Original Air Date: March 7, 1959
Starring: Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, Benson Fong
Directed by: Arthur Marks
Synopsis: A wealthy man concocts a scheme to test the ulterior motives of his heirs but things go awry and his accomplice, caretaker James Hing (Benson Fong) ends up being accused of the man’s murder.
Featured Feline: The caretaker’s cat is a beautiful Siamese which is seen with Hing during the early stages of the episode.
The first time we see the cat is on the bed of the wealthy man, Peter Baxter (Anthony Jochim).
The cat is next seen at the reading of Baxter’s will when Hing ends up being the heir sole of practically the entire estate.
This does not sit well with Baxter’s original heirs who let him know they will contest the will.
Suspicion naturally falls on Hing and police are watching when he carries the cat into the garden and digs up a briefcase filled with money. The cat actor is prompted to stay seated on the rock by some strategically placed treats.
The plot of the episode really has nothing to do with the cat (the title is therefore misleading) but the cat is seen once more at the end of the episode when Hing is sitting in Perry Mason’s office.
Hing leaves and takes the cat with him.
Final Mewsings: Who took care of the caretaker’s cat when the caretaker was taken away?
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