---
title: "Perry Mason"
year: 1957
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/perry-mason-1957"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 4177
imdb_id: "tt0050051"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 9
episodes_count: 271
runtime_minutes: 52
community_rating: 7.7
vote_count: 138
content_rating: "TV-PG"
---

# Perry Mason (1957) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/perry-mason-1957

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Perry Mason is an American legal drama series that aired on CBS from September 21, 1957, to May 22, 1966. The program centers on a master criminal defense attorney based in Los Angeles who works with his staff to handle difficult cases in aid of the innocent. The title character, Perry Mason, was originally created by author Erle Stanley Gardner for his detective fiction novels. Many episodes of the television series were based on the stories written by Gardner. The show features Raymond Burr in the title role, with a supporting cast that includes Barbara Hale, William Hopper, and Ray Collins. Recognized as a landmark in the genre of courtroom dramas, the series remains a notable entry in television history. The production documents the legal trials and professional efforts of Mason as he defends his clients. Detailed guides exist to track the titles and original air dates for the episodes produced throughout the series run.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A brilliant criminal defense attorney fights to prove the innocence of his clients in difficult legal cases."

### Why Watch
- compelling legal mysteries
- strong lead performance

### Caveats & Content Note
- black and white format
- episodic structure
- Tone & Suitability: The series is a standard legal drama suitable for general audiences.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: legal, classic, dramatic, procedural

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | None |
| **Canada (CA)** | None | Pluto TV | CosmoGo |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (39 Episodes)
The first season of Perry Mason establishes the attorney's reputation for composure and his sharp instinct for truth. The series revolves around a criminal case in each episode where the accused seems doomed from the start. Perry Mason, supported by Della Street and investigator Paul Drake, dismantles appearances and exposes the real culprit through methodical investigation and courtroom twists. The cases involve trapped inheritances, troubled marriages, false confessions, family schemes, and crimes staged as accidents. The series aired on CBS and features a master criminal defense attorney and his staff handling the most difficult cases in the aid of the innocent.

### Season 2 (30 Episodes)
Perry Mason Season 2 continues the overarching saga across thirty episodes. The television and film archivist reference details the master criminal defense cases presented in the series. The narrative explores the premise that almost anyone is capable of a crime under certain circumstances. The season follows the ongoing legal and investigative work of criminal defense attorney Perry Mason as he handles various complex mystery, drama, and crime cases within the overarching framework of the television series. No additional specific plot events, character names, or spoiler details are provided in the source material beyond these broad thematic elements of the master criminal defense cases spanning thirty episodes.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S2)**:
- Perry Mason is a master criminal defense attorney.
- The series explores the premise that almost anyone is capable of a crime under certain circumstances.
- The overarching saga spans thirty episodes.
- The show falls under the mystery, drama, and crime genres.

### Season 3 (26 Episodes)
Perry Mason Season 3 continues the overarching saga across 26 episodes. The cases of master criminal defense form the core of the television series. Perry Mason is a master criminal defense attorney who takes on challenging cases. Throughout the season, various individuals find themselves accused of crimes, and almost anyone is capable of a crime under certain circumstances. As a mystery, drama, and crime television production, the show follows the legal investigations and courtroom battles led by Mason. The narrative focuses on uncovering the truth behind complex criminal charges, defending innocent clients, and exposing actual perpetrators through careful legal maneuvering and investigative work. Each episode presents a unique set of circumstances, testing the skills and dedication of the defense team as they navigate the intricacies of the law and human behavior.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S3)**:
- Perry Mason operates as a master criminal defense attorney.
- The series focuses on mystery, drama, and crime investigations.
- Cases involve individuals who may be capable of a crime under certain circumstances.
- The overarching saga spans multiple episodes dealing with complex legal challenges.

### Season 4 (28 Episodes)
Perry Mason Season 4 continues the overarching saga across twenty-eight episodes, following the cases of the master criminal defense attorney. The television series, classified under mystery, drama, and crime, explores the premise that almost anyone is capable of a crime under certain circumstances. As part of the ongoing narrative arc, the season presents legal mysteries and courtroom dramas centered on the defense work of Perry Mason. The provided materials do not contain further specific plot details, episode titles, guest stars, or character names beyond the overarching description of the series provided by the source database.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S4)**:
- Perry Mason is a master criminal defense attorney who handles challenging legal cases.
- The series explores the theme that almost anyone is capable of a crime under certain circumstances.
- The overarching saga is presented across twenty-eight episodes in this season.
- The program falls under the mystery, drama, and crime television genres.

### Season 5 (30 Episodes)
Perry Mason Season 5 continues the overarching saga across thirty episodes. The television series follows the cases of master criminal defense. Almost anyone is capable of a crime under certain circumstances. As part of the mystery, drama, and crime genres, the season maintains the established format of the television show. The narrative continues the professional endeavors of the master criminal defense attorney as he tackles various legal cases. Viewers follow the unfolding courtroom drama and investigative procedures inherent in each case presented throughout the thirty episodes of the fifth season. The dramatic structure centers on the premise that almost anyone is capable of a crime under certain circumstances, testing the characters within the legal and investigative framework of the series. The season is documented as part of the ongoing television database records for the 1957 series.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S5)**:
- Perry Mason operates as a master criminal defense attorney.
- The series focuses on mystery, drama, and crime genres.
- The narrative premise explores the idea that almost anyone is capable of a crime under certain circumstances.
- The show spans multiple episodes across its ongoing television run.

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 153
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 7 (5%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 146 (95%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Creative Credits

- **Created by**: Erle Stanley Gardner
- **Networks / Studios**: CBS

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Raymond Burr** as *Perry Mason*
- **Barbara Hale** as *Della Street*
- **William Hopper** as *Paul Drake*
- **William Talman** as *Hamilton Burger*
- **Ray Collins** as *Lieutenant Tragg*
- **Lee Miller** as *Sgt. Brice*
- **George E. Stone** as *Court Clerk*
- **Dabbs Greer** as *Bill Cotton*
- **Wesley Lau** as *Lt. Anderson*
- **Richard Anderson** as *Lt. Steve Drumm*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Who plays the title character?
The title character is played by Raymond Burr.

### Q: When did the series air?
The series aired on CBS from September 21, 1957, to May 22, 1966.

### Q: Who created the series?
The series was created by Erle Stanley Gardner.

### Q: What is the premise?
The show follows a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer and his staff as they handle difficult cases.

### Q: Are there other versions of this show?
The series inspired a 1973 revival, television movies from 1985 to 1995, and a 2020 reboot.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Perry Mason (1957 TV series) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Mason_(1957_TV_series))
- [Perry Mason (TV Series 1957–1966) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050051/)
- [your sign to never take the stairs again #OfficeRomanceNetflix | netflix](https://www.tiktok.com/@netflix/video/7652885553439870222)
- [Perry Mason (TV Series 1957-1966) — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/4177-perry-mason)
- [Rediscover the Iconic Mystery: Why Perry Mason (1957) Remains a ...](https://beyondpopculture.com/rediscover-the-iconic-mystery-why-perry-mason-1957-remains-a-timeless-classic/)
- [Perry Mason (1957) (a Titles & Air Dates Guide) - epguides.com](https://epguides.com/perrymason/)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*