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William Hopper

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For other people named William Hopper, see William Hopper (disambiguation).

William Hopper
Hopper in 1934
Born
William DeWolf Hopper Jr.

(1915-01-26)January 26, 1915
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 6, 1970(1970-03-06) (aged 55)
Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Resting placeRose Hills Memorial Park
OccupationActor
Years active1916; 1934–1970
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1940, divorced)​
  • Jan Hopper
Children1
Parents

William DeWolf Hopper Jr. (January 26, 1915 – March 6, 1970) was an American stage, film, and television actor. The only child of actor DeWolf Hopper and actress and Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper, he appeared in more than 80 feature films in the 1930s and 1940s. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he left acting, but was persuaded by director William Wellman in the 1950s to resume his film career. He’s perhaps best known for his portrayal of private detective Paul Drake in the CBS television series Perry Mason.[1]

Early life

[edit]

William DeWolf Hopper Jr., was born January 26, 1915, in New York City.[2] He was the only child of actor, singer, comedian, and theatrical producer DeWolf Hopper and his fifth wife, actress Hedda Hopper (born Elda Furry). He had a half-brother, John A. Hopper, from his father's second marriage in the 1880s.[3]

Hopper made his film debut as a baby in his father's 1916 silent movie Sunshine Dad.[4] His mother divorced his father in 1922 and took Hopper to live in Hollywood. Hedda Hopper became a gossip columnist with nearly 30 million readers in newspapers in the U.S., and was a proponent of the Hollywood blacklist [5]

Contract players Wolfe Hopper and Gail Patrick in a July 1936 Paramount Pictures fashion photograph; 20 years later, William Hopper was Paul Drake and Gail Patrick Jackson was executive producer of the CBS-TV series Perry Mason
Hopper and Raymond Burr in the Perry Mason episode, "The Case of Paul Drake's Dilemma" (1959)
Guest star Bette Davis with Hopper in Perry Mason (1963)

Career

[edit]

1930s–1940s

[edit]

Hopper began his acting career as a teenager. He made his first stage appearance at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, in She Loves Me Not.[6] He worked in summer stock in Ogunquit, Maine.[7][8] He appeared on Broadway in Order Please (1934) and as a member of the ensemble in Katharine Cornell's production of Romeo and Juliet (1934–35).[9][10]

In 1936, Hopper won a contract at Paramount Pictures.[6][11] He was credited in movies as Wolfe Hopper and DeWolf Hopper. In 1936, he appeared in The King Steps Out, and in 1937 he was in Public Wedding, Over the Goal, The Footloose Heiress and in 1938, Mystery House.[4]

Hopper's film roles included Stagecoach (1939), The Return of Dr. X (1939), Over the Goal (1939), Knute Rockne, All American (1940), The Maltese Falcon (1941) and Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942).[4]

Hopper became an actor because his mother expected it of him.[8]: 57  "When I worked at Warner Bros.," Hopper said, "I was so scared I stuttered all the time."[12]

Military service and postwar career

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Hopper served with the United States Navy during World War II, as a volunteer with the Office of Strategic Services[7][13] and as a member of the newly created Underwater Demolition Team. He received a Bronze Star and several other medals during operations in the Pacific.[14]

For eight years after the war, Hopper became involved in business and sold cars in Hollywood.[14] He combined car sales and acting when opportunities came up during the advent of television.[15]

"I didn't even think about acting much until a friend, director Bill Wellman, asked me to do a part in The High and the Mighty," Hopper recalled.[12]

1950s

[edit]

In 1953, director William Wellman persuaded Hopper to resume his movie career with his 1954 film, The High and the Mighty,[16] opposite Jan Sterling. Before filming began, Hopper challenged Wellman because he suspected his mother had arranged the offer. "When it appeared Wellman was serious, I asked him if he knew whose son I was. He ignored me," Hopper recalled. "I was so lousy, so nervous, I didn't even know where the camera was. But somehow Billy got me through. Afterward, I thanked him. He said, 'Thank me, my foot. After this, you're going to be in every picture I make.' I didn't believe him."[8]: 60  Hopper subsequently appeared in two of Wellman's films, Track of the Cat (1954) and Good-bye, My Lady (1956).[4]

Hopper was cast to star opposite Claire Trevor in the live television drama "No Sad Songs for Me",[8]: 61  broadcast April 14, 1955, on NBC's Lux Video Theatre.[17] He had such stage fright, he initially cancelled: "I swore I'd never act again as long as I lived", Hopper recalled. "Then I thought, what the heck, they can't shoot me, and walked on the set. Something happened then. It was as if someone had surgically removed the nerves."[8]: 61 

