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.
@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.
@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.)
@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.
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.
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
@TechnoNineMillion Most networks went full time color in 1966. This was the last year of Perry Mason.
jimbobubbadj 3 months ago in playlist Music
@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 3 months ago in playlist Music
@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
@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
The ONLY color episode? Why?
TechnoNineMillion 7 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 8 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