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Reviews
Perry Mason: The Case of the Daring Decoy (1958)
Mason elicits a confession ... as usual ... but with a surprise twist
In this whodunit, Mason is confronted with a challenge. His client's fingerprints are found at the murder scene, his client is in possession of the gun used to kill the victim, and his client was observed by the elevator operator taking a devious route from the murder scene to avoid detection.
As usual, Mason, pitted against Burger and Trask, is aided by the always-demure Della Street, private secretary, and the always-smoking Paul Drake, private detective.
Mason is pretty sure he knows who the killer really is, and when his suspect takes the stand, Mason attacks with a vengeance. But Mason is wrong!! The person he suspected of killing the victim didn't do it, even though there's a gaping hole in the suspect's alibi.
But the unflappable defense attorney doesn't miss a beat. He recalls an earlier witness and using psychology, strategy, and a pair of shoes, elicits a confession.
In the closing moments, Della speaks coyly to Perry about "a merger" of two "interests" -- meaning a marriage. But, of course, she's not talking about her and Perry, but about the now-absolved defendant and a key witness.
The Jazz Singer (1927)
First "Talkie" in General Circulation
I rate the movie a "10" for its historical significance. "The Jazz Singer" is the answer to the perennial trivia question, "What was the first sound motion picture?" Certainly there were other talkies before this, but this one, the first feature-length talkie in the world -- is the one that turned Hollywood and the movie-going public on its ear.
It's fascinating. We think of "The Jazz Singer" as a talkie, but most of the picture is in typical "silent pictures" style -- with intertitles (title cards) to convey character dialog. Only with Jolson's vocal numbers and two other scenes is the new sound technology is used, and we hear the voice of the man many have called the world's greatest entertainer.
Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Show No. 503 (2001)
Sid Steals the Show
Sid Caesar was about 80 when he appeared as the special guest on the "Salute to American Television" episode of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" hosted by Drew Carey. Both cast and audience obviously adored the pioneer star of television, giving him standing ovations both at the beginning and the end of his appearance.
In a skit that clearly was right up the comedian's alley, Sid and Drew, seated at a table, improvised dialog for a foreign language spy thriller. On cue from Brad Sherwood, the two would speak in gibberish that sounded like various foreign languages (French, German, Russian, Japanese), and their lines would be "translanted" by Colin Mochrie and Wayne Brady. Sid delivered his impromptu lines with verve, humor, and a level of acting and facial expression seldom seen on this slapstick comedy.
Sid walked slowly and with the aid of a cane, but it was obvious to this viewer that he is still and always will be the one to honor and adore for all that he did to bring comedy and class to the medium of television when it was in its infancy. (DVDs and VHS tapes of many of the pioneer's early shows are available at his web site, www.sidcaesar.com.)