This episode was a test to see how the show would flow in color: NBC had already planned to broadcast all of their primetime shows in color starting with the 1966-67 season. Both CBS and ABC knew they would have to follow suit-- if Perry Mason were to renew for the color season, CBS wanted to know if the series, with its "film noir" styling which was perfect for B&W, would work in color. By the time this episode aired, the network knew it wouldn't renew the series.
@TechnoNineMillion This was broadcast the winter of 1965--66, at a time when most TV sets in the United States received only black and white, and many shows were still filmed that way. In addition to the still primitive technology (picture quality was not that good), color sets were very expensive (my family didn't get one until about 1968). The big swing to color in the US came in the 1966--67 season, though I think NBC had already become the first all-color network by then.
@terentii I was spoiled as a kid regarding TV. My dad bought a Sears silvertone color tv in 1963. It had a round screen and had to be demagnetized and adjusted every few months. NBC went color full time in 1965. Color was around since 1953 in a limited fashion. NBC had the most color programs.
@jimbobubbadj Right. As I understand, this episode came in the middle of the season (right about the time the new fall lineup was being considered) and was something of an experiment. Had it been renewed for 1966-67, PM would undoubtedly have been filmed in full, living color.
Some shows worked so much better in black and white. Perry Mason was one of those shows. It was good, though, to see at least one episode in color just to see what it would look like. Thanx for posting.
@lon40 As I recall, Perry got the kid accused of the crime off the hook so that his life wouldn't be ruined by a felony conviction (he went into the US Marine Corps instead). Victor Buono was the mastermind behind the auto theft ring, and Mason nailed his ass in court! (The whole thing was a takeoff on the Oliver Twist scenario.)
One of the few episodes I don't care for, based on Oliver Twist. Oh & the episode where he meets his nemesis, an English sailor ,but up to that point..all good.
Well said, midmodgal! Even though this series is my favorite show of all time, I too did not care for the color episode (based on Dickens' "Oliver Twist") and also for that show where Raymond had the dual role. Burr was always great....but the premise of both shows to me were a bit too far fetched, pat & unbelievable. THANKS for your comment! :)
@JubalCalif Wow, you're welcome! For as far back as I can remember, Perry has been on regular T.V. everyday of the week. We always leave the T.V. on if it's "Perry Time".This show has it all..
You're obviously a person of good taste & refinement if you like "Perry Mason", midmodgal! This classic series really did "have it all", as you put it (excellent choice of words). It was TOP NOTCH in every dept: casting, writing, scoring, art direction, etc. I borrowed the "50th Anniversary" Box Set from our local library & have watched most of it. Great stuff....some good episodes...even has a bonus CD with Burr's & Bill Hopper's screen tests! Thanks for your comment! :)
"The Case Of The Twice-Told Twist"?? I thought the only color ep of this series was the last one, "The Case Of The Final Fade-Out" with guest Dick Clark.
If "Perry Mason" had stayed on the air for another season I'm sure it would have been filmed in color. By that time (the fall of '66) ALL network TV shows were filmed or taped in color. I'm sort of glad the show ended when the 65-66 TV season ended. I agree with many others that a mystery show like this is MUCH more effective in good ol' black & white. Too bad this only color episode that was filmed was not one of the best....it was too obviously based on Dickens' "Oliver Twist".
I agree with roscoedawg. They tried to make this one special, since it was in color, but they strayed too far from the formula.
I was a kid when this aired. Most TV shows were in black and white, so when a show was in color, it would have a "C" inside a TV screen after the title in TV Guide. Now they show a "BW" inside a TV screen to indicate a black and white program.
They have been showing the tv show Perry Mason on KPTV channel 12 in Portland oregon back in 1966 in reruns. Its still showing them even today, at 12 noon. weekdays.
The long-running soap opera THE EDGE OF NIGHT (04/02/1956-12/28/1984) was patterned after PERRY MASON. EDGE's creator, Irving Vendig, was the headwriter of the radio version of PERRY MASON.
CBS was thinking about renewing the series for a TENTH season, so they had one episode filmed in color {airing on February 27, 1966} to see what the show would look like in full color, as all three networks had agreed to schedule 100% color programming in prime-time, beginning in September 1966. By the time this aired, however, the network decided not to order another season...
In a way, "Perry Mason" never recovered, ratings-wise, from its being kicked out of its Saturday-evening time slot in 1962 to make room for Jackie Gleason's return to television with his "American Scene Magazine." (Ironically, "Perry Mason" premiered in that slot in 1957 after Gleason's original Saturday night variety hour ended.)
I remember that particular episode that was in color. The one where his Lincoln gets stripped by a band of car strippers. For some reason that was one of my least favorite episodes. It seemed to stray from alignment with other episodes. I wish instead the one color episode had just been a run of the mill routine episode. The revival of Perry Mason 20 years later showed that the public really wasn't ready for Perry Mason to end. I wish the revival wasn't set in Colorado though.
