The Ides of Perry Mason 99

Note: Contemporary TV dramas often rely on frequent recaps and flashbacks, catering to viewers who are half-distracted by their phones. By contrast, the classic Perry Mason series offers no such concessions: miss a few minutes, and you risk losing track of a crucial relationship or plot twist. The show assumes - and rewards - your full attention.

The Best Episodes of Season 6 (1962-63)

The Case of the Shoplifter's Shoe. Grown up Margaret O’Brien plays an earnest niece who feels compelled to clean up the messes of her batty aunt, played by Lureen Tuttle with her usual ease. O’Brien gets to do her signature crying and semi-hysteria both in a cell and on the stand. James Millhollin plays yet another fussbudget in a brief scene. So much fun. It’s satisfying to see actors playing the parts they are good at. But in a refreshing change, it’s also cool to see Leonard Nimoy playing an obnoxious hood who’s also an abusive husband. The fine acting makes up for unsound plot twists in a feverish episode.

The Case of the Witless Witness. A respected judge accepts the nomination to be Lt. Governor. We viewers must wonder why a gifted man of probity and integrity in an influential position of power would want such a ridiculous job as Lt. Governor. But we are distracted from these skeptical musings when the judge is accused of fraud and poisoning the witness against him. With the intensity of a movie, this is the most sophisticated episode in that it examines scams and corruption in high places during WWII, the spite of unrequited love, and the wages of overweening ambition. Robert Middleton plays the judge with an appealing blend of legal intellect and gravitas but lacking in emotional intelligence. Jackie Coogan plays a naughty fixer. Our buddy Vaughn Taylor has good scenes before he’s ushered from this vale of tears, sloppy drunk and babbling. This one is in my Top Five Fave Episodes.

The Case of the Double-Entry Mind (11/1/62). Clem “Sandy” Sandover is played by Stu Erwin, who used his basset hound face and manner to portray Every Man, from mild-mannered school principal to small town little guy. In this one he plays a conniving worm of a bookkeeper who has looted his company of $201,000. He has done so to win the affections of greedy sly Lita Krail, the office manager of the company. Erwin pulls out the stops in incredible scenes. In the famous in film noir Bradbury Building, his descent of a cool Art Deco staircase while his mini-tape recorder mocks him with his own voice symbolizes his descent into madness and violence. When he realizes that Lita has betrayed him he wails, “And I bought a sport coat!” Oddly enough, his wife is one who ends up defended by Perry. This episode is also in my Top Five Fave Episodes.

Honorable Mention: In TCOT Potted Planter, Constance Ford plays a scheming sister-in-law in a dramatic story of passions and hatreds in a small-town. In TCOT Velvet Claws, Patricia Barry plays a mendacious femme fatale who manages to stick with her bald-faced lies until merciless Perry breaks her down to a sobbing mess on the floor in the most amazing interrogation scene of all 271 episodes.  

Veterans Day 2025

Fortunate Son: The Healing of a Vietnam Vet - Lewis B. Puller, Jr.

In the first part of this autobiography, Puller tells how hard it was to be the son of the most decorated Marine in the in the history of the Corps, Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller Sr.  Talk about larger than life! Marines told Chesty stories such as the time Puller was shown the prototype of a flamethrower. He asked, “Where does the bayonet go?”

The second part covers Puller’s combat experience in Vietnam. Puller joined the Marines after graduating from the College of William and Mary in 1967. The following summer he married Linda, nicknamed Toddy. He was sent to Vietnam as a second lieutenant

After two months in the field - every day an eternity - on October 11, 1968 he stepped on a mine booby trap. “I had no idea,” he wrote, “that the pink mist that engulfed me had been caused by the vaporization of most of my right and left legs.” He lost parts of both hands and most of his buttocks and stomach too. Doctors later gave testimony before a pension benefit board that they had rarely seen any survivor who was as gravely wounded and disabled as Puller.

