Fans of Perry Mason may be surprised to learn that Lenore Shanewise (Nora Mae Qincey), born in 1887 in Denver, Iowa, was instrumental in advancing the stage and acting career of Raymond Burr. She was a director of and actor in hundreds of productions with the Pasadena Playhouse, where Burr considered her as a mentor. She co-starred with Burr in two episodes of Perry Mason (her second appearance is in "The Case of the Reckless Rockhound," one of the series best offerings) and in two episodes of "Ironside." She also appeared in the Twilight Zone episode entitled "Kick the Can" (1962). She retired in 1967 and died in 1980. She's easily the most interesting thing about "The Case of the Fiery Fingers," her penny-pinching scenes with Perry and Della being standouts. Otherwise, it's a pedestrian episode, with an overly abrupt conclusion. But the Mason/Hale/Hopper dynamic never fails to entertain. And it doesn't hurt to add a star of Ms. Shanewise's caliber to the mix!
11 Reviews
Perry Mason, profiteer
AlsExGal7 January 2023
Wealthy Louise Gordon finds out that her husband, George, is cheating on her. In the ensuing argument and tussle, Louise falls down the stairs and becomes an invalid as a result. She tells her cousin and caretaker, Vicky Braxton, that she realizes her husband married her only for her money and that she plans to write him out of her will.
Meanwhile, Louise's nurse, the elderly Nora Mae, has a case of sticky fingers as she enjoys borrowing Louise's expensive jewelry, even wearing it out of the house at times! George confronts Nora Mae about the jewelry and threatens her with the police if she does not give Louise some pills that he gives her. The next day Louise is dead from poisoning and Nora Mae is arrested for the murder. Looks rather cut and dried doesn't it? Not with Perry Mason on the case.
This was based on one of Erle Stanley Gardner's original Perry Mason novels, and as a result it has a rather short but interesting group of suspects. This differs from the later original screenplays that are more complex but would probably be indecipherable in a purely written medium. To me the actual murderer was just too doe eyed and made a mistake that was obvious. But I say that as a veteran watcher of a bunch of these episodes over several seasons.
In explanation of calling Perry a profiteer - Nora Mae thinks that she is being very generous giving Perry five dollars for their initial consultation and ten dollars for the entire murder trial. This is probably a significant chunk of all she has in the world. Perry has a twinkle in his eye as he does not want to deprive her of this illusion and so accepts this payment with a smile on his face.
Meanwhile, Louise's nurse, the elderly Nora Mae, has a case of sticky fingers as she enjoys borrowing Louise's expensive jewelry, even wearing it out of the house at times! George confronts Nora Mae about the jewelry and threatens her with the police if she does not give Louise some pills that he gives her. The next day Louise is dead from poisoning and Nora Mae is arrested for the murder. Looks rather cut and dried doesn't it? Not with Perry Mason on the case.
This was based on one of Erle Stanley Gardner's original Perry Mason novels, and as a result it has a rather short but interesting group of suspects. This differs from the later original screenplays that are more complex but would probably be indecipherable in a purely written medium. To me the actual murderer was just too doe eyed and made a mistake that was obvious. But I say that as a veteran watcher of a bunch of these episodes over several seasons.
In explanation of calling Perry a profiteer - Nora Mae thinks that she is being very generous giving Perry five dollars for their initial consultation and ten dollars for the entire murder trial. This is probably a significant chunk of all she has in the world. Perry has a twinkle in his eye as he does not want to deprive her of this illusion and so accepts this payment with a smile on his face.
Perry's Soft Spot
Hitchcoc9 December 2021
This is an interesting case. You have a rat for a husband, an intractable wife/victim, an old lady nurse, and some really self centered doctors. The plot plays out nicely and Perry comes across as a kindly guy. He is such a high profile lawyer, how does he find time to handle the case of this woman, who brings no money to his firm.
Mason in one of his best
kfo94945 October 2011
A great early episode of classic "Perry Mason". Contains some of the best court room scenes of the entire series. Plus we get to see that Perry is really a soft lovable Teddy Bear at heart. And anytime Connie Cezon, as Gertie, gets face time it is going to be a good show.
