Barbara Hale was an American actress best known for her role as Della Street on the long-running legal drama “Perry Mason.” The show first aired in 1957 and ran for eight successful seasons until 1966. During its run, Hale’s character, Della Street, proved to be an invaluable asset to Perry Mason as his loyal and intelligent legal secretary.
Hale’s character was a perfect complement to Raymond Burr’s Perry Mason – a stoic, principled criminal defense attorney who always seemed to have a case of the week. While Perry Mason was often portrayed as gruff and serious, Della Street provided the show with a much needed lightheartedness. She was often seen smiling and laughing over Perry’s antics while still managing to take care of business as his right-hand woman.
In addition to her work on “Perry Mason,” Hale also had roles in several other television series such as “77 Sunset Strip,” “The Hathaways,” and “The New Breed.” She also appered in several feature films including “Anatomy of a Murder” (1959), “Gidget Goes Hawaiian” (1961), and “The Return of Frank James” (1960).
Hale won an Emmy Award in 1959 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series for her performance on “Perry Mason.” She is also remembered for her screen kiss with Raymond Burr at the end of the movie version of the series. The kiss between Perry Mason and Della Street marked the first time that two characters played by these actors shared an onscreen kiss during their decade-long partnership.
Barbara Hale passed away at the age of 94 on January 27th due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Her legacy will live on through her beloved role as Della Street in one of television’s most iconic shows, Perry Mason.
Did Perry Mason and Della Street Share a Romantic Relationship?
Yes, Perry Mason and Della Street shared the first on-screen kiss between the two characters in the movie Perry Mason. The kiss happened at the end of the movie during a romantic moment as they looked into each other’s eyes, realizing their true feelings for each other. This was a long-awaited moment for fans of the show as many viewers had speculated that Perry and Della would eventually become more than friends.
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Do Perry Mason and Della Street Have a Romantic Relationship?
No, Perry Mason and Della Street never get together in the novels or television series that were based on the characters created by Erle Stanley Gardner. While the 1936 movie version of The Case of the Velvet Claws depicted them getting married, this was not reflective of Gardner’s vision for the characters. As a result, throughout subsequent adaptations of the Perry Mason stories, Della and Perry remain close friends and colleagues but never become romantic partners.
What Became of Della Street on Perry Mason?
Della Street, played by the late Barbara Hale, was a key character on the long-running legal drama “Perry Mason.” She served as Perry Mason’s legal secretary and confidante for nine seasons of the show from 1957 to 1966. Della was an integral part of Perry’s team, often providng invaluable assistance in solving cases. She also provided emotional support and friendship to Mason throughout their professional relationship. After the show ended in 1966, Hale went on to appear in various TV shows and movies before her death on Jan. 27, 2020 at the age of 94 due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Her character remains an iconic presence in legal dramas even today, as she helped set the standard for strong female characters on television.
What Happened to Della Street?
Barbara Hale, who portrayed Della Street in the “Perry Mason” television series and movies, passed away on Thursday at her home in Sherman Oaks, Calif. She was 94. Her son William Katt confirmed her death on Facebook. Unfortunately, due to her passing, Della Street is no longer with us.
Most Appearances by an Actor on Perry Mason
George E. Stone had the most credited guest appearances in the series Perry Mason, appearing 45 times as the court clerk. Stone was an American character actor with a long list of credits in movies and television, including roles in The Wizard of Oz and It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. He was known for his distinctive voice and often played elderly men. His introduction to Perry Mason fans was as the clerk of court who often helped to solve cases by providing vital information at critical moments.
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Are Perry Mason’s Clients Guilty?
Yes, in rare circumstances Perry Mason’s clients are guilty. On the occasion of the 1963 episode “The Deadly Verdict,” Mason takes on the case of a man who has been sentenced to death. Mason believes in his client’s innocence and successfully exonerates him, a typical outcome of a Perry Mason story. However, there is one instance where he does represent a guilty client and is able to secure a mistrial. This is the only known case where Mason represents someone who is guilty, as typically his clients are presented as innocent and he works to prove their innocence in court.
