User Reviews

**SPOILERS** Perry outsmarted himself, but doubles down on exactly what Hamilton throws in his face: the fact that he planted what was supposed to be a clean gun on his own client, Betty Roberts. He had this one in his office safe. A little fun fact here, is that he just happened to have the exact make and model of pistol (.38 caliber Colt Super) that was already in his client's possession; having been planted on her by the murderer. There was also planted on her four marijuana cigarettes (I've NEVER seen them rolled so prettily; they were probably Pall Mall straights), and $355 in her apartment. She happened to be renting the apartment in a building owned by Mr. Anclitas. There's enough planting going on to worry Earl May. It's the fact that the murder was committed over a crooked poker game that went wrong when the boss (Anclitas) returns from Vegas early that starts the dance. He takes ALL the dough.

Because Perry's client may have noticed that it was an illegal game, they decided to frame her. Anclitas has a cop in his pocket (Joe) who's with Tragg when they search Betty's apt. for evidence. Paul got there first, he should have grabbed the pot and the dough, and disposed of it. Who would have known? With no evidence of this accusation, where would it lead to the murder charge? As it stands, Perry owes his other client a NEW Colt pistol. Back to the substance. Right after Hamilton states that he suspects Perry of collusion, and evidence tampering, Perry points out that it's lunchtime, and he gets the time he needs to figure out what must have happened.

While he examines another witness on the stand, Sadie (another waitress at the Poker club) speaks up, and admits to helping frame Betty. She fingers Anclitas for hangin the frame on Betty. End of case against her. Who's left? Now, okay; the murderer did NOT have to admit anything, did he?. However, Anclitas stood accused of framing Betty, and he was never gonna take a murder rap, was he? He might get away with a misdemeanor on the gambling, but Murder? That's why he's got his own attorney.

He's gonna need one pretty bad, too. See, Sadie admitted to her part of the frame under oath, but was she advised of her rights? In exchange for her testimony, Hamilton will probably decline pressing charges. On the stand, she testifies against Anclitas. Anclitas only wanted to set up Betty to get her out of the way. Here's the other serious part. In California, in 1960, possession of Marijuana was a VERY serious felony crime that could have gone Federal. No mater what else happens, Anclitas is ruined. Worse, that felony is linked to a murder. He'll probably get reduced charges for his testimony against Marcus (the killer), but he's gonna get some time in San Quentin, too.

The "Happy Ending" is cheezy at best; Betty deserves a lot better than the total dork that Perry set up. Face it; he runs away from trouble. He doesn't like his wife, he hides in a bottle and card games, then runs for his boat. Betty doesn't need a self-destructive coward around her. Bad choice, Perry; you should have let this be handled by Della.

Betty Roberts witnesses an illegal poker game at the Big Barn Casino where her married boyfriend, Manning Ennis loses his entire savings of $60,000. When the owner of the club, George Anclitus, shows up, he confronts the organizer of the crooked game, Slim Marcus. George is mad, but not so mad he does not cash the 60K check. When Manning Ennis' wife, Vivian, attempts to recover the 60K, she is murdered. Who has done this? Lots of suspects, but you will never guess who it is. This is one of my favorite episodes, tight writing, good acting, lots of suspense. Perry, Della, and Paul all do a good job. Perry almost has to take the witness stand. If you get a chance, catch this episode.

I was somewhat disappointed with this episode. The story never really got off the ground and the characters seemed somewhat uninterested with the plot. The writers seemed to want something different in this mystery but it failed to capture the intrigued that 'Perry Mason' episodes are so famous.

Betty Roberts is a singing cigarette girl who witnesses a card game where Manning Ennis loses $60,000 dollars. Instead of the story centering around the gambling business or Mr Ennis that lost the money, the story then follows Ms Roberts that may, or may not, have witnesses some illegal activity in the card game.

This may have been interesting if the story followed the working of the gambling activities but it take a left turn as we follow the cigarette girl minor roll with all involved. Plus we deal with a bizarre set of circumstances and some unsympathetic characters that is hard for the viewer to grasp.

Ms Roberts believes she is being set up by the gambling business when she discovers a gun inside her hat box. She takes the gun to Perry and he replaces the gun with another in his office safe. Later (and here is another odd situation) the wife of the man that lost the money is found dead- shot with the gun Perry got out of his office safe. This is the only interesting part of the entire episode. How did Perry's office gun kill someone that was already suppose to be dead? Other than that twist this show in lacking interest.

After Ms Robert is accused of the murder, we also get a confession from that gallery that is one of the saddest in the series. Without much evidence, other than Perry's courtroom cross-examinations, someone leaps to their feet to proclaim guilt. It was just a poor episode all the way around. Lacking substance and material.