Perry Mason

[John]

Perry Mason, starring Raymond Burr, is the classic courtroom drama TV series from the late 1950s/early 1960s. It is based on the characters created by Erle Stanlet Gardener.

We have now watched all of Season One and have started on the newly released Season Two.

The black and white prints are excellent, the sound is spot on and the series never ceases to delight. Great scripts, great acting and each episode is a puzzle that we can try to solve as the plot progresses.

Is it dated? Well of course in one way it has to be, but it wears very well and you can tell that this was prime time quality TV. The production standards are high and each episode is carefully shot on black and white film.

[John]

We're now in Season 5 and I've seen the first scenes in an episode that I actually remember from the first airings in the 1960s.

It's all splendid entertainment!

[John]

We finished all nine seasons and they are sitting on the shelf ready for another run through sometimes when the mood strikes. The standard kept up very well all through to the end and some episodes lifted themselves into the area of considered debate on legal problems, way beyond the basic remit of most court room dramas.

The black and white episodes are much grittier and harder than the later colour films. They seem to have an edge that is missing from the later, softer colour.

In any event, if you have never seen any of the original black and white Perry Masons, then please try to as they are well worth the effort of discovering them.