Perry Mason and Della Street’s Kissing Scene
In Season 1 Episode 8 of Perry Mason, titled “The Case of the Crimson Kiss,” Perry Mason and his loyal assistant Della Street share a passionate kiss. This is one of the most iconic moments in the show’s history, and it occurs when Della intervenes in a difficult case Perry is working on. She comes to his defense against an unruly suspect, and after the suspect is apprehended, Perry rewards her with a passionate kiss. Though it may have seemed sudden to some viewers at the time, this moment has since become an iconic part of the show.
Marrying of Della Street
Della Street never married in the Perry Mason TV series. Despite viewers’ anticipation, the show’s writers never wrote an episode that would have seen Mason and Street tie the knot. Though they shared a deep and abiding connection, their relationship remained strictly professional throughout the run of the show.
Meeting His Partner in Perry Mason
In the Season 5 Episode 2 of Perry Mason, titled “The Case of the Impatient Partner”, Mason meets his partner, Della Street, for the first time. Della is a secretary to attorney Hamilton Burger and has been assigned to work with Mason on a complicated case in which an elderly partner in a business partnership is accused of murder. After some initial hesitance from Mason, he soon realizes that Della is exceptionally capable and the two quickly develop a strong professional relationship. Through their work together, they form a bond that will last throughout the series.
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The Departure of William Talman from Perry Mason
Yes, William Talman did leave Perry Mason for a short period in 1960. On March 13, 1960, Sheriff’s deputies conducted a raid on the West Hollywood apartment of Richard Reibold, an advertising agency executive. During the raid, deputies became suspicious of marijuana use and arrested both Reibold and Talman. As a result of these events, Talman was fired from his role as Hamilton Burger on Perry Mason until the matter was resolved in court. Although he was later found not guilty on all charges and reinstated to his role, Talman left the show for several months.
Age of Della Street at Time of Death
Della Street, played by actress Barbara Hale, died on January 26, 2017 at the age of 94. She was best known for her role as Perry Mason’s loyal secretary in the long-running series of films and television shows. Hale had acted professionally since 1943, and remained active in the industry until 2000.
Did Perry Mason Represent Black Clients?
No, Perry Mason did not have any black clients in the original television series. The show featured very few prominent black characters in its nine-season run and none were ever clients of Perry Mason. On one occasion, a black actor, Jamaican-born mixed-race actor Frank Silvera, guest-starred on the show but he portrayed a white character. Most other appearances by black men and women in the series were minor roles or uncredited parts.
Della Street’s Number of Children
Della Street, the iconic secretary and legal assistant from the television series Perry Mason, did not have any children. She was a fictional character played by actress Barbara Hale. Hale, however, did have three children in real life with her husband Bill Williams: Nita, William (who went by his father’s original name of William Katt) and Jody. Williams gained TV fame as the star of “The Adventures of Kit Carson”. After her RKO contract ended, Hale worked at other studios, often as the adoring wife of the leading man.
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Did Perry Mason Ever Lose a Case?
Yes, Perry Mason did lose cases. Three of his more famous losses were “The Case of the Terrified Typist,” “The Case of the Witless Witness,” and “The Case of the Deadly Verdict.” In addition, at the beginning of “The Case of the Dead Ringer,” Mason loses a civil case due to being framed for witness tampering. Despite these losses, however, Mason is still considered one of the most successful fictional defense attorneys in history.
Conclusion
Barbara Hale, the accomplished actress behind Della Street in the Perry Mason franchise, was remembered by her fans and loved ones after her passing on January 27th, 2021. She was 94 years old. Best known for her role as Perry Mason’s loyal legal secretary Della Street, Barbara Hale portrayed a strong female character with intelligence and strength. For nine seasons on the television series and in more than 30 movies, she was an iconic figure who endeared herself to millions of viewers arond the world. Barbara’s legacy will live on through her portrayal of Della Street and through all those who admired her work.