The next part of the book is about his physical therapy and the long road to the point where he could resume his life. As illness memoir, this will fascinate readers who are curious about physical therapy to rehab lower limb amputees. Puller tells funny stories about the antics of fellow patient Bob Kerrey, who was to pull antics of a Senatorial sort during the Clinton years. Puller became the proud father of two children. He earned a law degree at William and Mary in 1974 and went to work for the government in Veterans Affairs.

In 1978 he ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for an eastern Virginia congressional seat. This section of the book is interesting too because it tells about the grind of a campaign, the chuckle-headedness of some voters and the spite and malice of politicians.

He ran against the canny and skillful Paul S. Trible, who later acted in the usual vindictive fashion of politicians by vetoing Puller for a job he could not have been more qualified to do. The strong appeal of this book is Puller’s willingness to name names.

Besides being a memoir of war, physical therapy, and politics, this is also an addiction memoir. He had bouts with survivor’s guilt, depression, alcoholism, and dependence on painkillers. His experience with a 12-step program - which he oddly does not name - will inspire readers. The memoir ends on a positive note.

This memoir was published to great acclaim in 1991. It won the Pulitzer Prize. Unfortunately, in the next couple of years Puller’s life unraveled because of clinical depression and relapse into alcohol and substance abuse. On May 11, 1994 Puller, at the age of 48, took his own life in his Alexandria, VA house.

Puller was buried in Arlington with full military honors. “He had fought his way out of so many holes,” Bob Kerrey told People magazine at the time. “In the end he couldn't fight his way out of the last one.”

Happy Belated Birthday Philip MacDonald

Classic Whodunnit from the Golden Era. I don’t read mysteries from 1920s often. The writing is too stiff, the plots formulaic, the racism casual, the reveal too protracted. Born November 5 in 1900 was Philip MacDonald, British-born writer of faction and screenplays, best known for thrillers.

 The Rasp - Philip MacDonald

It was in the year of 1924 - a year not without its mystery milestones like Poirot Investigates - that a certain Philip MacDonald, a name now remembered only in the fringes of whodunnit fandom, first introduced to the reading public his series character, Colonel Anthony Gethryn. The tale, slender in length but labyrinthine in design, was the inaugural entry in a series that would, in time, see its protagonist softened and reshaped by the author’s pen. But here, in this first appearance, Gethryn is a creature of arrogance and loftiness, a man of government - though what precise department or duty he serves is left as vague as an ICE agent’s home address.

The plot is a tangled skein. A baronet of wealth and consequence is discovered most brutally murdered in his study - beaten, no less, as if by the hand of some vengeful god. No clue is apparent to the eye of the common man. But enter Gethryn, with his cold logic and sharper instincts, and the mystery begins to uncurl - though not without strain upon the reader’s credulity. The solution, when it comes, is far-fetched, and yet I confess I turned the pages with a kind of skeptical fascination.

In a moment of bravado, Gethryn concocts a tale to ensnare the killer - a tale involving doppelgängers, illegitimate heirs, and the switching of corpses. Alas, this fiction, bordering on parody of the nascent genre, proves more thrilling than the truth, which, when revealed, is disappointingly ordinary. One cannot help but wish the lie had been the reality.

The characters, I regret to say, don’t rise above caricature. Gethryn himself is not a man to inspire liking, and his sudden, unconvincing infatuation with a murder suspect - Miss Lucia, whose whiteness of complexion is described with such obsessive frequency that a hardcore reader begins to suspect the author of a peculiar bee in the bonnet - does little to endear him.

For a moment his eyes closed. Behind the lids there arose a picture of her face – a picture strangely more clear than any given by actual sight.

“You,” said Lucia, “ought to be asleep. Yes, you ought! Not tiring yourself out to make conversation for a hysterical woman that can’t keep her emotions under control.”

“The closing of the eyes,” Anthony said, opening them, “merely indicates that the great detective is what we call thrashing out a knotty problem. He always closes his eyes you know. He couldn’t do anything with ’em open.”

She smiled. “I’m afraid I don’t believe you, you know. I think you’ve simply done so much to-day that you’re simply tired out.”

“Really, I assure you, no. We never sleep until a case is finished. Never.”

Their romance, such as it is, unfolds with all the subtlety of a tightly-lace corset.

