A brief trip back in time to revisit the original TV classic with the world's best known Perry Mason! Raymond Burr discusses the timeless popularity of the show, his co-stars and his career.
Family indeed. On many occasions Raymond Burr went to bat for his co-stars. The two that quickly come to mind is William Talman (Hamilton Burger) and Ray Collins (Lt. Tragg). Devotees of the show will remember a period when Burger disappeared from the show, and the reappeared. This was tied to Talman being unfortunately caught up in a police raid of a party in a house in the Hollywood hills involving drugs. Talman was in a different part (different level) of the house where the drug use was taking place and unaware of it. After being arrested the shows producers dropped him from the show. After the DA's investigation found that he had no part in the drugs, no charges were filled. But the shows producers did not want to bring Talman back, but Burr stuck up for him and demanded his return to the show. As for Ray Collins... when his health started to fail him and he could not longer do the show (replaced by Richard Anderson as Lt. Drumm) . Collins got into financial troubles due to his medical bills, Raymond Burr stepped in and took care of them. Also, the producers wanted to remove Ray Collins from the show credits since there was no longer a Lt. Tragg character. But Burr said "absolutely not", citing that Collins in the early years of "Perry Mason", his work and the LT. Tragg character helped define and make the show a success, so his name stayed in the opening credits. Collins said "There is nothing but kindness from our star, Ray Burr. Part of his life is dedicated to us, and that's no bull. If there's anything the matter with any of us, he comes around before anyone else and does what he can to help. He's a great star-in the old tradition."
You're absolutely right! There are dozens of cases where Raymond acted quietly to help actors who needed a hand. He'd often make sure that older actors who hadn't gotten enough work to qualify for union health benefits, were hired by "Perry Mason."
I saw Burr in an episode of The Jack Benny Show last night and he (Burr) was truly a versatile actor, he played a part in a skit that was completely different than the Perry mason character, you would have thought it was someone else!
I agree, Ric. He was one of those pro's who could play any part, including comedy, as you pointed out, on the Jack Benny episode. He also did a nice job on a Red Skelton that I saw. It seems some of today's actors can only play the same role over and over again, no matter what they're in!Brian
I subscribed to your channel ☺ I find all of your posts most interesting and I like hearing Raymond Burrs voice on the onterviews. ESG made the right choice with Burr. He was the perfect Mason.
@@AnnieVanAuken I thought he was so funny in the video when he told me he was getting bored with the bad guy roles because, "You eventually run out of ways to die!"
@@baileyellard1 I was never tired of that frightening stare of his as the baddie. Burr was channeling it from some dark place. Scarier than Karloff or Price, IMO.
Thanks, Karen. I started watching the show with my parents back in the fifties. I love watching the re-runs now....it's like getting a piece of my childhood back. And later when we met, it was so nice to find out what a great guy Raymond was in real life.
@baileyellard1 I watched through my childhood and rediscovered Perry Mason last year! I wish I could have met Raymond! It would have been a pleasure! I am smitten this time around 🙂
RiP Mons. Like another N/Acan tv entertainer back in the day, Lorne Greene of those times eh Bananza Bazzar buy&sell gamers? The Can X may one day have to again lassso da downstair neighbour majority pop southern chit goatee stand...
