Perry Mason (Warren William) is hired to locate the organizer of a crooked beauty contest and finds the man murdered. The contest winner is the prime suspect but, of course, she's innocent and it's up to Perry to prove it by finding the real killer.
The third Perry Mason movie from Warner Bros. starring Warren William. If you're new to the series and only know Perry Mason from the TV show, expect to be surprised and possibly disappointed. This Perry is nothing like Raymond Burr's version. He's less a lawyer than a private detective. Essentially this is Warren William playing the same character type he'd play in several different detective roles -- cocky, funny, tough, and a little flirty. This particular film's Perry owes a lot to another famous detective with a penchant for boozing -- Nick Charles. Genevieve Tobin is fun as Della Street. Good supporting cast includes Allen Jenkins, Barton MacLane, Lyle Talbot, and Porter Hall. Lovely Patricia Ellis plays the winner of the "best legs" contest. She was a deserving winner and quite the cutie. Speaking of cuties, how about a young Mary Treen as Jenkins' wife? Mary made her career as a character actress playing plain Jane types but here in this early role I think she was very pretty.
It's enjoyable enough for a B detective film. Nothing particularly unique but entertaining in its way. If you're a Perry Mason buff you might be put off by the portrayal of Perry but I didn't mind it. As I said before, William has played this type of character in other films. But if it works, keep doing it.
The third Perry Mason movie from Warner Bros. starring Warren William. If you're new to the series and only know Perry Mason from the TV show, expect to be surprised and possibly disappointed. This Perry is nothing like Raymond Burr's version. He's less a lawyer than a private detective. Essentially this is Warren William playing the same character type he'd play in several different detective roles -- cocky, funny, tough, and a little flirty. This particular film's Perry owes a lot to another famous detective with a penchant for boozing -- Nick Charles. Genevieve Tobin is fun as Della Street. Good supporting cast includes Allen Jenkins, Barton MacLane, Lyle Talbot, and Porter Hall. Lovely Patricia Ellis plays the winner of the "best legs" contest. She was a deserving winner and quite the cutie. Speaking of cuties, how about a young Mary Treen as Jenkins' wife? Mary made her career as a character actress playing plain Jane types but here in this early role I think she was very pretty.
It's enjoyable enough for a B detective film. Nothing particularly unique but entertaining in its way. If you're a Perry Mason buff you might be put off by the portrayal of Perry but I didn't mind it. As I said before, William has played this type of character in other films. But if it works, keep doing it.