Discuss Perry Mason
Discuss → TV Shows → Perry Mason → General
Many actors in this series don't part their hair
posted by MoondoggieSTAFFMOD on March 7, 2017 at 9:04 AM
I have noticed that in many/most episodes of Perry Mason the male actors have no hair part whatsoever. In some seasons Raymond Burr had a left part, in others none at all. And William Talman and William Hopper also had partless hairstyles, as did many male guest stars. I wonder if this was a popular hairstyle at that time. I don't seem to recall its being so among non-actors around that time. Maybe it makes the face more symmetrical and helps to eliminate an actor's "bad side" for the camera.
If there are any actors or entertainment hairstylists visiting here, I'd love to hear from them about this.
Reply by lima-2
on March 1, 2018 at 11:28 AM
It's also interesting to note the passage of time from 1957 to 1966, by observing the hair styles (both men and women), car designs, clothing fashions, etc. You can almost guess which year they were filmed.
Reply by lima-2
on June 17, 2018 at 7:49 PM
Nothing pertinent to add. Just wanted to keep the board active.
Reply by wonder2wonder
on June 17, 2018 at 9:41 PM
Good. Let's keep it active. I like the old series.
It's been a while since I watched any of the '50s and '60s episodes.
So, I just posted about a possible new (reboot) series here.
Of course without Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale it's just not the same.
Reply by lima-2
on June 22, 2018 at 9:25 PM
I have to agree. Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale made the series work. Also William Hopper as Paul Drake. His characterization ranged from comic relief to coming through in the clutch. At the end of many episodes, the scripts poked fun at Drake for something that happened earlier. But during an equal number of episodes, Drake took the risks and physically removed many threats from the "bad guys."
Reply by Zürich Gnome
on July 20, 2018 at 1:33 AM
Yeah, I always thought that Wm. Hopper added a lot to the show, although he said he didn't really like being an actor and was pushed into it by his mother, Hedda Hopper, the gossip columnist.
Paul Drake always drove a cool car (with a phone in it!) and wore really classy sports jackets (raw silk, etc.). I'm glad there are plenty of reruns of the show on nowadays. And yes, Moon Doggie, after you mentioned it I did notice the symmetric hairstyles on many male actors on the show. I think it looks great.