This is a list of episodes for Perry Mason, an American legal drama series that aired on CBS television for nine seasons (September 21, 1957 – May 22, 1966).
[28]: 23 [29][30] Written and directed like a film noir second feature,[28]: 25 it was a hit with CBS executives and earned the series a good time slot for the 1957–58 season.
"Although Gardner's Mason had often maneuvered so successfully on his clients' behalf that they never had to appear in court", wrote film scholar Thomas Leitch, "television episodes without such scenes are highly unusual.
William Talman (Hamilton Burger) was fired by CBS March 18, 1960, hours after he entered a not-guilty plea to misdemeanor charges related to his presence at a party that was raided by police.
[49] In October 1962, Gail Patrick Jackson announced that four episodes from season six would feature special guest stars who would cover for Raymond Burr during his convalescence from surgery.
[q] Perry Mason fan Bette Davis began filming "The Case of Constant Doyle" (episode 6–16) December 12, 1962.
[50] To provide continuity, brief scenes were shot in Burr's hospital room that showed Mason speaking on the phone to each of the attorney friends who was managing his caseload while he was in Europe.
[50][52] "The Case of the Capering Camera" (episode 7–15), filmed in October 1963, marks the last appearance by Ray Collins as the irascible and often-incorrect Lt.
[26]: 194 "The Case of the Dead Ringer" (episode 9-26) features Burr in a unique dual role, playing Mason and his doppelgänger, a grizzled seadog hired to impersonate and discredit him.
[62]: 32188 Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner makes his sole appearance as an actor, playing the judge presiding at the second trial.