Elsewhere, we find Mr. Spencer Hastings, Gethryn’s friend, mooning over his secretary, whom he refers to as “that little white darling” - a phrase that might have passed unnoticed in 1924 but now strikes the post-modern ear with a clang. Indeed, the book is marred by the casual bigotries of its time. Anti-Semitic remarks are made without irony or rebuke, and a Jewish character is portrayed with all the offensive tropes of the era. It is a stain upon the narrative that no amount of literary merit can quite erase.

And yet, MacDonald writes with a certain fluency. His prose is never dull and his pacing is brisk. The country house setting, the locked-room mystery, the parade of suspects - all are handled with competence, if not brilliance, considering how early in the Golden Era of Whodunnits it was released. The final chapter, sad to report, is a ponderous affair: in the Dover edition I read sixty pages of explanation served only to belabor what the reader was told during the reveal.

In sum, this first case of Colonel Gethryn is a curiosity - flawed, dated, and at times distasteful, yet not without its charms. It is a relic of its age, and like many such relics, it is best approached with caution, context, and a generous measure of patience on the part of reading gluttons – me, us – who are interested the development of the whodunnit.

The Nones of Perry Mason 98

Note: Conventional wisdom claims that by 1960, 71 years and 80 novels down the pike, the creator of Perry Mason was past his prime. Some blame going over TV scripts for distracting Gardner from the novels, for the writing getting clunkier and stories more formulaic even by his own standards. Too true, I’ve found late-career Gardner a mixed bag. TCOT Troubled Trustee from 1965 is not worth reading but 1963’s TCOT Stepdaughter’s Secret and the last one from 1969 TCOT Fabulous Fake certainly are fun. This one is enjoyable too.

The Case of the Shapely Shadow – Erle Stanley Gardner

Janice Wainwright is a secretary with a secret: she’s in love with her boss, the worthless Morley Theilman. To avoid triggering his wife’s jealousy, Janice plays the wallflower - dressing down, staying quiet. But when she walks into Perry Mason’s office with a locked briefcase and a wild story, things get weird fast.

Della Street, Mason’s razor-sharp assistant, convinces him to take Janice’s case. Janice suspects Theilman is being blackmailed by someone named A.B. Vidal. She wants to open the briefcase  - legally - before dropping it in a train station coin locker. Mason cracks it open: it’s stuffed with cash. They document the serial numbers, stash the case, and mail the key to Vidal.

Next day, Mason and PI Paul Drake stake out the locker. Too late—the briefcase is gone. Then Janice vanishes. Theilman disappears after meeting his sketchy partner, Cole B. Troy, who claims a mysterious woman was tailing Theilman.

Drake tracks Janice to Vegas, where Mason also meets Theilman’s ex-wife, Carlotta. Turns out Theilman was blackmailed into handing over Carlotta’s stock. Cue drama: Lt. Tragg arrests Janice for Theilman’s murder.

DA Hamilton Burger is sure he’s got Mason beat. The evidence? Janice’s car was at the scene, she bought scissors and newspapers (classic ransom letter kit), and post-makeover, she’s got femme fatale vibes.

The courtroom showdown is intense. Mason warns Janice her testimony could land her in the gas chamber. The judge calls a mistrial, and Burger's carotid artery nearly pops.

Verdict: Highly recommended. Even late in his career, Erle Stanley Gardner delivers a twisty, stylish legal thriller. If you like noir vibes, courtroom drama, and smart women who don’t play by the rules, this one’s a ride.

Happy Birthday John Bingham

Note: John Bingham, 1908 – 1988, British spy and novelist, 7th Baron Clanmorris, worked with John le Carré in British intelligence. Le Carre says that Bingham objected to Le Carre’s telling tales out of MI-5 but Bingham is said to be one of the inspirations for George Smiley. Bingham, who died in 1988 at the age of 80, wrote his own espionage and police procedural novels. His highly developed characters and plots are believable and stand up well 50 years after their creation.

The Paton Street Case - John Bingham

In this 1955 thriller, also known as Inspector Morgan’s Dilemma, John Bingham crafts a taut, melancholic tale of murder and moral compromise, set against the backdrop of post-war Britain’s frayed civility.

