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Perry Mason - Series 1 [1957]
![Perry Mason - Series 1 [1957]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511jqeeF0PL._SL160_.jpg)
While it's true that the last-minute witness-stand confessions strain some credulity, the case-cracking, character development, and dialogue set a high bar for the legal shows that followed. "The Case of the Negligent Nymph," for instance, involves a comely young woman--and murder suspect--fished out of the Pacific; Mason deadpans to Drake, "Call off the search, Paul; we've landed our mermaid." The shows unfold at a leisurely pace, and yet don't rely on the overly expositive dialogue that, say, Law & Order does; the viewer learns a lot about each case simply as it happens. The set contains the first 19 episodes of the first season and will hook you, even if you're not a procedural buff. --A.T. Hurley
RRP: £24.99
Our Price: £13.92 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
There was a time when the defense attorney was a heroic everyman, not the butt of bad jokes; think Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, and, of course, Raymond Burr's incomparable Perry Mason. The first season of Perry Mason, which launched in 1957 on CBS, shows just how dramatic a "law and order" show could be. Shot in lush black and white, on film, the episodes have been lovingly restored (including lost minutes hacked from reruns to accommodate commercials). The story arcs and atmosphere feel more like film noir (Perry Mason + Philip Marlowe = separated at birth?) than early TV. The cast was stellar, including Burr's Emmy-winning Perry Mason, the indefatigable lawyer who takes tough cases no one else will touch. Burr's chemistry crackles from episode 1 with his costars, including Barbara Hale as secretary Della, William Hopper as private detective Paul Drake, and William Talman as Hamilton Burger, the well-meaning but overmatched district attorney.
Fantastic Value
Review date: 2008-11-07 Rating: 10 out of 10
This special DVD collection includes all 39 Season One Part 1 and Part 2 episodes of 50+ minutes each. On 10 discs, this adds up to a total of about 32hours 40mins. All episodes are in black and white. Audio is English or French and subtitles are provided but there are no extras.
The picture quality is good and sound is clear though a little thin in places. A very good restoration of the original.
Even at full price this would be very good value for your money.
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Reviews
TV nostalgia at its best
Review date: 2008-10-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is one of the first tv shows I can remember along with Highway Patrol and the Invisible man. What an absolute joy to rediscover this particular gem. The packaging is superb and comes in a compact video size case which conveniently got put through my mail box thus avoiding the usual post office collection and associated import duty clearance on dvd boxes usualy charged here in South Africa. The quality of the transfer is simply stunning as is the audio. Although in Monochrome (black and white) The box actually sais Colour which is obviously an error but could be misleading. There is so much material here it will keep me entertained for many weeks and I am really looking forward to further seasons being released in the same format and packaging in Region 2 format. For any fans of 60s "who dunnit" type dramas it doesnt get any better than this. This set will be watched over and over I am sure. Highly recommended.
Product Details/Specifications
Artist(s):
Perry Mason
Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437950338
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 10
Format: Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2008-08-18
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 1960 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1957