Perry Mason 44-06-07 Case of the Puzzled Suitor

Summary

Perry Mason 44-06-07: The Case of the Puzzled Suitor

Release Date: January 8, 2025
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
Description: Dive into the Golden Age of Radio with classic shows like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, and Perry Mason. This episode features Perry Mason unraveling the mystery in "The Case of the Puzzled Suitor."

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Introduction to the Mystery

The episode opens with a classic Perry Mason setup, introducing Harriman C. Winthrop, a distinguished 64-year-old scientist who seeks Mason's legal expertise to draft his will. An enigmatic young woman had previously visited Mason's office, warning Winthrop about undue influence affecting his decision to update his will.

Notable Quote:

Narrator [00:13]: "Another brand new mystery story by Earl Stanley Gardner, creator of Perry Mason, master criminal lawyer, champion of justice, genius at solving mysteries."

Initial Meeting and Suspicion

Perry Mason meets with Harriman Winthrop, who is insistent on creating a new will immediately. Winthrop is notably cooperative but hints at hidden motives, especially concerning two individuals aware of his meeting with Mason: Lois Dalton, his secretary, and Marie Hamilton, his nurse.

Notable Quote:

Harriman C. Winthrop [03:28]: "Mr. Mason, I want to know who the young woman was."

Mason, displaying his cautious nature, probes Winthrop about the identities and descriptions of these two women, raising suspicions about possible undue influence or foul play.

Notable Quote:

Perry Mason [04:02]: "I see."

Details of the Will and Red Flags

Winthrop outlines his will: allocating $50,000 each to his physician, Dr. Frank Needham, and secretary, Lois Dalton, with the remaining estate split between his nurse, Marie Hamilton, and his old friend, John Hanley Stow. Mason questions the rationale behind leaving a significant portion to a nurse employed for only three months, highlighting potential motives for manipulation or coercion.

Notable Quote:

Perry Mason [05:39]: "I want to know something about John Hanley Stow."

This line underscores Mason's deep dive into the relationships and histories of the beneficiaries, sensing that something is amiss.

Intervention and Investigation Begins

After the initial meeting, Mason discreetly instructs his secretary, Bella (Margaret MacDonald), to have Paul Drake shadow Winthrop. His intention is to uncover Winthrop's activities and possibly identify the mysterious visitor who alerted him about undue influence.

Notable Quote:

Perry Mason [08:33]: "Something very fishy about all this. It smells to heaven."

Mason's intuition is strong, suspecting that the hastiness in drafting the will may mask a sinister agenda.

Confrontation with Marie Hamilton

Later, Marie Hamilton confronts Winthrop about the incomplete will, pushing him to expedite the process. Her aggressive demeanor and insistence raise further suspicion. During their interaction, Marie reveals her awareness of Mason's involvement and subtly hints at her own involvement in the undue influence.

Notable Quote:

Marie Hamilton [09:33]: "I can. That meddling little spitfire."

Her declaration implicates her directly, suggesting she may be the one manipulating Winthrop.

Cliffhanger and Anticipation

The episode concludes with a tense drive away from Winthrop, leaving listeners in suspense about the true identity of the mysterious woman and the potential dangers Winthrop faces by signing his will under pressure.

Notable Quote:

Narrator [11:08]: "Who is Mr. Winthrop's companion in the car? This woman who was so anxious to have the will signed. And why is it possible the elderly scientist is going to sign his own death warrant when he signs the document?"

Listeners are left eagerly awaiting the next installment, where Paul Drake's investigation promises to unveil the underlying threats in "The Case of the Puzzled Suitor."

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Behind the Scenes: Advertisements and Promotions

The transcript includes classic radio advertisements typical of the era, promoting products like Kama Mild Soap and Ivory Flakes, seamlessly integrated into the narrative. These segments provide a nostalgic glimpse into mid-20th-century consumer culture, enhancing the authentic Old Time Radio experience.

Notable Quote:

Margaret MacDonald [00:55]: "Change to Ivory Flakes care. It'll mean up to twice the wear your slips, your rayon dresses, your sweaters and blouses."

While these advertisements are part of the original broadcast, they are secondary to the main narrative and are typically skipped in focused content summaries.

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Conclusion and Reflection

"The Case of the Puzzled Suitor" masterfully blends legal drama with mystery, showcasing Perry Mason's unwavering commitment to justice and his keen investigative skills. Through intricate character interactions and suspenseful plot developments, listeners are immersed in a captivating tale that reflects the storytelling prowess of the Golden Age of Radio.

Final Thought:

Perry Mason's dedication to uncovering the truth ensures that even the most perplexing cases will be resolved with integrity and brilliance.

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This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key dialogues and plot points while providing context for listeners unfamiliar with the original broadcast.

Transcript

[Narrator]

The New Adventures of Perry Mason the Case of the Puzzle Suitor, Another brand new mystery story by Earl Stanley Gardner, creator of Perry Mason, master criminal lawyer, champion of justice, genius at solving mysteries. Brought to you every day, Monday through Friday, by Kama, the mild beauty soap for a smoother, softer complexion and Ivory Flakes, the flakes that help your clothes wear up to twice as long. And now, here's Margaret MacDonald.

