Chips are Down for Perry Mason
Air Force Lt. Col. Kevin Parks (Larry Wilcox) is aiming to appeal for the second time a conviction having been tried and convicted of murdering Amy Beth Sawyer (Dotty Coloroso). Despite having been a judge in the first appeals court, Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) had to turn down his appeal but some thing didn't sit right with him and with his team has found another witness for the defence. But when that witness is murdered Perry, Della (Barbara Hale) and Paul (William Katt) find themselves not only investigating but taking over Parks' case.
I am going to stop that synopsis for "Perry Mason: The Case of the Avenging Ace" simply because this has to be one of the most contrived Perry Mason TV movies I have come across. Just take what I have told you we have Parks convicted for murder, Perry Mason was a judge on his first appeal, helps find a witness for his second appeal and then after that witness is killed Mason ends up his defence lawyer. If that doesn't sound contrived it gets worse as the connections become more convoluted although it certainly makes for an entertaining 90 minutes.
The thing is that aside from the convoluted nature of Mason taking on Parks' case the rest of this TV movie is pretty standard. Actually the one thing which might surprise some is seeing William Katt in the role of Mason's detective as he played Paul Drake Jr. in these Perry Mason movies during the 80s before William R. Moses came in as Ken Malansky. But whilst it is a different character it is essentially the same role as we watch Paul do all the investigating leg work and ending up in danger whilst doing this.
What this all boils down to is that "Perry Mason: The Case of the Avenging Ace" is an entertaining drama for fans of Perry Mason although for me it is one which suffers because of its convoluted, contrived nature.
Tags: Perry Mason
