“‘The typist is here, Mr. Mason.’ Mason nodded and stretched back in his chair. Della started to pick up his brief, but hesitated as Gertie came in and carefully closed the door behind her.“‘What’s the trouble, Gertie?’“‘What did you say to frighten her, Mr. Mason!’“Mason glanced at Della Street. “‘Heavens,’ Della said, ‘I didn’t talk with her … Continue reading RISING TEMP-ERATURES! The Case of the Terrified Typist
BUCOLICS ANONYMOUS: The Perry Mason Connection, Part 2
We’re talking about some of the great actors who excelled in playing country folks and who appeared all over the TV screen in Western dramas and comedies. Last time, we examined Parley Baer, Ben Cooper, and Frank Ferguson. Today we’re going to talk about two more terrific character actors whose careers and range of character … Continue reading BUCOLICS ANONYMOUS: The Perry Mason Connection, Part 2
BUCOLICS ANONYMOUS: The Perry Mason Connection, Part I
Ask me if I’m a town mouse or a country mouse, and there’s no doubt about it: I’ve always favored the city. I’d rather stay in an Air B&B in the heart of London or a nice hotel in New York City than roll my sleeping bag out under the stars. The same goes for … Continue reading BUCOLICS ANONYMOUS: The Perry Mason Connection, Part I
HIYA, HIATUS!
hiatus (n.) – a temporary break, pause or interruption in an ongoing activity, work or series Hello, my fellow mystery lovers! This month marks eleven years of Ah Sweet Mystery! I can’t believe the time has gone so fast, or how much I still enjoy delivering my thoughts to you about our favorite genre, whether it’s … Continue reading HIYA, HIATUS!
THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 4: The Birds
Leave it to Alfred Hitchcock to take a Daphne Du Maurier short story about an ornithological Armageddon and turn it into a love story about family healing. By the end of 1963’s The Birds, Melanie Daniels (the Hitchcock blonde who has replaced Du Maurier’s doomed farmer, played by "Tippi" Hedren) has traded in her bitterness for true … Continue reading THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 4: The Birds
CUCKOO HONKAKU: Murder at the End of the World
“So. What d’you think your last words will be?” Twenty-three-year-old Haru is having a rotten year. She finally found a job, and the company went under. Her mother deserted the family, and her father hanged himself - and left it to Haru to cut down the body. Two of her only three friends just died … Continue reading CUCKOO HONKAKU: Murder at the End of the World
THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 3: The Men of Psycho
When Alfred Hitchcock decided to adapt Robert Bloch’s 1959 horror novel Psycho for the big screen, he faced a mountain of objections from the heads of Paramount Studios, who were appalled at the subject matter. Hitchcock’s negotiations included his offer to film on the cheap, in black and white, using the crew from his successful TV series, Alfred … Continue reading THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 3: The Men of Psycho
ALL HER WORLD’S A STAGE: Theatricality in the Novels and Stories of Agatha Christie, Chapter 8: Spotlight on the Sleuths
We’ve spoken at length about criminals utilizing dissembling and disguise in order to (sometimes literally) mask their guilt – but what of the detective? The history of fictional sleuths donning a disguise to infiltrate a villain’s lair or track down a vital clue is long and fascinating - and, most significantly, based on truth. The … Continue reading ALL HER WORLD’S A STAGE: Theatricality in the Novels and Stories of Agatha Christie, Chapter 8: Spotlight on the Sleuths
MASON IN THE EMERALD CITY: The Case of the Green-Eyed Sister
Since time immemorial – well, say the last hundred years – a detective’s secretary has been the front line of information about new clients. Her first impression says everything! “’There’s a girl wants to see you. Her name’s Wonderly.’ “’A customer?’ “’I guess so. You’ll want to see her anyway: she’s a knockout.’” Okay, Effie … Continue reading MASON IN THE EMERALD CITY: The Case of the Green-Eyed Sister
THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 2: The Biddies
I’m a big fan of screen biddies, those wonderful older women who always steal the scene from the big stars with their sarcastic eye-rolling and witty shenanigans. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were all the better for having had Helen Broderick in two of their films. Broderick became the second biddy to play Miss Hildegarde … Continue reading THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 2: The Biddies
Ah Sweet Mystery! 