Cinemaniac
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Out this week (finally) on DVD is Perry Mason: The Sixth Season: Volume One (CBS/Paramount). Though the classic TV mystery series has been released season by season biannually, this season has been a long time coming. And it's worth the wait. Raymond Burr is irascible as ever as the wily attorney Perry Mason (based on the books by Erle Stanley Gardner). Barbara Hale is lovely as always as his devoted secretary Della Street and William Hopper is excellent as private eye Paul Drake. The list of cult superstars in cameos is unending. The Case Of The Bogus Book, about a sleazy rare book dealer selling stolen first editions, stars Allison Hayes (Attack Of The 50 Ft. Woman) and TV's Batman Adam West. Case Of The Unsuitable Uncle, about a wayfaring bad seed, stars Anna Lee (Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?), a young Barbara Parkins (Valley Of The Dolls) and Harvey Korman as a bartender. The Case Of The Dodging Domino, about blackmail over a plagiarized song, has a cast that includes David Hedison (The Fly), Rex Morrow (This Island Earth), Robert H. Harris (How To Make A Monster) and a young Ellen Burstyn (under the stage name "Ellen McRae") as a big musical star. Each of the 14 episodes look sensational, and all are enjoyably convoluted and insanely satisfying. 

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