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William Hopper was happy to play Perry Mason's main man on the series
William Hopper didn't mind being in the background as long as he was next to Raymond Burr.
The only private eye who didn't have a girl (or two) by his side was Perry Mason's Paul Drake. The only woman Drake really talked to was Della Street, Mason's legal secretary, and even then, he was only allowed to say a quick "Hello," before taking orders from Mason.
According to a 1960 interview with The Buffalo News, William Hopper, who played the role of Paul Drake for nine seasons, said Drake almost had a moment with a girl in season four.
There was a chance for Drake to walk out with a female witness. Their flirty interchanges were filmed but then cut from the episode. He was so close.
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Of all the actors playing investigators, Hopper — with the exception of Craig Stevens in Peter Gunn — appeared most likely to attract the lady viewers. However, Hopper's looks were never put to good use because he and Perry Mason were too steady in the courtroom.
Many women did find Hopper's Paul Drake to be attractive, but with a co-star like Raymond Burr, it's hard to come in first. The best part? Hopper said he didn't mind being Mason's go-to man.
"I like playing pals with the stars," Hopper said. "If this series ever stops, I only hope I can find another series to be pals again. Let the stars do all the work."
According to the interview, many actors auditioned to play the leading role when Perry Mason was in the early stages. It boiled down to two people: Raymond Burr and William Hopper. Hopper lost out on the leading role and was offered the part of Drake.
"I turned it down," Hopper said. "I should have had my head examined, but I said no flatly. Then such a good deal was made that I had to sign. It turned out just fine. Look at the job Ray is doing with Mason. I couldn't have done it."
In a 1962 interview with The Shreveport Journal, Hopper said his character in the Erle Gardner Stanley books was entirely different than his portrayal of him.
"If they thought they were getting Paul Drake, they were mistaken," Hopper said. "Because what they got was me, nobody else. I play him my way. Now I'm amused to read Gardner's new books. Paul Drake comes out like me."
Perry Mason lasted for nine seasons, which came as a surprise for Hopper. Hopper didn't mind playing second in command to Mason — he actually preferred it — even if it meant not having a girl by his side.
"I've seen what it has done to him," Hopper said. "The poor guy has had to dedicate his life to Perry Mason. I remember in the first two years, he used to stay up until midnight every night to work out changes that would improve the script."
"Even now he must live at the studio while we're working," Hopper said. "He has no life outside whatsoever. He has a beautiful house at the beach, but he never sees it. Luckily, he is the kind of guy who is dedicated to activity. If he has nothing to do for three weeks, he ends up in the hospital."
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And actually I think there WAS an episode which ends with Paul taking out a beautiful witness to dinner or something.
Raymond Burr was up for the part of Hamilton Burger.
He even tested for the part (the test can be found on Youtube).
Burr also tested for Mason - and Erle Stanley Gardner saw that test and called out "THAT'S Perry Mason!"
And the rest is history.
The only other TV detective that seem to get paid and get paid well was William Conrad‘s character Cannon.
