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What made Perry Mason an international success?
"No show has a more enthusiastic cast."
Of course, a show like Perry Mason is incredible, but what is it about the show that cemented its place in television history? Plenty of crime shows come and go, but Perry Mason is consistently recognized as THE crime show, no matter how many years it's been off the air.
Raymond Burr had his own opinions on why the series was so successful. Burr played the title character, Perry Mason, and there was perhaps no one closer to the series than the actor who had played him for years.
Burr explained that to him, the show's success came from the hard work of both the cast and crew.
"In the first place it is done better, so far as production values are concerned, than any other television show," said Burr during an interview with the Liverpool Echo. "And no show has a more enthusiastic cast."
Not only was Perry Mason a hit domestically, but it also enjoyed international success. "Many of the countries in which the program is televised have different systems of courtroom justice, but it is worth noting that ours is nevertheless the number one show."
Burr maintained that a show is only as good as its source material, and made sure to give duo thanks to the original author of the Perry Mason book series that the show was based on. Not only that, but Burr explained that the author of Perry Mason was kept close to the series in order to provide an expert set of eyes to review any episode before it went into production.
"It is done with authenticity," said Burr. "Erle Stanley Garner, who created the Perry Mason character in his books, goes over every script before it goes into production."
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