Earle Stanley Gardner was delighted when approached by Warner Bros. to film his Perry Mason books. Although he had only published his first - "The Case of the Velvet Claws" in 1933, it was a sensational best seller and he was able to give up law and write full time. Warren William was a great choice for Perry, he was at his best playing ruthless businessmen and had already played a popular detective, Philo Vance, in 1934. The first film "The Case of the Howling Dog" was a faithful adaptation of the book - but then MGM released "The Thin Man". Suddenly Hollywood was awash with witty, breezy detectives. Warner Bros. wanted to inject some humor and light heartedness into the Perry Mason series and while it made Gardner pack up his books and head for the hills, I think, "The Case of the Lucky Legs" is a bright and funny film with witticisms flowing thick and fast.
Col. Bradbury (Porter Hall) comes to Perry Mason's office - he wants Mason to find Margie (Patricia Ellis) who has gone missing. The night before she won a "Lucky Legs" contest and went to Patton's apartment to collect her $1,000 prize. Patton is found dead and Margie is missing, but first Bradbury has to get past a sparkling Della Street (coyly played by an under-rated Genevieve Tobin) who trades wisecracks with him before trying to sober up Perry (Warren William) who is found on the floor in a drunken stupor!!! Paul Drake (Mason's private detective from the books) is missing, but is replaced by Spudsy (Allen Jenkins) - "I've got the dope" Perry says, "No, I've got the dope" Spudsy's wife responds. Apparently Patton has been running a "lucky legs" racket and there are plenty of people who have a motive for murder - including Thelma Bell (pretty Peggy Shannon) a former "Lucky Legs" winner who has followed him in the hope of getting her prize money. Shannon has the most dramatic role in the film and the camera showed that she had lost none of her haunting beauty. She is required to do some heavy emoting on several occasions - when she is not trading witty wisecracks with Mason. Perry - "Those are not the legs I'm looking for", Thelma - "Well, they were good enough to win me the "Lucky Legs" contest in Waynesville"!!!
Patricia Ellis looks quite fetching as Margie but doesn't have much to do. Lyle Talbot plays Dr. Dorey, her fiancée and chief suspect, who is annoyed from the start by Margie making a spectacle of herself. Barton McLaine is fantastic as Detective "Bisy", who with his no nonsense gruffness seems as though he has wandered on to the set of the wrong movie. The most memorable thing about the movie is the sparkling banter and repartee between Tobin and William - "If Mr. Mason said he would meet you at 10 am - he was boasting", "Milk - that's a hot one - I'll have it cold", "no rice, no shoes, where's the curious bride", "all alone in the bridal suite - you must love yourself", "He said he'd love to talk to the lovely blonde - I guess he's been away so long, he's forgotten you're like", "here's my notebook - I left it over there when you and I..... but I forgot, this is your confession"!!!! And the fact that William seems to enjoy himself so much in a film that has so much humor and where he can play a happy drunk!!!
Highly Recommended.
Col. Bradbury (Porter Hall) comes to Perry Mason's office - he wants Mason to find Margie (Patricia Ellis) who has gone missing. The night before she won a "Lucky Legs" contest and went to Patton's apartment to collect her $1,000 prize. Patton is found dead and Margie is missing, but first Bradbury has to get past a sparkling Della Street (coyly played by an under-rated Genevieve Tobin) who trades wisecracks with him before trying to sober up Perry (Warren William) who is found on the floor in a drunken stupor!!! Paul Drake (Mason's private detective from the books) is missing, but is replaced by Spudsy (Allen Jenkins) - "I've got the dope" Perry says, "No, I've got the dope" Spudsy's wife responds. Apparently Patton has been running a "lucky legs" racket and there are plenty of people who have a motive for murder - including Thelma Bell (pretty Peggy Shannon) a former "Lucky Legs" winner who has followed him in the hope of getting her prize money. Shannon has the most dramatic role in the film and the camera showed that she had lost none of her haunting beauty. She is required to do some heavy emoting on several occasions - when she is not trading witty wisecracks with Mason. Perry - "Those are not the legs I'm looking for", Thelma - "Well, they were good enough to win me the "Lucky Legs" contest in Waynesville"!!!
Patricia Ellis looks quite fetching as Margie but doesn't have much to do. Lyle Talbot plays Dr. Dorey, her fiancée and chief suspect, who is annoyed from the start by Margie making a spectacle of herself. Barton McLaine is fantastic as Detective "Bisy", who with his no nonsense gruffness seems as though he has wandered on to the set of the wrong movie. The most memorable thing about the movie is the sparkling banter and repartee between Tobin and William - "If Mr. Mason said he would meet you at 10 am - he was boasting", "Milk - that's a hot one - I'll have it cold", "no rice, no shoes, where's the curious bride", "all alone in the bridal suite - you must love yourself", "He said he'd love to talk to the lovely blonde - I guess he's been away so long, he's forgotten you're like", "here's my notebook - I left it over there when you and I..... but I forgot, this is your confession"!!!! And the fact that William seems to enjoy himself so much in a film that has so much humor and where he can play a happy drunk!!!
Highly Recommended.