Perry Mason & the Return of the Sleuth

[gary webb]

HBO's Perry Mason is good. I read a critique in the Atlantic which
criticized the tone, but the noir appropriate. Raymond Burr still
epitomizes the role. Fans can't get past that squeaky clean visage, which
no doubt he helped cultivate. My introduction to the career of Raymond Burr
was his his 1957 flick Crime of Passion
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_of_Passion_(1957_film)) with the
immortal Barbra Stanwyck. His greatest performance is in 1948's Raw Deal (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_Deal_(1948_film)). His most memorable is
in Rear Window. He creates an oppressive aura of suspense despite having
virtually no lines.

I like the PI element of the show. The character is less Perry Mason,
dapper defense attorney, and more Philip Marlowe. Raymond Chandler tapped
into something eternal in LA. The city from the 30s to the 50s is his. I
like the addition of the Bunker Hill neighborhood to the story(
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunker_Hill,_Los_Angeles#Angels_Flight_tramwa
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunker_Hill,_Los_Angeles#Angels_Flight_tramway>
).