"The Case of the Moth-Eaten Mink," filmed in 1956, if proof the series was such a hit. It has a gritty noirish quality that is less evident as the series went on. Based on Erle Stanley Gardner's novel of the same name, it concerns a waitress whose mink, taken from a pawn shop, figures in what turns out to be the murder of a police officer.
One little bit of background information: If Raymond Burr's hair was different, chances are he was coming off of filming "A Cry In The Night," which also starred future PM supporting player Richard Anderson. Whatever the case, he already had a busy year in 1956.
We don't see the polished lawyer with the fancy convertibles here, and his office is clearly different. That would remain the case through Season 1, at least partially. But what we have is a terrific plot line, and an episode that clearly sold the series to CBS. And the rest is history.
One little bit of background information: If Raymond Burr's hair was different, chances are he was coming off of filming "A Cry In The Night," which also starred future PM supporting player Richard Anderson. Whatever the case, he already had a busy year in 1956.
We don't see the polished lawyer with the fancy convertibles here, and his office is clearly different. That would remain the case through Season 1, at least partially. But what we have is a terrific plot line, and an episode that clearly sold the series to CBS. And the rest is history.