The Case of the Black Cat (1936)
Lawyer Perry Mason is summoned to the Laxter mansion in the dead of night to write granddaughter Wilma out of invalid Peter Laxter's will, to keep her from marrying suspected fortune hunter Doug. Peter dies in a mysterious fire and Laxter's two grandsons, Sam Laxter and Frank Oafley, inherit his estate on the condition old caretaker Schuster and his cat Clinker are kept on. When cat-hating Sam threatens Clinker, Perry steps in and learns Laxter's death was suspicious and the family fortune and diamonds are missing. Schuster's found dead in his basement apartment, Laxter's nurse Louise is murdered with Schuster's crutch, and circumstantial evidence brings Doug to trial for Louise's death. Mason's investigation produces a surprise witness who turns the trial around. Written by Sister Grimm
Director:
William C. McGann
Writer:
F. Hugh Herbert
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Ricardo Cortez as Perry Mason |
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June Travis as Della Street |
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Jane Bryan as Wilma Laxter |
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Craig Reynolds as Frank Oafley |
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Carlyle Moore Jr. as Douglas Keene |
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Bill Elliott as Sam Laxter |
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Nedda Harrigan as Nurse Louise DeVoe |
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Garry Owen as Paul Drake |
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Harry Davenport as Peter Laxter |
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George Rosener as Charles Ashton |
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Gordon Hart as Dr. Jacobs |
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Clarence Wilson as Mr. Shuster |
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Guy Usher as District Attorney Hamilton Burger |
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Lottie Williams as Mrs. Pixley |
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Harry Hayden as Reverend Stillwell |
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Earl Askam as Desk Officer (uncredited) |
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Don Downen as Newsboy (uncredited) |
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Kenneth Gibson as Clerk (uncredited) |
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Sol Gorss as Poker Player (uncredited) |
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Harrison Greene as Worried Client (uncredited) |
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Chuck Hamilton as Bailiff (uncredited) |
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Milton Kibbee as Brandon - Oafley's Butler (uncredited) |
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Paul Kruger as Reporter (uncredited) |
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John Marston as Judge Robert Fellows (uncredited) |
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Edward McWade as Keene's Apartment Manager (uncredited) |
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Lyle Moraine as Reporter (uncredited) |
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Paul Panzer as Poker Player (uncredited) |
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Ferdinand Schumann-Heink as Mason's Driver (uncredited) |
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John Sheehan as Sergeant Holcomb (uncredited) |
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Billy Wayne as Poker Player (uncredited) |
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Claire White as Woman (uncredited) |
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Tom Wilson as Waffle Shop Construction Foreman (uncredited) |
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Frank Bruno as Construction Foreman (uncredited) |
| Art | Hugh Reticker | Art Direction |
| Editing | Frank Magee | Editor |
| Camera | Allen G. Siegler | Director of Photography |
| Costume & Make-Up | Milo Anderson | Costume Design |
| Writing | Erle Stanley Gardner | Story |
| Writing | F. Hugh Herbert | Screenplay |
| Directing | William C. McGann | Director |
| Crew | Sol Gorss | Stunts |
| Production | Bryan Foy | Producer |
| Production | Jack L. Warner | Executive Producer |
| Sound | Heinz Roemheld | Music |
| Production | Hal B. Wallis | Executive Producer |
| Directing | Carroll Sax | Assistant Director |