At last comfortable on screen, Hopper played the stern and emotionally distant father of Natalie Wood in the James Dean classic Rebel Without a Cause (1955), and the absentee father in The Bad Seed (1956). He starred in the science-fiction films 20 Million Miles to Earth and The Deadly Mantis, released in 1957.[4]

In 1956 Hopper guest-starred again on television during the first season of the Western series Gunsmoke, portraying an outlaw initially supported by townsfolk in an episode titled "Robin Hood".[18] He returned that year as murdering outlaw “Tasker” in S1E38’s “Unknown Grave”. The following year he played a supporting role in the pilot episode of the television series The Restless Gun, which was broadcast as an episode of Schlitz Playhouse of Stars. Some of Hopper's other television guest appearances include The Joseph Cotten Show: On Trial, Fury, Studio 57, and The Millionaire.

Perry Mason

[edit]

Hopper is best known for his principal role as the private investigator Paul Drake on CBS's courtroom television series Perry Mason (1957–66). He initially tested for the title role, while Raymond Burr read for the role of Mason's courtroom adversary, district attorney Hamilton Burger. Burr was encouraged to lose weight and return to audition for the role of Perry Mason – which he did, successfully.[19] Hopper, too, was called back. Executive producer Gail Patrick Jackson recalled, "When Bill Hopper came in to read for Paul Drake he blurted out, 'You hate my mother.' And that was Hedda Hopper. Well, I disliked what she stood for, but 'hate' is something else — and anyway he was perfect as Drake, and we got him."[20]

Wrote Brian Kelleher and Diana Merrill in their chronicle of the television series:[8]: 61 

As Paul Drake, William Hopper was called on to be the most versatile of the principals in the Perry Mason cast. He was not only the careful investigator, the duke-it-out tough guy, the ladies' man, and the hipster, but also the fall guy, the strikeout artist, the "eating machine" and "the big kid." Hopper's Drake alone provided the comic relief for the show. And, despite being a rather late bloomer to the acting field, he played all the parts surprisingly well and believably. His appearances made fair shows good, and good shows better.[8]: 61 

A 1959 episode, "The Case of Paul Drake's Dilemma", had Hopper's character on trial for murder.[8]: 65 

Hopper continued to work in summer stock and to make movie appearances during his years on Perry Mason; however, after the series was cancelled in 1966, he declined other television offers. He did, though, make one final film appearance in Myra Breckinridge (1970), which premiered in New York three months after his death.[8]: 66 [21]

Awards and honors

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In 1959, Hopper was nominated as Best Supporting Actor (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series at the 11th Primetime Emmy Awards for his performance as Paul Drake.[22]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1940, Hopper married actress Jane Gilbert.[8]: 60 [23] They had worked together on the 1939 film Invisible Stripes.[24] The couple had one daughter, Joan.[25][8]: 60 [26][27]

In September 1962, TV Guide magazine reported that Hopper and Gilbert had separated. They later divorced, and Hopper married Jeanette Juanita Ward. They remained together until his death.[28]

Death

[edit]

Hopper entered Desert Hospital in Palm Springs, California,[14] on February 14, 1970, after suffering a stroke. He died of pneumonia three weeks later, on March 6, at the age of 55.[1] He was buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.[29]

