Did Perry Mason Ever Lose a Case? The Truth Behind His Courtroom Defeats
A fan once asked Raymond Burr why his iconic TV character, defense attorney Perry Mason, never lost a case on the series of the same name. “But madam,” Burr reportedly answered, “you only see the cases I try on Saturdays.” The response may have been tongue in cheek (the show aired Saturday nights on CBS), but there was a tiny grain of truth to it. In Perry Mason’s nine seasons, which ran from 1957-1966, Mason did indeed lose three cases. Or one, depending on how you look it.
Let’s make a case for both [spoilers ahead].
“The Case of the Terrified Typist” (1958)
Everett Collection
In episode 38 of Perry Mason‘s first season, a young woman named Patricia Taylor (Joanna Moore, who would go on to marry Ryan O’Neal) shows up at Mason’s practice claiming to be a temporary employee they requested. But when the South African diamond importers in the offices on the floor above suffer a burglary, Taylor never returns. After a partner in the diamond business is murdered, Mason is tapped to defend the accused killer.
The jury finds his client guilty, but a twisty tale of blackmail and identity theft unfolds and Perry, with the help of his trusty secretary Della Street (Barbara Hale) and private detective Paul Drake (William Hopper), unravels the truth and secures his client’s freedom.
The verdict: Perry does initially lose the case, but he frees his man in the end. Case: Mistrial. Justice: Won.
“The Case of the Witless Witness” (1963)
Everett Collection
This Season 6 episode sees Perry lose a civil case, after which he finds himself defending Daniel Redmond (Robert Middleton) — the very judge who ruled against him. Seems Redmond is accused of murder tied to a decades-old fraud that inspired a modern-day crime. When the key witness is found dead and incriminating evidence points straight to Redmond, Perry must untangle a web of deceit to prove the judge’s innocence.
The verdict: Once again, Perry does initially lose the episode’s first case, but in the case that follows, discovers a frame-up and frees his man. Case 1: Loss. Case 2: Won.
“The Case of the Deadly Verdict” (1963)
Everett Collection
In this humdinger of a Season 7 episode, Perry unsuccessfully defends beautiful Janice Barton (Julie Adams), whose loved ones seem to suffer mysterious tragedies. Barton was convicted of the poisoning death of her aunt and lies to Mason on the stand, to boot. She is sentenced to death.
Over time, Perry discovers that poor Aunt Amanda was actually the victim of a botched prescription, which Janice unsuspectingly gave her. But by the time Perry and his team learn the truth, Barton is out of appeals and headed for the gas chamber.
The verdict: Though Perry knows something is amiss, he is both unable to convince his client to tell the truth, and legally unable to save her life when he he figures it out himself. Case: Lost. Justice: Denied.
You win some, you lose some … even if you’re Perry Mason
NBC/courtesy Everett Collection
By our count, that makes one loss followed by a victory by mistrial, one outright loss followed by victory, and one unfortunate loss that couldn’t be rectified. Three episodes, three losses, a mistrial and a win.
Despite that, the ever-devoted Hale told NPR’s Robert Siegel that Mason never lost a case.
But Burr, a master of dry wit and keeping interviewers on their toes, confirmed the three losses on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. When Carson asked him how he managed to lose three cases, Burr, who noted that that was three losses in 300 shows, “about the right percentage,” didn’t miss a beat. “It wasn’t easy,” he deadpanned, then burst into merry laughter.
So, yes, even TV’s most successful lawyer couldn’t prevail every time. But when Perry Mason lost, the show’s loyal fans still knew he was a winner.
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