History of Perry Mason in Timeline

Perry Mason is a fictional criminal defense lawyer created by Erle Stanley Gardner. Featured in 82 novels and four short stories, Mason's cases invariably involve a client accused of murder. The plots follow a formula where Mason skillfully defends his client, often through courtroom drama and clever investigation, ultimately revealing the true killer. The character is said to be loosely based on the real-life lawyer Earl Rogers. Perry Mason stories have been adapted into numerous films, radio programs, and TV series, solidifying his place as a famous fictional lawyer.

1933: The Case of the Velvet Claws

In 1933, The Case of the Velvet Claws, the first novel featuring Perry Mason, was published, where Mason describes himself.

1934: The Case of the Howling Dog and The Case of the Curious Bride

In 1934, Mason manipulates evidence and witnesses, resulting in the acquittal of the murderer in The Case of the Howling Dog and The Case of the Curious Bride was released.

1935: The Case of the Counterfeit Eye

In 1935, Perry Mason breaks the law several times in The Case of the Counterfeit Eye including manufacturing false evidence.

1935: The Case of the Sleepwalker's Niece

In 1935, The Case of the Sleepwalker's Niece was published; its first chapter mentions that Mason's astrological sign was Leo.

1937: The Case of the Dangerous Dowager

In 1937, the Perry Mason novel The Case of the Dangerous Dowager was released.

1940: Release of Granny Get Your Gun

In 1940, the Warner Bros. film Granny Get Your Gun, loosely based on the 1937 Perry Mason novel The Case of the Dangerous Dowager, was released.

1943: The Case of the Drowsy Mosquito

In 1943, The Case of the Drowsy Mosquito was published, featuring a discussion between Mason and Lieutenant Arthur Tragg about Mason's approach to the law.

1943: Perry Mason Radio Series Begins

In 1943, a 15-minute daily Perry Mason radio series began airing on CBS Radio.

October 16, 1950: Perry Mason Comic Strip

On October 16, 1950, the Perry Mason comic strip launched.

June 21, 1952: End of Perry Mason Comic Strip

On June 21, 1952, the Perry Mason comic strip ended.

1952: The Case of the Moth-Eaten Mink

In 1952, The Case of the Moth-Eaten Mink was published, featuring a judge who comments on Mason's unusual tactics.

1955: End of Perry Mason Radio Series

In 1955, the Perry Mason radio series ended.

1956: TV Version of Daytime Serial

In 1956, a TV version of the daytime serial began airing on CBS, leading Gardner to withdraw his support.

1957: Raymond Burr Portrays Perry Mason

In 1957, Raymond Burr portrayed Perry Mason in the television series.

1957: Perry Mason CBS TV Series Debut

In 1957, the Perry Mason CBS TV series, starring Raymond Burr, premiered.

1957: Start of TV series and Novels

In 1957, the Perry Mason TV series began and Gardner continued to write Perry Mason novels.

1966: End of Perry Mason CBS TV Series

In 1966, the Perry Mason CBS TV series concluded its run.

1970: Gardner's Death

In 1970, Erle Stanley Gardner, the author of the Perry Mason novels, died.

1973: The New Perry Mason Series

In 1973, a second television series titled The New Perry Mason, starring Monte Markham, began airing.

1973: Airing of The New Perry Mason

In 1973, the new series The New Perry Mason, aired featuring Monte Markham in the title role.

1974: Cancellation of The New Perry Mason

In 1974, The New Perry Mason television series starring Monte Markham was cancelled.

1985: Perry Mason TV Films Series Begins

In 1985, a series of Perry Mason television films began, with Raymond Burr reprising his role as Mason.

1985: Perry Mason Returns

In 1985, the Perry Mason character was resurrected in a series of television films for NBC starting with Perry Mason Returns.

1986: The Whole Truth by James Cummins

In 1986, The Whole Truth by James Cummins, inspired by Perry Mason, was released.

1989: Perry Mason Reference in 'May to December'

In 1989, a British Solicitor referenced Perry Mason novels in the BBC television show 'May to December'.

1993: Raymond Burr's Death and Final Portrayal of Mason

In 1993, Raymond Burr died from kidney cancer, and The Case of the Killer Kiss was his final portrayal of Perry Mason, airing after his death.

1993: Raymond Burr's Death

In 1993, Raymond Burr, who played Perry Mason in the television series and films, passed away.

1995: End of Perry Mason TV Films

In 1995, the series of Perry Mason television films came to an end.

2008: Colonial Radio Theatre Dramatizations

In 2008, The Colonial Radio Theatre on the Air began producing a series of full-cast audio theater dramatizations of Gardner's Perry Mason novels.

July 2009: Sonia Sotomayor's Confirmation Hearings

In July 2009, during her confirmation hearings, Sonia Sotomayor mentioned being inspired by the Perry Mason television series.

2012: Robert M. Bell Inspired by Perry Mason

In 2012, Robert M. Bell, former Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, recalled being inspired by the Perry Mason novels to become a lawyer.

June 2015: Ankerwycke Reissues Perry Mason Novels

In June 2015, the American Bar Association's Ankerwycke imprint announced it would reissue Gardner's Perry Mason novels.

2015: Reissuing Perry Mason Books

In 2015, the American Bar Association's publishing imprint, Ankerwycke, began reissuing Erle Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason books, which had been out of print in the United States.