THE CASE OF THE CURIOUS BRIDE (1935)
The Movie
Long before the Raymond Burr TV series Warner Brothers released six Perry Mason movies in the 1930s. The first four featured Warren William in the Perry Mason role with Ricardo Cortez taking over in the fifth and Donald Woods in the sixth. This movie, The Case Of The Curious Bride, was based on Erle Stanley Gardner’s 1934 novel of the same name and was Warren William’s second time in the lead role; his interpretation was debonair, flirtatious, wise-cracking - very different from Raymond Burr’s stern portrayal but certainly more fun. The movie, filmed in San Francisco and at the Warner Bros/First National Pictures studios, was directed by Michael Curtiz (perhaps best known for directing Casablanca). It was released in April 1935.
The Story
Rhoda Montaine (Margaret Lindsay), a past girlfriend of famed attorney Perry Mason, asks him to help a recently married friend of hers who has learned that her first husband Gregory Moxley (Errol Flynn, in his first American appearance), supposedly dead, has turned up very much alive. Suspecting that Rhoda herself is the so-called friend, Perry agrees and is there when the city coroner opens the first husband’s casket, revealing a statue in place of a corpse. Perry tracks down Moxley‘s address but when he goes there he finds him on the floor, murdered. Meanwhile Rhoda’s new husband Carl Montaine (Donald Woods), scion of a wealthy family, tells Perry his wife has left him to avoid a family scandal. Suspecting she was being blackmailed the police arrest Rhoda and charge her with murder. But Perry’s investigation uncovers numerous other suspects; not until he gathers them all in the same room for a classic accusatory finale is the truth finally revealed.
The Locations
Opening Credits Piers 37, 39, 41, Fishermen’s Wharf —- Ferry Building, Financial District
Fresh Crab Bay Bridge, San Francisco Bay —- 2, 3, 4 and 5 Fisherman’s Wharf
A Friend In Need 2100 Washington Street at Octavia, Pacific Heights
Dead Again 1850 Sutter Street, Japantown in the Western Addition
To The Airport! (Part 1 of 2) City View from 100 McAllister —- ‘00’ block of Fell Street —- Market at Fell —- War Memorial Veteran’s Building, Van Ness at McAllister —- S. Van Ness at Market
To The Airport! (Part 2 of 2) Market Street at Fremont, Financial District —- Washington Street at Octavia, Pacific Heights —- Main Library (now Asian Art Museum), 200 Larkin Street, Civic Center —- Embarcadero at the Ferry Building, Financial District
At The Airport Grand Central Air Terminal, Glendale, California
Lotta’s Fountain Market Street at Geary and Kearny, Financial District
Yet Another Suspect 1850 Sutter Street, Japantown in the Western Addition
The Big Reveal Warner Brothers Studios, Burbank, Ca