Perry Mason

Season one

I love noir.

‘Double Indemnity’

‘The Maltese Falcon’

‘The Long Goodbye’

‘Chinatown’

These are among the greatest films of all time, all landmarks of Hollywood history.  The novels adapted for these productions, by Cain, Hammet & Chandler, are now considered classics of twentieth century fiction and constitute cornerstone works in the crime genre. 

Noir imagery permeates popular culture: the world weary, cynical PI boasting deadpan wit together with  the allure of the femme fatale as they stalk mist-filled urban environments like revenging spirits. It’s powerful stuff.

Yet the genre, like the western, has declined from its ubiquity of the early twentieth century.

Yet I’m confident that HBO’s reimagined ‘Perry Mason’ will address and ultimately help counter this sad downturn.

The 1930’s era production values are outstanding. The viewer is transfixed by authentic period detail while also appreciating that the  show captures the era not merely with props and costumes but with a true understanding of the realities of life within the period: from the limited role of women to racial inequality together with a deep portrayal of life during the Great Depression. The ill -fated  ‘ bonus army’ even makes an appearance.

All of this is consolidated by a commanding lead performance by Welsh born Matthew Rhys, best known as Philip in the excellent Cold War drama, ‘ The Americans’. He one of the finest actors working today. 

This new ‘Perry Mason’ pays homage, often in delightful ways, to the original television show but manages to transcend the classic TV movies. I have not, it most be noted, yet read any of the Erle Stanley Gardner novels. As one would expect of HBO, this incarnation is darker, grittier, more violent and features more sex than previous adaptations. Intriguingly, the show succeeds both as a private- detective style noir and as a courtroom drama.

As the greatest period dramas must, ‘Perry Mason’ acts both as a window and a mirror as the viewer is reminded of modern social issues: fake news, the combustible fusion of religion and mass-media and the interaction between the police and those policed are all addressed. 

‘Perry Mason’ and noir in general, remains the perfect entertainment for our cynical age.