Perry Mason: Season 08 (1964)

Perry Mason may have slipped out of the "Top Thirty" TV series during its seventh season on the air, but CBS decided to renew it for an eighth year all the same, acknowledging the fact that the series still had a loyal cotillion of fans and strong sponsor support. That Raymond Burr was growing tired of his Perry Mason role was evidently only in his conspicous absence in two episodes this season, in which he is replaced by Mike Connors and Barry Sullivan, respectively cast as "guest attorneys" Joe Kelly and Ken Krammer. Otherwise, Burr's performance is as sharp as ever, and the same can be said for costars Barbara Hale, William Hopper and William Talman. Likewise registering well is series newcomer Wesley Lau, cast as Lt. Anderson, successor to Mason's perennial adversary Lt. Tragg (actor Ray Collins had retired in late 1963; he died one year later). Guest stars this season include June Lockhart, between her Lassie and Lost in Space assignments; former Miss Americas Mary Ann Mobley and Lee Meriwether; future movie-studio executive Lynn Loring; and celebrity offspring Gary Crosby. Also, Bill Williams, the husband of series regular Barbara Hale, makes his third guest appearance in "The Case of the Murderous Mermaid". Although Perry Mason's improved slightly this season, the network opted to move the show to the Sunday-night suicide slot opposite Bonanza for its ninth (and is turned out, its final) year on the air. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi