away from his poker games. The episode, however, was one of the best “Film Noir” episodes presented on TV during that time by any TV program. This is one of the most faithful teleplays to the book ever presented.
– The Case of the Baited Hook – This was the 14th episode of the series and is worth the viewing because of the interaction/ dialogue between police Lt. Tragg and Mason throughout the episode. Also, Mason is given a large sum of money as a retainer (a $10,000 bank note – worth more than $91,000 today). The murder in this case is solved without going to trial. Geraldine Wall portrays Abigail Esther Leeds and her performance is nothing short of fantastic. She is exactly the character written about in the book. She is funny and worth watching.
Check out the first five seasons of Perry Mason on Amazon Prime. You won’t be disappointed.