He was 48 at the time, so that stood to reason. Had the show remained on the following season, it would have likely been done all in colour, since the networks were ending black-and-white broadcasts at that time. Very interesting curio!
The following clip -- in color -- came in the 1965-1966 Television Season -- the final year of "Perry Mason" on CBS Television. Priceless. Unique. Without the presence of the late Ray Collins!! A Fat 7!!
This episode was a test to see how the show would flow in color: NBC had already planned to broadcast all of their primetime shows in color starting with the 1966-67 season. Both CBS and ABC knew they would have to follow suit-- if Perry Mason were to renew for the color season, CBS wanted to know if the series, with its "film noir" styling which was perfect for B&W, would work in color. By the time this episode aired, the network knew it wouldn't renew the series.
ludhugs 3 months ago
The ONLY color episode? Why?
TechnoNineMillion 7 months ago
@TechnoNineMillion This was broadcast the winter of 1965--66, at a time when most TV sets in the United States received only black and white, and many shows were still filmed that way. In addition to the still primitive technology (picture quality was not that good), color sets were very expensive (my family didn't get one until about 1968). The big swing to color in the US came in the 1966--67 season, though I think NBC had already become the first all-color network by then.
terentii 6 months ago
@terentii I was spoiled as a kid regarding TV. My dad bought a Sears silvertone color tv in 1963. It had a round screen and had to be demagnetized and adjusted every few months. NBC went color full time in 1965. Color was around since 1953 in a limited fashion. NBC had the most color programs.
jimbobubbadj 4 months ago in playlist Music
@TechnoNineMillion Most networks went full time color in 1966. This was the last year of Perry Mason.
jimbobubbadj 4 months ago in playlist Music
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terentii 4 months ago
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terentii 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@jimbobubbadj Right. As I understand, this episode came in the middle of the season (right about the time the new fall lineup was being considered) and was something of an experiment. Had it been renewed for 1966-67, PM would undoubtedly have been filmed in full, living color.
terentii 4 months ago
RIP Fred Steiner, the colorful composer who gave Perry Mason its music.
kascnef82 8 months ago
He looks more like Iroside here.
RandyAKing 9 months ago
I remember this episode. And I remember be surprised by Paul Drake's pea-green suit.
RCHairbrush 9 months ago
Some shows worked so much better in black and white. Perry Mason was one of those shows. It was good, though, to see at least one episode in color just to see what it would look like. Thanx for posting.
dwalted 10 months ago
Perry Mason is what encouraged me to go to law school and become a lawyer..I have this theme song on my ringtone.
vinnyvsalval 1 year ago
he lost the case in that one i believe.
lon40 1 year ago
@lon40 As I recall, Perry got the kid accused of the crime off the hook so that his life wouldn't be ruined by a felony conviction (he went into the US Marine Corps instead). Victor Buono was the mastermind behind the auto theft ring, and Mason nailed his ass in court! (The whole thing was a takeoff on the Oliver Twist scenario.)
terentii 6 months ago
Yeah...I like B&W better. Gives it more of a noir vibe.
CharlesShawRules 1 year ago
Even while broadcast in color, the theme song is still chilling.
TheSunnyStar 1 year ago
Raymond was a very handsome man! Just as handsome if not more so later in life with his bushy beard. :)
tall32guy 1 year ago
Perry recommends Samsonite commercial
hangemhigh2000 1 year ago
i wonder why he was in the court room alone not like the other theme with barbara hale william hopper etc.....
rob
robaarm 1 year ago
@robaarm Guess Perry needed his alone time
Staszu13 1 year ago
not long before "Ironside".
glasscitadel12 1 year ago
One of the few episodes I don't care for, based on Oliver Twist. Oh & the episode where he meets his nemesis, an English sailor ,but up to that point..all good.
midmodgal 1 year ago
@midmodgal
Well said, midmodgal! Even though this series is my favorite show of all time, I too did not care for the color episode (based on Dickens' "Oliver Twist") and also for that show where Raymond had the dual role. Burr was always great....but the premise of both shows to me were a bit too far fetched, pat & unbelievable. THANKS for your comment! :)
JubalCalif 1 year ago
@JubalCalif Wow, you're welcome! For as far back as I can remember, Perry has been on regular T.V. everyday of the week. We always leave the T.V. on if it's "Perry Time".This show has it all..
midmodgal 1 year ago
@midmodgal
You're obviously a person of good taste & refinement if you like "Perry Mason", midmodgal! This classic series really did "have it all", as you put it (excellent choice of words). It was TOP NOTCH in every dept: casting, writing, scoring, art direction, etc. I borrowed the "50th Anniversary" Box Set from our local library & have watched most of it. Great stuff....some good episodes...even has a bonus CD with Burr's & Bill Hopper's screen tests! Thanks for your comment! :)
JubalCalif 1 year ago
"The Case Of The Twice-Told Twist"?? I thought the only color ep of this series was the last one, "The Case Of The Final Fade-Out" with guest Dick Clark.
retrotvluver 1 year ago
If "Perry Mason" had stayed on the air for another season I'm sure it would have been filmed in color. By that time (the fall of '66) ALL network TV shows were filmed or taped in color. I'm sort of glad the show ended when the 65-66 TV season ended. I agree with many others that a mystery show like this is MUCH more effective in good ol' black & white. Too bad this only color episode that was filmed was not one of the best....it was too obviously based on Dickens' "Oliver Twist".