A sweet grand-ma like nurse, played by Lenore Shanewise, gets caught up in a family situation that is seen more in tabloids than on TV. Between affairs, money and stolen love letters you already know someone is not going to make it till the end of the show.
When Norman Mae Quincy, the sweet nurse, is accused of murder - not only do we as watchers feel sad for her but also Perry is caught up with this women's grandmother appearance. She called Lt Tragg a mean man and also gets friendly with the matrons in her cell block.
Rest of the episode is classic Mason. Excellent court room scenes with Lt Tragg being questioned by Perry and DA Burger. Even some scenes on how items get introduced as evidence into court proceeding.
At the end of the show it has one of the best scanning of the court room in any program or film. Begins at the witness-stand and the camera then scans to jurors- then to court room spectators- showing Burger, Tragg, Paul, Della and Perry and finally stops on our sweet ma-ma feeling sorry for the person in the witness-stand.
The final sweet scene is when Nora, our grand-ma, asked for the fee that Perry will be charging. When Perry asked her what is fair, she advises about $25. As the show fades out the elderly lady is counting out one dollar bills from her change purse into Perry's hand. Afterall he did save her from prison or as she said "much worse".
Worth watching!
A sweet grand-ma like nurse, played by Lenore Shanewise, gets caught up in a family situation that is seen more in tabloids than on TV. Between affairs, money and stolen love letters you already know someone is not going to make it till the end of the show.
When Norman Mae Quincy, the sweet nurse, is accused of murder - not only do we as watchers feel sad for her but also Perry is caught up with this women's grandmother appearance. She called Lt Tragg a mean man and also gets friendly with the matrons in her cell block.
Rest of the episode is classic Mason. Excellent court room scenes with Lt Tragg being questioned by Perry and DA Burger. Even some scenes on how items get introduced as evidence into court proceeding.
At the end of the show it has one of the best scanning of the court room in any program or film. Begins at the witness-stand and the camera then scans to jurors- then to court room spectators- showing Burger, Tragg, Paul, Della and Perry and finally stops on our sweet ma-ma feeling sorry for the person in the witness-stand.
The final sweet scene is when Nora, our grand-ma, asked for the fee that Perry will be charging. When Perry asked her what is fair, she advises about $25. As the show fades out the elderly lady is counting out one dollar bills from her change purse into Perry's hand. Afterall he did save her from prison or as she said "much worse".
Worth watching!
The Rain on Spain
darbski22 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
**SPOILERS** Right off, I didn't like the victim. She came across as someone that was born old, suspicious, and judgmental. That doesn't excuse the rat she married, and his choice of giving his fluff his home phone number proves that he wasn't really smart, either.
The LPN Nora Mae, was childish, dumb, dingy, and those reasons, (plus the extensive interviews that Tragg and Burger SHOULD have done) would exclude her from the suspect list.
"Charlotte"; Fay Spain- I love that name- comes across as scheming, sneaky, and bitchy enough to suspect. Creepy husband gets just what he deserves, there.
**SERIOUS SPOILER** In the end, Perry lets the murderer trap herself, and one thing I found revelatory, the rat husband inherits everything anyway; his dead wife must've turned in her grave, the way it worked out. Also, dingbat nurse probably had to file for social security or unemployment, because she's out of work.
Terrific acting, great courtroom drama with Raymond Burr giving us the reason ha was the star. Timed subtlety, total awareness of the setting, great interpretation of his part to the camera. Also, in this episode, the courtroom camera angles were set up to a fine point. High line of sight gives the omniscient point of view that differs from the regular actor's view. It's a great change of scene.
Barbara (Della), is beautiful, as usual, and when Paul first comes into Perry's office, she playfully hides behind the door that she opened for him he says "Hi, Beautiful"; very accurate observation. Really good episode.
The LPN Nora Mae, was childish, dumb, dingy, and those reasons, (plus the extensive interviews that Tragg and Burger SHOULD have done) would exclude her from the suspect list.
"Charlotte"; Fay Spain- I love that name- comes across as scheming, sneaky, and bitchy enough to suspect. Creepy husband gets just what he deserves, there.
