Perry Mason (crime drama, starring Raymond Burr)

     (CBS Primetime, 1957 - 1966;
      Syndicated;
      CBS Primetime, 1973 - 1974 [revival with Monte Markham])

     [from novels of Erle Stanley Gardner; previously featured 
      in films; and on a radio series on CBS, 1943 - 1955;

      This legendary black and white crime & punishment series 
      from the fifties had a nine-season run on the CBS TV network, 
      and ran for many years in syndication; Part of its charm was 
      the noir-style of the production, plus the ensemble cast which
      included Raymond Burr in the lead role as the shrewd Los Angeles
      lawyer who always got the innocent off and pointed the finger
      at the true guilty party at the last moment in court;

      The rest of the brilliantly cast ensemble deserve credit too --
      Barbara Hale as Mason's secretary Della Street, William Talman
      as the no-nonsense D.A. Hamilton Burger who always lost the case
      against Perry Mason, Ray Collins as the police Lieutenant Tragg,
      and William Hopper (Hedda Hopper's real-life son) played Paul
      Drake -- the private investigator often hired by Perry Mason
      to dig up the last shred of exculpatory evidence.

      Then in 1973 CBS attempted a revival with Monte Markham in
      the lead role, which was unable to reproduce the chemistry
      or success of the old series and was cancelled after a season...]


Theme (1957 - 1966): "Perry Mason Theme"

    [original title: "Park Avenue Beat" -- on the original manuscript, 
     verified in correspondence with the composer 1/21/99;
     
     "Perry Mason Theme" verified as the THEME in the TV Guide article
     "When The Melody Lingers On..." May 17, 1958, pp. 22-23;
     
     Also verified as the THEME in TV Guide article "Looking
     For A Lost Chord?" April 28, 1962, pp. 12-13;]

     Composer: Frederick ("Fred") Steiner (ASCAP)

     1978 Publishers: T. B. Harms, Inc. New Account (ASCAP), and
                      April Music, Inc. (ASCAP)

     1998 Publishers: Polygram International Publishing (ASCAP),
                        of Los Angeles, CA; and
                      Aspenfair Music Inc./Special Account (ASCAP),
                        c/o CBS, Inc.,
                        of New York, NY.

     Copyright Date: Oct. 28, 1957; Eu 498 392.
     Renewal Date:   Nov. 25, 1985; RE-266-067.

     Recordings:
          LP: "Impact"
               Buddy Morrow and his Orchestra
               in arrangements by Ray Martin
               RCA-Victor LPM/LSP-2042 (1959)

          CD Re-issue: "Impact"
               Buddy Morrow and his Orchestra
               in arrangements by Ray Martin.
               BMG (Spain) 74321609942 (1998)


Theme 2 (for the revival version of 1973 - 1974): "Theme for Perry Mason"

    [aka: "Perry Mason"]

     Composer: Earle Hagen (ASCAP/BMI)
              [professional name of Earle Harry Hagen]

     1978 Publisher:

     2002 Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing - Fox Special Acct.
                         c/o Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
                         of Los Angeles

     Copyright Date: 1973, Eu 434 307.
     Renewal Date:

     Recordings:


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