Perry Mason (TV Series) The Case of the Final Fade-Out (1966) User Reviews

Lt. Tragg, you are still missed, lo these 50+ years

[govett · 10/10 · 20 November 2013]

A well-done series ending. The ensemble of Perry plus four was magic. All legal dramas since have been pale derivatives. But I have few quibbles about the final show:

* The actual crew appeared on screen, deservedly, but their dialog seemed a bit too amateurish.

* Lt. Tragg (Ray Collins) should have been mentioned somewhere, for old time's sake. He was my favorite actor in the series, and his wry wit was sorely missed after his death.

* Fred Steiner finally appeared in the credits as the composer of the Perry Mason theme, which is entitled Park Avenue Beat. (Incidentally, live performances of the full piece are on YouTube.)

For the last episode of the series- Perry gives a two for one conviction

[kfo9494 · 9/10 · 14 February 2013]

In this full episode there are two murders and two courtroom hearings that are as fascinating as nearly any in the series. With a cast full of stars, this last episode is an honor to the many years of enjoyment that the series gave us viewers.

In begins as a episode of a TV show is being filmed. The show is approaching the end of the season and new contracts are being signed by all the actors. But at the signing, the star of the show named Barry Conrad decides not to sign. This leaves the producer, Jackson Sidemark (Denver Pyle) is a terrible position. The prima-donna will cause the entire show to collapse and contracts go unpaid.

But during the next filmed scene that involves a fight scene with prop-guns, something goes wrong when Barry Conrad gets shot with actual bullets. And Jackson Sidemark is arrested for the murder for comments he made when Barry would not sign his contract.

During the trial, the prop-man Pete Desmond (Jackie Coogan) is caught in a out-and-out lie on the witness stand and the charges are dropped.

Later, Jackson Sidemark ends up dead. And for some reason the police believe that an elder actress, Winifred Glover (Estelle Winwood), that had been dropped from a guest-spot in the TV show, had killed Mr Sidemark (why anyone would believe that an elder lady weighing about 90 pounds could knock out and kill a large side man is somewhat unbelievable). Perry will again go to court a second time which may lead to the solving of both murderers.

Some nice actors in this show. With the ones already listed the episode contains Dick Clark and Gerald Mohr that only makes the show much better. We also get to see some heated comments by Hamilton Burger directed at Perry when he thinks they misrepresented justice. This episode will keep the viewer on the edge of the seat as this is a full episode with a lot going on. A nice show to finish the series.

It's a Wrap

[zsenorsock · 8/10 · 12 September 2008]

The Mason series ends after nine years with a solid Hollywood murder, shot mostly on their own lot on La Brea, and using many of their own crew members.

James Stacy (who later starred as "Lancer") plays the last of a despicable line of victims who really should be murdered. He's Barry Conrad, star of a hit TV show that has just been picked up for "30 episodes in color" (something the Mason show did not). But Barry refuses to sign his contract, leaving producer Jack Sidemark (Denver Pyle) on the hook for all the other contracts that were signed, including that of the lovely Erna Landry (former Elvis girlfriend and future "Longstreet" co-star Maryln Mason). When Conrad is shot dead shooting a scene for the show, Sidemark is charged with the crime.

Perry gets him off when the prop man (Jackie Cooogan) perjures himself on the stand, but then Sidemark himself is found murdered in the edit room. Drumm and Berger apparently go insane, lose all sense of logic, and charge aging actress Winefred Glover (Estelle Winwood,82 at the time) of bludgeoning the hefty Denver Pyle to death, as unlikely as that would seem to be.

While Paul and Della don't get much to do, the guest stars all make the last Mason a good one. Gerald Mohr is back as Conrad's agent, Andy Rubin and Dick Clark is convincing as the show's writer (he even gets a nice drunk scene!) with the joke name Leif Early (get it?). Creator Erle Stanley Gardner acts as the judge in the final courtroom scene and he's good without calling attention to himself. As Conrad Stacy is pretty good at being despicable (and quite the ham. In really dying, the actor makes sure to turn his face to the camera!) and Landry makes you wonder what else you've seen her in. She's different than the usual statuesque blonde bombshells that frequent Mason mysteries, but she's still hot.

William Talman gets to chew some scenery as Berger explodes when Coogan pulls his perjury on the stand, but it actually is one of the highlights of the episode and is in character. Less convincing is the way Perry tries to do use a movie projector to "zoom in" on a part of a film. While a camera might have that ability, I don't think a projector, particularly in 1965 had that capability. He would have had to use blow ups of stills.