**SERIOUS SPOILER** In the end, Perry lets the murderer trap herself, and one thing I found revelatory, the rat husband inherits everything anyway; his dead wife must've turned in her grave, the way it worked out. Also, dingbat nurse probably had to file for social security or unemployment, because she's out of work.
Terrific acting, great courtroom drama with Raymond Burr giving us the reason ha was the star. Timed subtlety, total awareness of the setting, great interpretation of his part to the camera. Also, in this episode, the courtroom camera angles were set up to a fine point. High line of sight gives the omniscient point of view that differs from the regular actor's view. It's a great change of scene.
Barbara (Della), is beautiful, as usual, and when Paul first comes into Perry's office, she playfully hides behind the door that she opened for him he says "Hi, Beautiful"; very accurate observation. Really good episode.
Plot hole
norrysponse27 August 2023
Of course Nora Mae is not guilty because she is Perry's client. However, she should have been acquitted based on the evidence rather than the coerced confession of the real killer.
It was known that the pills Nora Mae put in the milk were a sedative rather than arsenic - this is admitted by the husband who provided the pills to Nora Mae and verified by the one pill collected by Perry and tested at a lab. Trag confirmed under oath that no trace of sedative was found in the carafe, which is consistent with Nora Mae's statement that she dumped the carafe after putting the pills in it, and filled it with fresh milk. Therefore the "evidence" that she put pills in the carafe is not relevant to the case, and there is no evidence at all that she doctored the milk that the victim drank. I wonder why the world's best defense attorney never brought up the fact that the prosecutor had no evidence against his client.
Otherwise, an excellent Mason as always.
It was known that the pills Nora Mae put in the milk were a sedative rather than arsenic - this is admitted by the husband who provided the pills to Nora Mae and verified by the one pill collected by Perry and tested at a lab. Trag confirmed under oath that no trace of sedative was found in the carafe, which is consistent with Nora Mae's statement that she dumped the carafe after putting the pills in it, and filled it with fresh milk. Therefore the "evidence" that she put pills in the carafe is not relevant to the case, and there is no evidence at all that she doctored the milk that the victim drank. I wonder why the world's best defense attorney never brought up the fact that the prosecutor had no evidence against his client.
Otherwise, an excellent Mason as always.
Lt Tragg is very thorough
WilliamJE28 December 2021
Another Mason Charity Case
bkoganbing29 June 2012
Although Raymond Burr first suggests that Lenore Shanewise go to legal aid first apparently he couldn't resist the guilelessness of this little old lady who pays him a $5.00 retainer. He takes her on as a client.
She came to Burr with the suspicion that Edward Norris who is married to the woman who hired her as a nurse is about to poison his wife. He's got a girlfriend on the side in Fay Spain, not only on the side but who faked her way into the household as a maid, the better to keep an eye on him. In any event when the wife dies of arsenic poisoning, the sweet little old lady really does need the services of Perry Mason.
I have to say even with evidence pointing in her direction how could Hamilton Burger possibly believe this woman capable of anything? It turns out to be a case of a frame getting fitted on the wrong victim. You might be interested in seeing who's doing the framing.
She came to Burr with the suspicion that Edward Norris who is married to the woman who hired her as a nurse is about to poison his wife. He's got a girlfriend on the side in Fay Spain, not only on the side but who faked her way into the household as a maid, the better to keep an eye on him. In any event when the wife dies of arsenic poisoning, the sweet little old lady really does need the services of Perry Mason.
I have to say even with evidence pointing in her direction how could Hamilton Burger possibly believe this woman capable of anything? It turns out to be a case of a frame getting fitted on the wrong victim. You might be interested in seeing who's doing the framing.
The Case of the Fiery Fingers
Prismark1019 November 2020
A sweet old lady Nora Mae Quincey works as a nurse for a wealthy woman.
She thinks the wealthy woman's husband might want to poison his wife and she comes to see Perry Mason with a bottle of pills.
Later the woman does die. Nora Mae is accused of poisoning her. Perry Mason agrees to defend Nora Mae and suspects that the husband did poison her.
