"Rejoice, WARREN WILLIAM Fans, Here Comes The PERRY MASON Series (With Caveats)......"
Probably due to resurging interest in the career of Pre-Code film star Warren William, and the wonderful recently published biography, Warren William: Magnificent Scoundrel of Pre-Code Hollywood, Warner Archives have released all six Warner Brothers PERRY MASON series films, the initial four featuring Warren William in the titular role, followed by Ricardo Cortez and Donald Woods. Coincidentally, Ricardo Cortez played the first incarnation of detective Sam Spade in 1931's THE MALTESE FALCON, followed by Warren (as "Michael Shayne") in the 1936 adaption SATAN MET A LADY (both can be found in THE MALTESE FALCON 3 Disc Special Edition). Unfortunately, but expected, Warner's have not Remastered or cleaned-up any of the film prints. Individual quality will be mentioned in each film's separate reviews. At least they put two films on three...
some good, some so-so
Watching this set of Perry Masons after years of watching Raymond Burr in the role may be unfair to these earlier efforts, since I have an expectation of how a Perry Mason should go. But I came to enjoy most of the movies, hence four stars out of five. Warren William stars in the first four movies in the set of six. In THE CASE OF THE HOWLING DOG he defends the great Mary Astor and this movie alone would make the set worth it. I had read this mystery before and knew how it would go, but it was fun to see it on film. In THE CASE OF THE CURIOUS BRIDE, Michael Curtiz directs and Errol Flynn has a small non-speaking part. This is another good mystery. I found it disconcerting to have a new actress playing Della Street in almost every film, since each actress brought her own personality to the part and changed Della significantly. Side kicks were changed as well, some better than others. Sets also go from very elaborate in DOG to a two room office in BISHOP. I suppose there was enough time...
A mixed bag, but some good reasons to watch.
I liked the energy of Curious Bride and Lucky Legs, Allen Jenkins always adds interest.
William Warren seems to be going through the motions in the last two of his performances.
There are some good character actors spread across the films, I always like to see Harry Davenport, Genevieve Tobin, Porter Hall, Olin Howard, Mary Treen, Wini Shaw and Mary Astor. Errol Flynn in a pre Captain Blood can be glimpsed in a flashback in Curious Bride! Apart from a few trailers (always good to see), there are no extras whatsover. Also, there has been no restoration. I've seen a lot worse though. Worth buying if you like 1930s detective thrillers such as The Saint or The Falcon or Warners series such as Torchy Blane.
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