This first entry, a good one, shows how much the series changed over the nine years (1957-1966). Note how Mason (Burr) sports a loud jacket, smokes conspicuously, shakes his devious client, and generally acts in ways contrary to his later ultra-conservative demeanor. That's understandable, since at this point Mason's not yet the embodiment of the criminal justice system that he came to be with his button-down suits, professionally serious manner, and flawless manuevering. Also, the plots do not yet follow the later whodunit formula. Note in this initial 60 minutes how the guessing game concerns the murder gun more than who used it. Note too, how several of the interviews occur outdoors, probably on the studio lot, and not indoors on a sound stage. Later episodes tended to over-use the indoors (even the same staircase set), probably for cost-cutting reasons.
As one fan of the series, I do prefer these earlier entries since they're generally livelier, more colorful, and less predictable in format. Nonetheless, it's understandable that the Mason character would have to evolve in a conservative direction with the show's success. After all, as a defense attorney who never loses, he's showing up the prosecution week after week. On one hand, such positive outcomes prove that the system works-- the innocent are exonerated when the guilty confess. On the other hand, the prosecution puts innocent people on trial week after week who might otherwise be convicted without Mason's superb skills. The viewing public would never have tolerated a wise-guy in the Mason role for very long. And it's a tribute to Raymond Burr, the actor, that he manages the changes over the nine years as well as he does.
This first entry plays more like How-can-I-get-my-client-off than the trademark whodunit. Surprise, surprise, Mason's client is a shapely redhead (Blake). At one time or another, it seems Mason rescued about every starlet in Hollywood from Berger's well-intentioned clutches. This one sets that pace.