Broadway

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1916 Sunshine Dad Baby Credited as William DeWolf Hopper Jr.[4]
1936 The King Steps Out Soldier Offscreen credit[4]
Murder with Pictures Photographer Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
The Big Broadcast of 1937 Ship's Officer Uncredited[30]
Easy to Take Monitor room man Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
The Accusing Finger Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
Beware of Ladies Reporter Uncredited[30]
1937 Larceny on the Air Announcer Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
Join the Marines Marine Uncredited[30]
Dick Tracy Dirigible Pilot Uncredited[30]
Public Wedding Tony Burke Male lead, opposite Jane Wyman[4]
Mr. Dodd Takes the Air Second production manager Uncredited[30]
The Footloose Heiress Jack Pierson [4]
Back in Circulation Pete Edington Offscreen credit[4]
Love Is on the Air Eddie Gould [4]
Over the Goal Ken Thomas Male lead, opposite June Travis[4]
The Adventurous Blonde Matt [4]
1938 Daredevil Drivers Neeley bus driver Offscreen credit [4]
Love, Honor and Behave Yale tennis player Offscreen credit [4]
Mystery House Lal Killian [4]
The Patient in Room 18 Grabshot Offscreen credit [4]
Women Are Like That Larraby Offscreen credit [4]
1939 Stagecoach Cavalry Sergeant Offscreen credit[4]
Midnight Flammarions' Party Guest Uncredited
Daughters Courageous Striped-shirted man at beach Offscreen credit[4][30]
The Cowboy Quarterback Handsome Sam Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
The Old Maid John Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
The Angels Wash Their Faces Photographer Uncredited[30]
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
Dust Be My Destiny Reporter Uncredited
Espionage Agent Student Offscreen credit[4]
On Your Toes Ronald - Peggy's Escort Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Pride of the Blue Grass Joe Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
On Dress Parade Soldier Getting Radio Report from H4 Uncredited
The Return of Doctor X Intern Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
A Child Is Born Intern Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Invisible Stripes Young Man Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1940 The Fighting 69th Private Turner Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
Calling Philo Vance Hotel clerk Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Castle on the Hudson Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Virginia City Lieutenant Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
'Til We Meet Again Man Uncredited[30]
Tear Gas Squad George Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
Flight Angels Lefty Credited as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Brother Orchid Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Gambling on the High Seas Station operator Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
The Man Who Talked Too Much Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Ladies Must Live Joe Barton Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
Money and the Woman J.L. Burns, Bank Depositor Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4][30]
No Time for Comedy First-Nighter Uncredited[30]
Knute Rockne, All American Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Always a Bride Man at campaign meeting carrying Michael Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4][30]
Lady with Red Hair Lyceum Theater Attendant Uncredited[30]
Santa Fe Trail Officer Scenes deleted; offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4][30]
1941 The Case of the Black Parrot Second mate Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Flight from Destiny Travin Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
Footsteps in the Dark Police secretary Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Here Comes Happiness Best Man Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Knockout Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
A Shot in the Dark Jones Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Strange Alibi Desk clerk Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
Affectionately Yours Airline attendant Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
The Bride Came C.O.D. Keenan's pilot Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Bullets for O'Hara Richard Palmer Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
Highway West Frank Carson - Murdered Cashier Uncredited[30]
Manpower Power company telephone operator Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4][30]
Dive Bomber Pilot Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
International Squadron Radio operator Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Passage from Hong Kong Watson Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Navy Blues Ensign Walters Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
The Maltese Falcon Reporter Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
Blues in the Night Billiard Player Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
They Died with Their Boots On Lt. Frazier Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
The Body Disappears Terrence Abbott Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
You're in the Army Now Clerk Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1942 All Through the Night Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Bullet Scars Reporter Offscreen credit[4]
The Male Animal Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Lady Gangster John Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
Murder in the Big House Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Larceny, Inc. Customer Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Yankee Doodle Dandy Reporter Offscreen credit[4]
Juke Girl Atlanta Postal Clerk Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Spy Ship Reporter Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
Escape from Crime Reporter Offscreen credit[4]
Secret Enemies Ensign Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
Busses Roar Sailor Offscreen credit[4]
Across the Pacific Orderly Offscreen credit[4]
Desperate Journey Aircraftsman Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
You Can't Escape Forever Soldier Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
Beyond the Line of Duty University of Texas classmate Short film, uncredited[30]
Gentleman Jim Undetermined Role Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1943 The Hard Way Hotel Desk Clerk Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
The Mysterious Doctor Orderly Credited as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Air Force Sergeant Offscreen credit[4]
Truck Busters Trucker Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
Action in the North Atlantic Canadian soldier Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
Murder on the Waterfront First sentry Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1944 The Last Ride Swank Offscreen credit[4]
1954 The High and the Mighty Roy Offscreen credit as William DeWolf Hopper[4]
Sitting Bull Charles Wentworth Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
This Is My Love District Attorney Offscreen credit[4]
