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
THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 1: Rear Window
My favorite author is Agatha Christie. My favorite director is Alfred Hitchcock. And never the twain shall meet. And why should they? Hitchcock wasn’t much interested in whodunnits, and goodness knows what Christie thought about the movie industry. (Actually, she loved going to the movies . . . as long as they weren’t based on … Continue reading THE PERRY MASON/ALFRED HITCHCOCK CONNECTION, PT. 1: Rear Window
SAYONARA TO ST. MARY MEAD: Death After Evensong
Knowing full well that my favorite mystery author got her start after working in the pharmaceutical business (dispensing drugs, don’t ya know!), you would think that another writer with a similar resume might spark a similar interest. And wouldn’t you know it? This month my Book Club has decided to look into the writings of … Continue reading SAYONARA TO ST. MARY MEAD: Death After Evensong
“The stuff that dreams are made of, Della” – The Perry Mason/Maltese Falcon Connection
It should come as no surprise to you how much I love and admire The Maltese Falcon. It seems I’m always ranking the book or the film on one list or another. Why, only recently, I named it the best film noir of all time. As for detective Sam Spade, I placed him among the Top Twenty Greatest … Continue reading “The stuff that dreams are made of, Della” – The Perry Mason/Maltese Falcon Connection
CHECK OUT THE FALL ENSEMBLE: The Three Amigos Will Be Wearing Plaid
Despite our busy schedules, as author and podcaster (Sergio Angelini), author and actor (Nick Cardillo) and author, blogger, cat herder and book club moderator (yours truly), the Three Amigos frequently touch base, either to gather for a draft of great mysteries in film or literature, or to discuss what our next draft should be. This … Continue reading CHECK OUT THE FALL ENSEMBLE: The Three Amigos Will Be Wearing Plaid
THE FAMILY THAT SLAYS TOGETHER: The Perry Mason/Peyton Place Connection
In the early days of television, serialized programming was rarely to be found in prime-time. This might seem odd because people like long sagas with character arcs and cliffhangers. (Think of all those people waiting on the docks of New York to find out if Little Nell was alive or dead in The Old Curiosity Shop!) … Continue reading THE FAMILY THAT SLAYS TOGETHER: The Perry Mason/Peyton Place Connection
DARRIN’S GOT TWO DADS! The Perry Mason/Bewitched Connection, Pt. 2
In our exploration of the original teleplays developed for Perry Mason and all the terrific character actors who appeared on that show, we’ve been looking at the crossover these performers had with other favorite shows of mine from the 1960’s. Last time, we looked at four actors who crossed over from the sparkling ABC sitcom Bewitched to everyone’s favorite … Continue reading DARRIN’S GOT TWO DADS! The Perry Mason/Bewitched Connection, Pt. 2
Ah Sweet Mystery! 