[Margaret MacDonald]

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[Narrator]

Now, the new Adventures of Perry Mason. The case of the Puzzle Suitor. Perry Mason was more inclined to be amused than impressed when a mysterious young woman forced herself into his office to warn him that a man named Harriman C. Winthrop would be visiting the lawyer shortly to make a will, that he was being unduly influenced by malign forces. But when Mr. Winthrop actually did show up a few minutes later and did want to make a will, the lawyer was interested. So much so that he is put off a vacation to investigate. Right now, Perry Mason faces the distinguished 64 year old scientist, Harriman C. Winthrop.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Mr. Mason, I want to know who the young woman was.

[Perry Mason]

I've told you she didn't give her name.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Well, then describe her.

[Perry Mason]

Sorry, I can't do that. If you want to retain me under those circumstances.

[Narrator]

All right.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

It's all nonsense, that undue influence business. I know what I'm doing.

[Perry Mason]

In that case, do you want to tell me what's to be done with your property?

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Oh, all right. Probably just some idiotic woman passing on gossip. Yet there are only two people who knew I was coming here this afternoon.

[Perry Mason]

It might be a good idea to tell me who they are.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Lois Daltons, my secretary, and Marie Hamilton, my nurse.

[Perry Mason]

I see.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Now, look here, I think you owe it to me to tell me if your visitor was either of those girls.

[Perry Mason]

Not knowing either of them, I can hardly tell you which was which.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Well, I'll describe them to you. Lois Dalton, my secretary. She's about 24, average height. Weight about 112 or so. Light hair that curls around her neck. Very good figure. And bright blue eyes.

[Perry Mason]

I feel sure my visitor was not Ms. Dalton.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Aye. Marie Hamilton, my nurse, is pretty, too. She's dark with slate gray eyes. A little bit heavier than my secretary, but she's got a beautiful complexion.

[Perry Mason]

I'm certain it wasn't your nurse, but.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Those are the only two people who knew. I think you ought to describe your visitor.

[Perry Mason]

And I feel I shouldn't, Mr. Winthrop. Now, the question is, do you wish to retain me?

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Of course I do. You've got brains. If anything happens, you'll back that will up and make it stick.

[Perry Mason]

Under the circumstances, I want to be absolutely sure you're making this will of your own volition.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Of course I am. Got a pencil?

[Perry Mason]

Yes.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

All right, then. Now, here's the way I want my property to go. $50,000 in cash to my physician, Dr. Frank Needham.

[Perry Mason]

Frank Needham. I have that.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

And $50,000 to my secretary, Lois Dalton. When you got that?

[Perry Mason]

Lois Dalton. I have that.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

The balance of my property is to be divided share and share alike between Marie Hamilton, my nurse, and John Hanley Stow, my old friend and former partner.

[Perry Mason]

That will be a considerable amount.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Be a very considerable amount.

[Perry Mason]

I want to know something about John Hanley Stowe.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Well, John's an old friend of mine. We were partners years ago. He left the country and went to China, where he did a lot of writing. Then he got picked up by the Japs in Shanghai and held a prisoner. He's due to arrive in a few days on an exchange ship.

[Perry Mason]

You've been in touch with Mr. Stowe these past years?

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

More off and on. Nothing regular for several years. I sent him Rather large sums of money from our business partnership. Then we had a chance to sell out. We accepted the offer. I didn't write it so much after that.

[Perry Mason]

But you did write? Occasionally, yes.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

John's my best friend. That's why I want him in my will.

[Perry Mason]

And this Marie Hamilton, she's an old friend too.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Oh, she's my nurse.

[Perry Mason]

Trained nurse?

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

No, practical nurse. She's had training, but she didn't graduate. Very sensible young woman.

[Perry Mason]

How has she been with you long?

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Well, does that matter?

[Perry Mason]

I think it does.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Three months.

[Perry Mason]

And yet you're leaving her half your fortune.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Any objection?

[Perry Mason]

As your lawyer, it's my duty to point out that the situation might well cause some relative to appear and claim relative bar.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Cut them off with a dollar, no more, no less. One more thing. Provide that any beneficiary who contests this will in any way forfeits any money to be received. That's legal, isn't it?

[Perry Mason]

Properly worded, such a clause is legal.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Good. Can you dictate that right away?

[Perry Mason]

No.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Why not?

[Perry Mason]

There's some things I want to look up first.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

I want that will drawn up and signed by the time John Hanley Stowe arrives.

[Perry Mason]

Why?

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Because I do. Particularly in view of this talk of undue influence. I insist on having it all executed before John arrives.

[Perry Mason]

I see. I don't like to make up a will like this in a rush, barring an emergency.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Well, this is an emergency in a sense.

[Perry Mason]

Very well. You come back tomorrow at 2 and I'll have a draft of the will prepared.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

I'll be here. I have to use strong reading glasses these days on account of my eyes. May take me a little time to read it through. But I'll be here. Oh, good day.