The series ends with Paul, Della and Perry alone in the courtroom, discussing the next case, with Perry saying, "Now it seems the place to start is at the beginning." fade out Cue applause.

The Series Ended With a Hit!

[dmccoole · 19 November 2020]

I got to visit the Set during the Final Day of Filming this Episode. I was 9 years old and my Great Uncle Jesse Hibbs was the Director. I got to meet all the Actors, including Raymond Burr. A very nice man, who was leaving the next day to visit our military in South Vietnam with the USO. Burr was very Patriotic. In the one scene, where a Recess of Court was called, and Della Street (wonderful Barbara Hale) was coming into the courtroom, they played a joke on her. All of the extras and actors who were exiting the courtroom were told by Director Jesse Hibbs to get close and prevent her from entering. It was very funny, and Hale took it with good humor. A very relaxed and pleasant set with an Ensemble Cast who were like family after 9 years together. I loved the TV Show American Bandstand, and it was a treat meeting Dick Clark. Another very friendly and warm person. I like how they brought in Erle Stanley Gardner from his Ranch in Riverside to be the Judge! I probably met him, but at age 9, did not know who he was. A great TV Series put together by Beautiful Actress/Businesswoman Gail Patrick and her husband, Agent Thomas Jackson (Paisano Productions), that still is worth watching. My Great Uncle Jesse Hibbs directed 44 Episodes of this Series along with many other TV Shows, such as The FBI, Rawhide, Gunsmoke, and The Fugitive. 1966 was during the Golden Age of Television, with many Terrific Shows!

Dickie Don't

[darbski · 10/10 · 27 July 2017]

**SPOILERS** You can tell right off who's gonna be dead. You know who I mean; he's the "Boy, aren't we all glad that stinkin' rats's dead" guy. Just a couple of small things I spotted, though; first, NOBODY'S big enough to push an entire studio around, even if they own it. Sidemark could have easily called Conrad's bluff on any of the rotten tricks he was pulling; especially after he pulled the rug out from under the crazy old bat that still thought she was a star long after she was a washed-up has-been. All he had to do was refuse, go to her, tell her the truth, and let the chips fall. Of course, then, we don't have a story.

The acting is good, all around, with the exception of Earl Stanley Gardner, who wasn't an actor, but just wanted to be in on the finish of the series. The end line was prophetic; as far as re-runs are concerned, and it was good that they brought back the series in the form of two hour specials, years later. I've often wondered; if the studio had taken a year off, could they have then had the writers and staff to put together another season? As far as Dick Clark goes, almost ALL noted "good guys" go, they love getting a chance at being a bad guy at least once. In this case, he was a lot better bad guy than the dead bad guy, and he almost pulled it off. I mean the old gal was on her way out anyway, right? Okay, fine, it would be wrong, but then again.....

I love this series. I watch it on METV, and I've got the whole kaboodle on DVD from Amazon. There are some really fine series available, and Amazon, and IMDb make it possible to see a lot of small things that one would just not notice, otherwise. I encourage anyone watching this series, for example, to use these resources to add to your appreciation of this fine art. Those who also re-watch these episodes; there is an edit button you can use to improve your critique of these shows. Thanks to S.A.G., Actor's Studio, and the fine performers who bring this art to life.

A FOND FAREWELL TO OUR HEROES....

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 9 November 2023]

For all of us who grew up on PERRY MASON, the show will never end. However, there was an actual final episode, and this is it. And it's excellent.

Fittingly, it's set in Hollywood, not too far from Perry's office, at a movie studio. Why not? In fact, it was quite cost effect as the La Brea studio where the series was filmed was used. This is the real place. Today, the studio at 1416 North LaBrea, near Hollywood High School, is known as The Jim Hensen Recording Studios. Originally, Charlie Chaplin's famous silent film studio.

What a neat mystery. Producer Denver Pyle (Jackson Sidemark) is desperate to sign star Barry Conrad (played by popular James Stacy) to a new contract for his hit tv show. Conrad refuses to sign, leaving Sidemark in a terrible mess --and is promptly murdered. Open and shut case, right?

Wrong! What happens when Sidemark is also murdered? Enter Perry Mason and the crew.

Lots of terrific actors (and suspects) to boot, such as Dick Clark, who was a very good dramatic actor. He plays a character called Leif Early?? Versatile Jackie Coogan plays Desmond and 80 year old Estelle Winwood (simply the best actress) plays Winifred.

Best of the best, author Erle Stanley Gardner fittingly plays the judge, but plays it down, not to attract much attention to him. Gardner, who was an attorney long before turning to writing, said he based the character of Perry Mason on an actual Los Angeles lawyer who won 77 murder trials, and only lost 3. He was amazed, especially at the attorney's advanced crime solving skills.

