Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 08/19/2008 Run time: 624 minutes Rating: Nr
"You're that lawyer, aren’t you?" a reluctant material witness addresses the impeccably dressed man asking questions about her soon-to-be-murdered boyfriend. Yep, he's Perry Mason, and his reputation precedes him. In "The Case of the Lucky Legs," one of this three-disc set's twelve black-and-white episodes, a policeman who finds Mason at a crime scene greets him with an impressed, "Well." Mason inspires that kind of admiration with yet another heavy caseload of seemingly guilty clients on trial for murder. Episode after episode, one can only marvel at Mason's courtroom cunning that will allow him to identify the real culprit and make him or her squirm on the witness stand until they confess. The cleverly plotted episodes unfold with compelling twists and turns. In "The Case of the Spurious Sister," a husband is understandably confused that his no-good gambler wife, whose murder he ill-advisedly tried to cover up, should apparently turn up in Las Vegas and sue him for divorce. In "The Case of the Garrulous Gambler," a blackmail scam worthy of David Mamet takes a deadly turn. In only one memorable episode can viewers be absolutely certain of the innocence of Mason's client; it's private detective Paul Drake (William Hopper), who has been charged with the murder of a philandering married man who was involved in a hit and run. Through it all, Mason is characteristically cool and confident. In "The Case of Paul Drake's Dilemma," he jokes that his only concern about Paul is that he will be able to pay Mason's bill. Now and then, Mason will resort to unconventional methods to see that justice is done. In "The Case of the Blushing Pearls," he stages a little arson to roust a suspect from his hotel room. A Saturday night staple during its Emmy-winning nine season run, Perry Mason's pleasures are many, from Fred Steiner's indelible theme song, "Park Avenue Beat" to the character actors with the B-movie names (Lisabeth Hush in "Lucky Legs") and Mason's epilogue summations prompted by his befuddled staff ("Well, there's only thing I don't understand…."). This volume is a must for fans of Erle Stanley Gardner's iconic character who are compiling Mason's complete case history. --Donald Liebenson

Customer Rating:
Summary: This Is Not A Review About Despicable Marketing Practices
Comment: I agree with most of you who abhor the decreased content and increased prices of these Paramount releases. I suppose I was "lucky" to purchase this half-season for $29.99, but I also wonder what I will have to spend in order to purchase all of the episodes of this iconic television series.

In turning to Season 3, Volume 1, let me state that the DVDs did not disappoint. As compared to the prior seasons, the screenplays seemed tighter, less contrived and more engaging. The acting, especially by the core group of characters, continued to be first-rate and flawless. I sensed that Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale and William Hopper had eased more fully into their characters and they had forged a bond that was seamless and dynamic. It was truly a joy watching each episode.

Watching Perry Mason makes me realize how far removed it is from the television that is ubiquitous today. There was a strong conviction then that television was not simply for entertainment, but that it could uplift and inspire. This, of course, was the era of Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Today, television has abandoned that conviction for the mindless drivel that predominates. While there are pockets of good programming, most of television is reality shows, soft porn and gratuitous violence.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: I came to buy, but....
Comment: Thanks to everyone's reviews, I see this is 12-13 episodes? I was about to simply blindly buy it, as I have been buying the other half seasons for the same price.

Even at today's $35, I'm not wasting my money.
The most I would pay is $50, for the ENTIRE season.

Joining in the boycott.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Why I like Perry Mason
Comment: I always appreciated the Perry Mason series so naturally when it became available as a DVD, I was anxious to purchase the series. I hope that the entire show as it was shown on TV will be available.

I'm also a fan of Raymond Burr. I think he was a fine actor.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Perry Mason
Comment: I enjoyed the programs, quality is good, but they need to come down on the price. I think they would sell a lot more and make up their profit. I would like to have the whole works, but I don't think I can afford them.
Thanks Robert Neeley

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Customer Rating:
Summary: perry mason season 3
Comment: I am so happy that season 3 is finally out but i wish they would do it all at once instead of waiting for vol.1 & 2. But i'm still happy they are finally finishing perry mason. They are as good as season 1 & 2, well worth the money.

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