JubalCalif 2 years ago
Raymond Burr looks more like Ironsides in color than Perry. In my opinion.
oufanpat 2 years ago
Very simple. His hair style changed in late 1965, which made him look like like Chief Ironside.
catfan 2 years ago
It's too bad CBS didn't have the whole final season in color. This is great!
Aeolis7 2 years ago
I read somewhere that it was thought by Erle Stanley Gardner that the color episode was a failure.
VanWADebbie 2 years ago
Wow thanks for that info!
lincsposter 2 years ago
Is this the only original episode to be made in colour?
lincsposter 2 years ago
This was the only episode done in color.
VanWADebbie 2 years ago
The villian in this episode was character actor Victor
Buono playing a modern day"Fagin"from "Oliver Twist".
143AC 2 years ago
I agree with roscoedawg. They tried to make this one special, since it was in color, but they strayed too far from the formula.
I was a kid when this aired. Most TV shows were in black and white, so when a show was in color, it would have a "C" inside a TV screen after the title in TV Guide. Now they show a "BW" inside a TV screen to indicate a black and white program.
ericinwisconsin 2 years ago
the greatest show...
MerleOberon 2 years ago
And it will take years for Season 9 to come out on DVD . . . wonder if this was on the special set they put out after Season 3?
fgeorge76 3 years ago
They have been showing the tv show Perry Mason on KPTV channel 12 in Portland oregon back in 1966 in reruns. Its still showing them even today, at 12 noon. weekdays.
bradley825 3 years ago
They have.
It's amazing the staying power of this series.
realar 2 years ago
It was recently reported the Mason reruns beat two out of the three noon newscasts.
akampfer 2 years ago
Two out of the three Portland newscasts I meant to say.
akampfer 2 years ago
The long-running soap opera THE EDGE OF NIGHT (04/02/1956-12/28/1984) was patterned after PERRY MASON. EDGE's creator, Irving Vendig, was the headwriter of the radio version of PERRY MASON.
Soapking1965 3 years ago
I got a T-shirt that says What Would Perry Mason Do, it has a picture of Perry Mason himself.
jhzenor61481 3 years ago
I have this episode on my Perry Mason 50th anniversary DVD box set.
jhzenor61481 3 years ago
It didn't help that the final season of "PERRY MASON" was opposite the #1 series on Sunday nights in 1965-'66 [9-10pm(et)] , 'wm': "BONANZA"....
fromthesidelines 3 years ago
CBS was thinking about renewing the series for a TENTH season, so they had one episode filmed in color {airing on February 27, 1966} to see what the show would look like in full color, as all three networks had agreed to schedule 100% color programming in prime-time, beginning in September 1966. By the time this aired, however, the network decided not to order another season...
fromthesidelines 4 years ago
In a way, "Perry Mason" never recovered, ratings-wise, from its being kicked out of its Saturday-evening time slot in 1962 to make room for Jackie Gleason's return to television with his "American Scene Magazine." (Ironically, "Perry Mason" premiered in that slot in 1957 after Gleason's original Saturday night variety hour ended.)
wmbrown6 3 years ago
I remember that particular episode that was in color. The one where his Lincoln gets stripped by a band of car strippers. For some reason that was one of my least favorite episodes. It seemed to stray from alignment with other episodes. I wish instead the one color episode had just been a run of the mill routine episode. The revival of Perry Mason 20 years later showed that the public really wasn't ready for Perry Mason to end. I wish the revival wasn't set in Colorado though.
roscodawg 3 years ago
Burr looks so old lol
ClynSvin 4 years ago
He was 48 at the time, so that stood to reason. Had the show remained on the following season, it would have likely been done all in colour, since the networks were ending black-and-white broadcasts at that time. Very interesting curio!
catfan 4 years ago
This is the only color episode from
the original"Perry Mason"CBS TV Series.
The lead villian is Victor Buono playing
a real life "Fagin" Ala "Oliver Twist".
143AC 4 years ago
The following clip -- in color -- came in the 1965-1966 Television Season -- the final year of "Perry Mason" on CBS Television. Priceless. Unique. Without the presence of the late Ray Collins!! A Fat 7!!
Green18600 4 years ago