Perry Mason Season 1 Defendants: Robert Crane vs. Daniel Reed

The tournament’s second matchup is a duel between two protective men: Robert Crane (The Case of the Deadly Double) and Daniel Reed (The Case of the Rolling Bones).

Crane is trying to protect his sister, the schizophrenic Helen Reed. Daniel Reed is trying to protect his wife, Millie. Mason has to protect them both from themselves.

Pregame Analysis: If this contest were between Helen and Daniel Reed, the latter wouldn't win!

1. Was the defendant memorable?

I wrote here about the fact that when I initially made out the bracket, I filled

in Helen’s name. I had forgotten Robert was even part of the episode!

Daniel Reed does manage to escape from a sanitarium, though, and his story of Alaskan

gold-digging is compelling.

Advantage: Daniel Reed

1. Was the defendant the most compelling non-permanent character in the case?

If I think of The Case of the Deadly Double, I immediately think of the title character,

Helen Reed. I remember Johnny, the sad sack mobster and murderer. Robert is in the

caboose.

The Case of the Rolling Bones is filled with compelling characters. We have memorable

murderer (the put upon nephew, Willard), a memorable victim (the bones rolling Monty

Lewis), and even two memorable women (Donna Knox and Millie Foster).

Daniel Reed has pretty stiff competition, and I wouldn’t call him the episode’s most

compelling character. Still, he’s more compelling than non-factor Robert!

Advantage: Daniel Reed

1. Does Perry respect the defendant?

Guess who Perry’s talking about in the denouement of The Case of the Deadly Double?

Helen Reed. Robert never comes up.

Tragg pops in on Perry in the denouement of The Case of the Rolling Bones, and we

learn a crucial new fact. Daniel was protecting Millie the whole time. It was Millie who

shot at Monty Sewil back in Alaska. That’s sacrifice.

Advantage: Daniel Reed

1. Finally, do we have a prior history with the actor or actress?

Denver Pyle (Robert Crane) appeared in seven different Perry episodes. That means I

both recognize him here and can easily forget he’s in this episode because he’s in so many others.

The Case of the Rolling Bones was Edgar Stehli’s lone appearance on Perry.

Advantage: Robert Crane

Final Verdict: The judge finds Daniel Reed the victor in this head-to-head matchup.

Congratulations, Daniel! Your prize is a happy marriage to Millie and a second-round matchup with the young fiancee (is that what you call it, as Millie would say?) Fay Allison from The Case of the Crimson Kiss.