[Perry Mason]

Oh, just a minute. I. I want to have a few words with my secretary. There may be one or two last minute suggestions. If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Certainly. If you should decide to give me a description of that visitor, I'll consider it.

[Perry Mason]

Bella. Bella, where are you?

[Margaret MacDonald]

I'm right here, chief, in the law library.

[Perry Mason]

Oh, I didn't see you.

[Margaret MacDonald]

What is it, Chief?

[Perry Mason]

I'm keeping Winthrop in my office for a few minutes. Meantime, I want you to go down the hall and get Paul Drake. Tell him to shadow Winthrop when he leaves my office. I want to find out where he goes and what he does.

[Margaret MacDonald]

Is that all?

[Perry Mason]

Tell Drake to find out something about Marie Hamilton, the nurse, Lois Dalton, the secretary, and John Hanley Stowe, the friend arriving on the exchangeship. You got that?

[Margaret MacDonald]

Yes, Chief. I have It. Try to keep him in your office a few minutes so Paul Drake has a chance, will you?

[Perry Mason]

I'll do the best I can, but tell him to hurry. Something very fishy about all this. It smells to heaven. Why, it's Nurse, for one thing. After three months, he leaves her a big slice of his fortune. Why?

[Margaret MacDonald]

Maybe she's the one that's bringing the undue influence to bear. First she gets him to make a will in her favor, and then. Oh, Chief, people have been murdered for reasons like that.

[Perry Mason]

Exactly. So get going. Get Paul Drake on the job.

[Marie Hamilton]

You were gone long enough. Did you get it signed?

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

No.

[Marie Hamilton]

You didn't? Why not?

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Don't be silly. Those things take time.

[Marie Hamilton]

I should think when a person of your standing makes out a will, you could get it done right away. Just say I'm Herriman C. Winthrop and I'm in a hurry. I know they wouldn't push me around like that. Not even the great Perry Mason.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Go on, will ya? I want to get home tired and nervous.

[Marie Hamilton]

All right, but tell me first why he couldn't get it drawn up for you.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Because he has to dictate it and get it ready for my signature.

[Marie Hamilton]

Oh, but you did give it to him.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Of course I gave it to him.

[Marie Hamilton]

When's he going to have it done?

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Tomorrow afternoon, I hope.

[Marie Hamilton]

I still think you should have stayed right there till you got it all settled.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

He's going to rush it through as fast as he can. Don't worry about it. He'll have it before John Stow gets here.

[Marie Hamilton]

I don't see why you can't get a simple thing like a few words written down on paper and just sign your name.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

But I want it to be right. I want my will to stand up. Thing that worries me, though, is that woman.

[Perry Mason]

What woman?

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

Mason told me someone was in his office just before I got there. She told him I was coming to see him. What? Yes, that's right. Then she told him that I was being unduly influenced. Can't figure out who it could be.

[Marie Hamilton]

You can't? Well, I can. That meddling little spitfire.

[Margaret MacDonald]

Oh, no.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

I know you're wrong. Oh, it's somebody else.

[Marie Hamilton]

But nobody else knew.

[Harriman C. Winthrop]

That's what I thought. I must have been wrong.

[Narrator]

And as the car drives off, we wonder what this conversation means. Who is Mr. Winthrop's companion in the car? This woman who was so anxious to have the will signed. And why is it possible the elderly scientist is going to sign his own death warrant when he signs the document? He's in such a Rush to get. Tomorrow we'll hear Paul Drake's report on the principles in this dramatic case of the Puzzle Su. Friends, have you ever thought of this that your complexion is actually the background for all the rest of your features. For example, if your skin is lovely, smooth and soft, why against that background all your other features, your hair, your eyes are at their very best. Your complexion, you see, is a lot more than just your complexion. And that's why you ought to try wonderfully mild Camay. Because just one cake of marvelously mild camay can give you a smoother, softer, younger looking complexion. Simply change from improper skin care to regular, gentle, really mild care with Cam A. And just one cake of Cam A will give you the lovelier skin that will emphasize and bring out the best in all your other features. Now I mean that sincerely because we had doctors, skin specialists actually test Cam A's mild gentle cleansing. They had woman after woman try it. Now listen, most of those women soon had definitely smoother, softer, younger looking complexions. And you can do the same. Simply change to the Kama method of really correct mild cleansing without irritation. It's called the Kama Mild Soap. Diet directions are right on the Kama wrapper. And remember, one cake, your very first cake of Kama can give you the smoother, softer, the younger looking skin that will make you a lovelier woman. Remember, thousands of America's loveliest brides use. Can they? The New Adventures of Perry Mason are brought to you every day, Monday through Friday by Kama, the mild beauty soap for a smoother, softer complexion and ivory flakes, the flakes that help your clothes wear up to twice as long. Now this is Alan Kent inviting you to listen again tomorrow to the New Adventures of Harry Mason. Some people are getting extra ration points. You can too by turning in your old used cooking fat. Every drop is needed to save soldiers lives. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.