Inspector Morgan, a Welshman with a poet’s soul and a policeman’s burden, finds himself partnered with Shaw - a man of clipped tones and colder instincts. Together, they probe the death of a gambler whose life was a litany of petty deceit and grubby transactions.

Morgan’s instincts, steeped in Celtic intuition, lead him down shadowed paths. Sometimes they illuminate; sometimes they betray. One such path leads to Otto Steiner, a refugee from Nazi brutality, whose trauma simmers beneath a veneer of graciousness. Steiner’s unpredictability in moments of crisis makes him both a suspect and a tragic cipher.

Another thread unravels through a quiet interview, where adultery is revealed not with scandal but with weary resignation. The betrayed spouse, driven by wounded pride and long-nurtured bitterness, takes actions that defy logic but not emotion long bottled-up.

The case becomes less about justice and more about understanding the fragile grammar of motive. Morgan, caught between duty and empathy, must decide whether truth is always the noblest pursuit - or merely the most convenient.

James Sandoe of the New York Herald Tribune Book Review called the novel “an uncommonly compelling narrative, artfully wrought and compassionately conceived.” It is that rare crime story where the murder is only the beginning, and the real mystery lies in the hearts of those left behind.

After Stoic Week 2025

Why Stoics Should Volunteer for Research Projects

Stoicism teaches us to live in harmony with nature, embrace virtue, and act for the common good. Volunteering as a human subject in research aligns perfectly with these principles. By participating, you contribute to the advancement of knowledge - a rational pursuit that benefits humanity. Research drives progress in medicine, psychology, organizational behavior, rehabilitation science and communicative disorders, reducing suffering and improving lives. What could be more virtuous than aiding such efforts?

A Stoic understands that our choices define our character. Choosing to volunteer is an exercise in courage and wisdom. It is not reckless; ethical research prioritizes safety and informed consent. You act not for personal gain, but for the greater good - a hallmark of justice and benevolence. And even when a payment is made, it can be used to buy books by Dr. Lopez, Dr. Robertson and Dr. Pigliucci so they will be encouraged to write more books about Stoicism for us moderns.

Moreover, volunteering offers an opportunity to practice indifference to discomfort. 

• I admit I’ve found it dull to fill out surveys.  
• I almost fell asleep doing nothing but listening to individual words while my pupil dilation was being measured. 
• Though I was patting myself on the back for undertaking a test of bravery, I found more tedious than bracing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, a form of electrical stimulation that involves applying a small amount of current over different areas of my brain. 

Whether the study involves a questionnaire, boredom, or a minor inconvenience (or major – like dealing with parking lots at any university), you can view it as training in resilience. By accepting these challenges calmly and in generous spirit, you embody Stoic ideals in action. 

You don't need to be suffering an ailment to qualify to enter a study - you can provide data as a normal, healthy control subject that fits the inclusion criteria of the study.

In short, research participation is a rational, virtuous, and socially responsible choice. It is a way to live your philosophy - put it into action and make a difference. Will you seize this chance to generate knowledge and serve humanity?

Ways to find Research Projects to Volunteer For

Call the office of your local university’s VP of Research. Ask for the web address of the college’s Research Registry (Portal). An example can be found here.

ClinicalTrials.gov – The largest global registry of clinical trials. You can search by condition, location, or study type. [clinicaltrials.gov]

ResearchMatch – A free, NIH-funded platform that connects volunteers with researchers across the U.S. for health-related studies. [researchmatch.org]

The Kalends of Perry Mason 97

In Tribute to Hugh Marlowe

This well-respected actor with a rich baritone worked in radio before he broke into the movies. He appeared in TCM perrennials such as Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), Twelve O'Clock High (1949), All About Eve (1950), and The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). He appeared in six – really five – episodes of Perry Mason, one of a dozen actors who played what Perry fandom calls the trifecta - the victim, the defendant, and the culprit.