Jesse Hibbs did a fine job of directing here (although I don't think Mr. Gardner needed guidence!). In all, Hibbs directed 44 episodes, then moving to the F. B. I. Tv series. An interesting note, is that Gardner himself picked Raymond Burr for the role after seeing his screen test. Burr also lost 100 pounds before the audition. But seemed to gain a lot back in later years.

It paid off well, as Raymond Burr, toward the end of the series run, was earning 1 million dollars a season. At the beginning of the show, each episode cost about $85,000, and by the 1960s was running close to $185,000 each, about 1.7 million dollars today (2023), which is about average.

Gardner sadly died a few years after this episode (of cancer) at his sprawling ranch at Temecula, about 60 miles north of San Diego. Strangely, William Hopper died about a week after him, also a long time smoker. I don't think I ever saw Hopper without a cigarette in any scene. Barbara Hale later commented that everybody smoked on the show, almost like a club, except her!

It was later revealed that there were plans to shoot the final season in color (wouldn't that have been spectacular!), but CBS dragged their feet. Money, money, money!

SEASON 9 EPISODE 30 remastered CBS dvd box set. Buy this one!

Great last episode

[forryjesse · 10/10 · 14 September 2019]

Weak in a few spots but very good overall. At least Marks was not directing Great that the behind the scenes crew was shown.

Good Finale with One Clinker

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 7 March 2022]

This is kind of a fun episode with two murders at the center of it. It's about a hit TV show where the star is insufferable and leaves his producer out to dry. The star is eventually shot to death while shooting a scene. There are plenty of suspects and a couple of courtroom scenes. The biggest weakness is the casting of Dick Clark as a significant character. He is one of he worst actors I've every scene. I would give him a 2 because he was easy to dance to.

Tallulah's friend with uncles Jesse and Fester.

[biorngm · 8/10 · 26 September 2020]

A story of actors playing out there scenes when the lead actor is killed during a staged shootout. The so-called lead is a miserable person, an egoist breaking away from the scripts and announcing he was venturing out on his own. His demise was welcome based on how he treated people and the exoneration of the producer for his killing was Perry's first victory. We were not going to pack it in just yet when the producer was also killed and Tallulah's friend was arrested; now Perry has to defend the actress's friend. Perry wins, making a final dusting of Burger before packing it up for good.

Nice touch having Lily Frankel guest star, always a refreshing addition; and Mr. Gardner make his presence appropriately as a judge. Any friend of Tallulah Bankhead cannot be all bad, in fact, one should be impressed with a lengthy SAG tenure and a friend like Tallulah. Surprised Dick Clark was the bad guy, though with Uncle Fester and Uncle Jesse there was added evidence to this final episode being a Jump The Shark sendoff. James Stacy was noteworthy for marrying lookers, albeit for a limited time, otherwise his character was what Leif Early said, he deserves to die, being evil to all. I would look forward to the start of the cycle once again as the episodes from the first season brought forth better writing and less uncles; Dick Clark though?

That Fadeout Ending

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 18 May 2012]

Appropriately entitled The Case Of The Final Fadeout, the Perry Mason show came to an end fortunately just left Perry Mason, Della Street, and Paul Drake just looking forward to yet another case that was never to be broadcast. That fadeout ending allowed the writers considerable freedom when Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale revived their characters in about 20 years for a class series of made for TV feature length films.

There's a twist on the Perry Mason paradigm, eager young star James Stacy is murdered on the set of his television series. Stacy was the last of several victims who really do get what they deserve on the show, though by no means were all of the victims so hateful. His producer Denver Pyle is arrested and Perry gets a dismissal when one of William Talman's witnesses is caught in a lie on the stand. Talman is steaming when he leaves the courtroom, but later on Pyle is found murdered in the editing room of his studio.

Old time eccentric actress Estelle Winwood is the new suspect and Burr might clear her if Winwood would stop being the diva. Of course he does would you suspect he would do otherwise?

Not the best episode, but a good one to go out on.

Cute, but not very good

[pmike-11312 · 1/10 · 28 May 2021]

Oh, there are the little inside jokes and references (wink, wink), but it's typical PM fare - extremely poor dialogue writing, meandering plot, overacting, and ham-fisted direction. Put a fork in it! It's done! (mercifully)

Dick Clark Before His Pyramid Scheme

[DKosty123 · 11 September 2011]

While this is the last of the original Perry Mason series, I would not call it the strongest episode. This final fade out plays some things fast and loose with an interesting guest cast cast, and some very staged production shots.

