Clearly influenced by the contemporaneous Thin Man films, this entry in the Perry Mason series meets with no success in attempting to duplicate the tone, atmosphere and style of the former. Warren William tries for the casual glibness and offhand wisecracking that came so easily to William Powell, but lacks the light touch such a role requires. The story is a familiar sort of B-mystery jumble: false leads, dual identities, double and triple crosses, shady nephews, lurking housekeepers - all presented at a furious pace, with dozens of brief scenes flashing by in rapid succession. Unfortunately, they don't pass quickly enough in this flimsy effort lacking in wit, sparkle and coherence.
Review of The Case of the Velvet Claws
