For my grandparents, television consisted of only four shows: Matlock, Murder She Wrote, Quincy, and Perry Mason reruns. Never could get into any of them myself, but older folks love watching people of a similar age crackin' cases and throwin' perps behind bars. Mason is probably the most popular of all, with Raymond Burr portraying the sleuthing defense attorney for nine seasons until 1966, and then in TV movies until his death in 1993. Warner Brothers wants to bring the 1930s lawyer back, only now it'll be on the big stage, and with Robert Downey Jr. in the iconic role.
Variety broke the news, reporting that RDJ is set to produce and star in a big screen version featuring the classic character created by Erle Stanley Gardner. It won't be the first time Mason has been rolled out into theaters, but the last one was released way back in 1937 and starred Donald Woods. Warren William played Mason in a string of movies before that.
The plan is to keep the basics in place. Los Angeles of the 1930s will be the backdrop, and most of Mason's usual supporting cast will be included, especially his popular secretary Della Street.
My worry? Well, Downey brings with him a certain style that should make him a great choice to play a lawyer(he'd have been awesome on The Practice or something). But as Perry Mason? I don't see it. My fear is that this'll be some rocked up Sherlock Holmes in a courtroom. With Warner Brothers producing I have little doubt that's what it'll turn out as.
