Justice...It's not settled, until it's settled right- Miss Marple

Attorney Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) always managed to outsmart and outwit the "bad guys" in the popular television series, Perry Mason, which ran from 1957-1966 and produced 271 shows.  Paul Drake (William Hopper), his always hunky and  always cool private investigator, managed to dig up the most obscure information, along with, Della Street (Babara Hale), Perry Mason's dedicated and very hot secretary. Della Street often aided Perry in detecting various shades of lipstick and trendy fragrances, sometimes worn by the murderer.

Filmed in black and white, the show had a certain noir feeling, although the sets appeared awkwardly staged at times. With his quintessential wry smile, Perry Mason's large eyes would fixate on the criminal and using his deft skills, he would often shake them into a blubbering confession. There was always a surprise revelation at the end of the hour and when justice was served and the murderer was trapped, we all felt good. His arch rival, Hamilton Burger (William Talman) played the indefatigable district attorney, who week after week lost to the enigmatic and formidable defense attorney, Perry Mason. Last, but not least, was the venerable Lt. Trag (Ray Collins), whose tireless police work and gruff manner belied his admiration for the clever attorney.

You may recall that Raymond Burr, a talented and multi-faceted actor, portrayed quite an opposite type of character-than that of Perry Mason- as the cunning wife-murderer, Lars Thorwald in Alfred Hitchcock's film, Rear Window(1954), starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly. His treachery is discovered by complete strangers, Jimmy and Grace and Jimmy's housekeeper, Stella (played by the awesome, Thelma Ritter), who live opposite Lars' apartment. Jimmy Stewart plays the wheelchair-bound photographer, with plenty of time on his hands and an imagination to boot. He observes all the comings-and-goings in the building complex, often involving himself emotionally with some of the tenants. His borderline voyeurism pays off when he and his girlfriend, put 2+2 together. But, when Lars discovers that he is being watched the drama escalates! The amateur detectives alert the police and their suspicions are dismissed, however, they continue to spy and gather evidence; eventually bringing him to justice. Ahh...sweet justice!

Here is the movie trailer:
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2157838617/

Nowadays, that judicial certainty is often clouded and many "bad guys" seem to escape the proverbial noose through loopholes, slick defense tactics and sometimes just plain luck. I'd like to think that justice takes its own sweet time and eventually it is served with a plate of whoop-ass on the side.


Here is the kick-ass theme song from the old Perry Mason show! I love the lazy tempo and the subtle soulfulness...

Enjoy!