The Case of the Fraudulent Foto (1959)

In serious horn-rimmed glasses, Hugh plays an idealistic DA aiming to battle graft in the awarding of construction contracts in small city. The dedicated DA is so focused on his goal that he doesn’t see big trouble coming his way from an obvious direction. The bad guys sic the comely Leora Matthews on him to lure him into a compromising position, complete with photographer. Hugh’s DA is arrested on a charge of murder when the blackmailer ends up killed on the floor, where many other blackmailers in Mason stories land.

However, the real star of his episode is the noir look of this season two episode. It is cool beyond belief. Black, white, and shades of grey never looked better in stock shots of cars old even in 1959. The city and the police station at night are made to look huge, cold, harsh, and pitiless, like places you enter as yourself but you come out not yourself any more. The 1890s hotel has incredible woodwork that looks great in monochrome. Mason drives a black 1959 Cadillac convertible. Hugh wears a trench coat that makes us think of fedoras, fog and Nelson Riddle’s theme for The Untouchables. It’s weird because director Arthur Marks did not have an impressive noir history on his resume until the 1970s.

The Case of the Slandered Submarine (1960)

Often cast as a military man, Hugh was the commander of the good sub U.S.S. Moray in this one. He ends up with a screwdriver in his chest so he did not get a chance to make that baritone resonate.

The Case of the Borrowed Baby (1962)

Somebody who trusts Perry and Della to do the right thing leaves a four-week-old baby in a basket on Perry’s office desk. The mother finally surfaces but ends up in trouble deep after she is arrested for murder. The baby in fact may be the heir to a fortune. Hugh is just okay in not a big part as a business manager. The focus on Barbara Hale bonding with the infant was the centerpiece in this episode. Not aging real well is game and savvy Della Street regretting her choice to be a career woman having adventures with Perry Mason.

The Case of the Nebulous Nephew (1963)

Season 7 was kicked off with one of the better scripted episodes. Hugh plays one of two scamsters who aim to con two harmless old ladies. But after living with the two women for a little while, Hugh’s partner in fraud becomes fond of the aunties and puts the argument to Hugh for abandoning their nefarious plan. But greedy calculating Hugh objects and ends up murdered. Besides the stellar acting, the long set-up is about perfect, without a wasted word or scene. The writers make points about staying in touch with your core values, feeling family loyalty, atoning for past sins, admiring the colorblindness of children, and using love and faith as guides. Up there with The Case of the Perjured Parrot and The Case of the Nine Dolls, this may be my favorite episode ever.

The Case of the Sleepy Slayer (1964)

“How much is it worth,” wonders an exhausted caregiver, “to be a sick, empty creature, drained of every drop of the joy of life?” Poor Rachel Gordon has been driven to distraction by providing care to her tyrant uncle for many years. At the end of her tether she puts a couple of rounds into Uncle as he sleeps. The investigation reveals that the tyrant was poisoned before Rachel shot him. Hugh has a small part as a doctor who says of the miser, “even death despises him” and that the old buzzard’s heart, driven by a jolt of adrenaline “would have been like running a transistor radio on a fifty million volt generator.” Hugh is overshadowed by Phyllis Hill as the hard-pressed caregiver who in her loneliness gets involved with a louse; Robert Brown who plays her user BF persuasively; and finally he of the screaming skull,  Richard Hale, who often played the crooked businessman, sickly pawpaw, and sinister miser. 

The Case of the Hasty Honeymooner (1965)

I detest spoilers so I can only say that Hugh again plays the bounder and dastard as he did in Nebulous Nephew. Oddly enough, in this episode his TV wife is his real-life wife K.T. Stevens.  Noah Beery, Jr. puts in a rip-roaring performance as Lucas Tolliver of Oklahoma. He wants Perry Mason to draw up a will for a future wife. This weird request spurs Perry to send Paul Drake on a quest for information about down-home Luke. Paul finds Luke a man unlucky in marriage, having lost not one but two wives, one to a salad of baneful greens and the other to a passing train. Set in 1965, the story has elements based on the new tech of computer dating and newfound concern for PR fallout. Playing true to his usual good old boy, Strother Martin puts in a great turn as a Bible-thumping tattletale.