Still, this is a satisfying ending to a classic series which established court room drama for many other series to come. Raymond Burr's Mason is a little calmer in this episode. He doesn't seem on his mark in grilling witnesses in the court room. William Talman's Hamilton Burger is in good form.

The story is OK though not one of the best scripts in the series. The biggest surprise to me is Denver Pyle who seems to be totally different in this role as one of the two murder victims. It is his face I recognized as he used a different voice in this episode.

William Hopper and Barbara Hale are in decent form here though it appears Paul Drake has little to do in this episode. Still, you can feel that this is a send off for a wrap party after the shoot. Estelle Windwood who would go on to live to be 101, was already around 80 and looks it here.

In a way, Dick Clark plays a shifty middle level movie executive. While the shifty is out of character for him, the executive type is not far from his emcee persona. Still, this is one of the few times that you find Clark being an actor instead of himself, the host.

It would be another successful Ironside series before Raymond Burr would get back into the Mason character. Long before that happens, both William Hopper and William Talman would be dead. This episode is an appropriate way to bid them a fond farewell.

It's a Wrap!

[sol1218 · 6/10 · 1 June 2013]

****SPOILERS**** In the 271th and final episode of the "Perry Mason Show" Perry, Raymond Burr, gets himself involved in defending murder suspect TV producer Jackson Sidemark, Denver Plye, and later believe it or not the person accused of murdering him silent screen and early talkie movie queen Winfred Glover, Estelle Winwood! It was the full of himself TV star Barry Conrad, James Stacy, looking to get the coveted, to him at least, slime-ball of the year award by screwing and double crossing everyone who made his rise to stardom possible who started all this mess. Conrad predictably ended up getting killed himself on the set while the filming of him getting shot, with blanks, by the police was rolling. It's Sidemark, one of the many persons that Barry screwed, who's at fist charged with Barry's murder. It's when Sidemark finds out who really murdered him he gets murdered himself by the person who murdered Barry Conrad!

Perry who was to defend Sidemark now is set to defend the person accused of murdering him Mrs. Winfred Glover another one of Barry's many double crossing victims! It was in fact stagehand Pete Desmond, Jackie Cooper, who got Sidemark off the hook by purposely perjuring himself in court for the soon to be murdered Sidemark who gave him a job on TV when everyone else, in Desmond being a hopeless alcoholic, turned him down. With Mrs. Winfred found at the Jackson Sidemark murder scene and having earlier threatened to smash his skull in as well as being last person to see Sidmark alive she's arrested and made to stand trial in his murder.

***SPOILERS*** It's Perry Mason who discovers that an important roll of film made during the filming of the episode when Conrad was murdered was missing and it's that film that can not only get his client off but expose not only Conrad's but Sidemark's murderer as well! As we soon find out Conrad was murdered for personal reasons and Sidemark was murdered in order to cover up, in Sidemark finding out who murdered Conrad,in who murdered him! With all this murdering going on in this last Perry Mason episode it's the murdered scrip that took the worst of it. Nothing seemed to make sense at all with an ending that was so far out, and in how the double murderer broke down and admitted his crimes, that it's almost laughable.

P.S Check out the forever youthful but now the late, he passed away at age 82 on April 18, 2012, Dick Clark as TV script writer Leif "Early Bird" Early in what was supposed to be a breakthrough and serious role for him. That's in Clark finally getting the recognition as the serious actor that he, and only he, thought that he was . Clark was far more serious in him introducing the Rock & Roll singers and band groups on his American Bandstand show then in this Perry Mason episode. As for Raymond Burr this wasn't the end of his acting career as Perry Mason. Burr was to come back by popular demand almost 20 years later in 1985 as the famous defense lawyer in the new and in color "Perry Mason Mystery Movie" that ran for almost as long, eight years, as the original Perry Mason show did. And they, the "Perry Mason Mystery movies", only ended with Burr's death in September 1993. By the way the writer who in fact created the character Perry Mason back in the 1920's Earl Stanley Gardner has a cameo role here as judge #2 who presided on the State Vrs Winfred Glover trial.

Dogs Eating Dogs

[bote · 7/10 · 26 September 2020]

Hollywood certainly is a dog-eat-dog world, but that's exactly why Barry shouldn't have been so smug.

In reality Sidemark would have simply found somebody else to fill the role, star or no, or just written him off the show. Even if ratings tanked, it still beats just walking away from the mess and taking a big loss. Now *THAT* would be how the Hollywood machine handles this.