Track of the Cat Arthur Bridges Offscreen credit[4]
1955 Conquest of Space Dr. George Fenton [4]
Robbers' Roost Robert Bell Offscreen credit[4]
One Desire Mac McBain [4]
Rebel Without a Cause Judy's father [4]
1956 Good-bye, My Lady Walden Grover [4]
The First Texan William B. Travis [4]
The Bad Seed Col. Kenneth Penmark [4]
1957 The Deadly Mantis Dr. Nedrick (Ned) Jackson [4]
20 Million Miles to Earth Col. Bob Calder [4]
Slim Carter Joe Brewster [4]
1970 Myra Breckinridge Judge Frederic D. Cannon Uncredited, Released posthumously[4][31][32]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1954 Mayor of the Town Girard "Minnie's Job"[30][33]
1955 Lux Video Theatre Brad Scott "No Sad Songs for Me"[17]
Ford Theatre Joe Cramer "The Mumbys"[34]
Lux Video Theatre Host "Perilous Deception"[17]
Warner Brothers Presents … Casablanca Wilson Randall "Labor Camp Escape"[35]
1956 Fury Sam Wilson "The Hobo" (credited as Bill Hopper)[36]
The 20th Century Fox Hour Phil Harland "One Life"[37]
Gunsmoke John Henry Jordan "Robin Hood"[38]
Lux Video Theatre Jim Johanson "The Star"[39]
Celebrity Playhouse "Stagecoach to Paradise"[40]
The Millionaire Capt. Jonathan Carroll "Captain Jonathan Carroll"[41]
Gunsmoke Tasker Sloane "Unmarked Grave"[38]
Lux Video Theatre George "The Top Rung"[42]
Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre Rick Gordon "Ten Percent"[43]
Matinee Theater "Madame de Treymes"[44]
Studio 57 Smith "The Magic Glass"[45]
1957 Studio 57 Kip "Mr. November"[46]
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Dan Mailer "The Restless Gun" (pilot for TV series)[47]
The Joseph Cotten Show Arnold Bait "The Case of the Jealous Bomber"[48]
1957–1966 Perry Mason Paul Drake 271 episodes[49]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "William Hopper, Actor, Dies; Detective in 'Perry Mason,' 54". The New York Times. Reuters. March 7, 1970. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  2. ^ Ancestry.com. California, Death Index 1940–1997 [database on-line]. Provo, Utah, U.S.: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2000. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  3. ^ Douglass, Harvey (July 12, 1933). "DeWolf Hopper Calls 6th Wife the Only Perfect One". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz "William Hopper". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  5. ^ Associated Press (February 2, 1966). "Hedda Hopper, Columnist, Dies; Chronicled Gossip of Hollywood". The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "De Wolfe Hopper's Son Wins Contract". The Milwaukee Sentinel. April 8, 1936. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Wolters, Larry (January 10, 1960). "Meet Hedda's Son Bill". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kelleher, Brian; Merrill, Diana (1987). The Perry Mason TV show book : the complete story of America's favorite television lawyer. Internet Archive. New York : St. Martin's Press. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-312-00669-3.
  9. ^ a b "Romeo and Juliet". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Order Please". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  11. ^ "Wolfe Hopper Gets a Movie Contract". The Milwaukee Sentinel. March 11, 1936. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  12. ^ a b Du Brow, Rick (July 11, 1961). "Mason's Sidekick Used to Sell Cars". The Daily Review (UPI).
  13. ^ "William Hopper ("Paul Drake") is dead". Delta Democrat-Times. March 8, 1970.
  14. ^ a b c United Press International (March 7, 1970). "Perry Mason Star Hopper Dead at 55". Oakland Tribune.
  15. ^ Thomas, Bob (June 16, 1962). "Perry Mason's Aide Faces a Dilemma". Oakland Tribune (Associated Press).
  16. ^ "The High and the Mighty". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  17. ^ a b c "Lux Video Theatre, Season 5". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  18. ^ "Robin Hood", season 1 episode 17 (S01E17) of Gunsmoke, originally broadcast February 4, 1956. Full video of "Robin Hood" available for viewing on YouTube. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  19. ^ Galbraith IV, Stuart (April 10, 2008). "Perry Mason — 50th Anniversary Edition". DVD Talk. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  20. ^ Bawden, James (April 29, 2014). "Dream Factory Time: Gail Patrick". Classic Images. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  21. ^ Myra Breckinridge, cast and crew credits, production details, and release dates; catalog of the American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  22. ^ "Awards Search". Emmys. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  23. ^ Associated Press (March 6, 1970). "TV Actor, William Hopper, 55". The Miami News. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  24. ^ "Invisible Stripes". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  25. ^ "U.S. Navy Veteran Online Memorial | TWS Roll of Honor".
  26. ^ Ancestry.com. California Birth Index, 1905–1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, US: Ancestry.com Operations Inc. 2005. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  27. ^ "Modern Screen Goes to a Christening". Modern Screen. 35 (3): 32. August 1947. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  28. ^ "Life With Mother," TV Guide, September 1, 1962.
  29. ^ "William Hopper Obituary - Whittier, CA". Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "William Hopper". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  31. ^ United Press International (March 7, 1970). "William Hopper Dies in Palm Springs at 55". Redlands Daily Facts.
  32. ^ "William Hopper". BFI Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Archived from the original on June 14, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  33. ^ "Mayor of the Town". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  34. ^ "Ford Theatre". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  35. ^ "Warner Brothers Presents". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  36. ^ "Fury, Season 1". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  37. ^ "The 20th Century-Fox Hour, Season 1". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  38. ^ a b "Gunsmoke, Season 1". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  39. ^ "Lux Video Theatre, Season 6". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  40. ^ "Celebrity Playhouse". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  41. ^ "The Millionaire, Season 2". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  42. ^ "Lux Video Theatre, Season 7". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  43. ^ "Jane Wyman Theater". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  44. ^ "Matinee Theater". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  45. ^ "Studio 57, Season 2". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  46. ^ "Studio 57, Season 4". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  47. ^ "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  48. ^ "On Trial: The Joseph Cotten Show". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  49. ^ "Perry Mason". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
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