THE PLOT THUS FAR
Perry is suing a gutter trash newspaper that is running a story about a love affair between him and Della. The editor also has “dirt” files on an Army General, his banker and other “clients”. All of them make little-concealed verbal threats to him at a party but the person that hated him most is a female reporter who the editor had just fired from the paper for attempting to write a serious story. She threatens him and soon after the editor is found, floating in his pool, shot. The reporter is arrested for the crime and Perry, who has a personal stake in this matter, with the aid of Della and Paul set out to solve the mystery. But the other suspects just want the case over with and will go to any lengths to protect their pasts and their secrets…
Plus some other movies!
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Perry Mason” used to be the typical lawyer in the 1950s and 1960s. He could solve a case in an hour, employ his friends and shamelessly flirt with the secretary. They would win the case and nobody would complain of sexual harassment. Cut to a few decades later and everybody is staging a return to the show. Legal shows never go out of fashion, but plots can keep getting recycled. The only thing that changed during this period is Mason relying more on others and the push for forensics.
The TV movies of the late 80s are pretty typical for their time. The video has a soft haze, over-emoting Soap Opera actor stars in bit roles and Perry Mason trying to find ways to be edgy. Poor Burr was starting to get really chunky at this time, but that’s what happens. Just ask Orson Welles and his passionate love of fish sticks. The programs are what they and that’s all you need. Non-fans will pass, as this stuff is so dated.
The DVD comes with no special features. The A/V Quality is strong enough for standard definition. That being said, it’s not going to wow anybody. Ultimately, you take what you have and go with it. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to fans.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!