Who's the butler? Murder committed. You had motive? Is there evidence against you? Are you charged? Then call Perry.
Night. Old hotel. Several people. Murder. Nothing new, I guess. You’ve probably already seen something like that (I remember, for example, the enchanting “Dinner with a Murder” in 1976 and “Evidence” in 1985). It is also possible to guess who the killer is. (The speed of the guess will probably depend on your “experience” with detectives.) Personally, I only came to a conclusion closer to the end. )
Nothing really new. Nothing out of the blue. So why would you watch this detective?
First of all, the film is simply “good.” Nothing is “smeared”, not “tough”. Strong, good detective. Even without the fireworks. Although some highlight is still there – a touch of mysticism and even a bit of horror (“sinister ghost” after all).
Secondly, it is worth watching, of course, those who like the old series about Perry Mason with Raymond Burr in the title role. Even if you’re not an avid fan, you just enjoyed watching a couple of episodes (like me). In the Evil Ghost Case, we have the same lawyer Perry Mason, his assistant Della Street (Barbara Hale), but... after eight years, that is, noticeably aged. True, Paul Drake is played by another actor, not William Hopper (as I later learned, it was even the “wrong” Paul Drake – it was like the son of Paul Drake from the old series). Young Paul (William Catt) is certainly better suited to a pretty hotel manager (Kim Delaney). But anyway, I did not like this Paul very much, because, in my opinion, he came out as a faded and uninteresting ... compared to “old Paul”.
In general, a good “old” detective. It is best to watch in the evening in a calm atmosphere on the TV Center or on the Home. If you know what I mean.
8 out of 10
P.S. It turns out that this picture is the fifth of twenty-six (!) paintings with the “aged Perry Mason”. Just like a full tenth season! "I'll see you again in 25 years."