He stands to inherit a vast estate, there is a cousin of the dead woman who would continue to get an allowance.
Perry finds out that the husband's first wife also died of poisoning.
Obviously there is an issue as to why the police suspect the elderly Nora Mae of murder. The only motive seems to be that she wore the dead woman's jewellery.
The obvious candidate seems to be the husband although Perry Mason has a few tricks in court to get the actual culprit to break down.
There is a nice little twist and Perry Mason has his own form of legal aid. Pay what you think he is worth.
She thinks the wealthy woman's husband might want to poison his wife and she comes to see Perry Mason with a bottle of pills.
Later the woman does die. Nora Mae is accused of poisoning her. Perry Mason agrees to defend Nora Mae and suspects that the husband did poison her.
He stands to inherit a vast estate, there is a cousin of the dead woman who would continue to get an allowance.
Perry finds out that the husband's first wife also died of poisoning.
Obviously there is an issue as to why the police suspect the elderly Nora Mae of murder. The only motive seems to be that she wore the dead woman's jewellery.
The obvious candidate seems to be the husband although Perry Mason has a few tricks in court to get the actual culprit to break down.
There is a nice little twist and Perry Mason has his own form of legal aid. Pay what you think he is worth.
Pretty good episode, but the book is better
lewis-5124 November 2019
The acting and direction are good. But the original book by the same name is a lot more interesting. It has lots more time to develop a more complex plot. The writers of this episode cut it down drastically. "Fiery fingers" meant a lot more in the book.
Perry Mason at your service for $30.00 or less
kapelusznik1817 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** Perry Mason, Raymond Burr, despite his overhead in running his law office which even in 1958 can run into thousands of dollars a month just asks for a fee of $30.00, $5.00 up front and $25.00 after the case is won, to defend someone in a murder case that involve a $1,000,000.00 inheritance! How would you like to have Perry defending you at this price even if your guilty of the crime your standing trial for! Even the person whom Perry is defending the grandmotherly Nora Mea Quincey, Lenore Shsanewise, is the most unlikely suspect in her employers Louise Gordons,Susan Dorn,murder. It should have been Louise's husband George, Edward Norris, who should have been the prime suspect in the case in not only murdering his wife but having been involved, yet found innocent, in the murder or strange death of his first wife two years earlier!
This strange case gives Perry the opportunity to get literally into the face of Louie's killer on the witness stand that caused the person to confess his or her crime not just from the evidence that Perry presented but to get away from his terrible bad breath, from a dish of spaghetti oil & garlic, that caused the defendant to almost suffocate to death on the witness stand! As for Perry's client Nora Mea she seemed overly confident that Perry would get her off that she showed no fear at ail throughout the entire episode that she'd be convicted. It was hard to believe to anyone watching that Nora Mea was guilty in the first due to the very weak and almost non existing evidence against her.
***SPOILER*** It was the real killer who set up the entire scam to knock off Louie that in the end, due to Perry's bad breath, cracked under the strain and confessed his crime. Not that he planned to framed Nora Mea for Louis's murder but she just came in handy in her borrowing her jewelry to paint the town red. Jewerly that she later returned before she was in fact accused of murdering her!
This strange case gives Perry the opportunity to get literally into the face of Louie's killer on the witness stand that caused the person to confess his or her crime not just from the evidence that Perry presented but to get away from his terrible bad breath, from a dish of spaghetti oil & garlic, that caused the defendant to almost suffocate to death on the witness stand! As for Perry's client Nora Mea she seemed overly confident that Perry would get her off that she showed no fear at ail throughout the entire episode that she'd be convicted. It was hard to believe to anyone watching that Nora Mea was guilty in the first due to the very weak and almost non existing evidence against her.
***SPOILER*** It was the real killer who set up the entire scam to knock off Louie that in the end, due to Perry's bad breath, cracked under the strain and confessed his crime. Not that he planned to framed Nora Mea for Louis's murder but she just came in handy in her borrowing her jewelry to paint the town red. Jewerly that she later returned before she was in fact accused of murdering her!
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