Ep 5. The Case of the Crying Comedian

In Perry Mason season 5 episode 5, titled The Case of the Crying Comedian, the titular character takes on a case involving a comedian. The episode begins with Perry Mason attending a stand-up comedy performance by his friend Halstead, who is known for his raunchy humor. However, during his act, Halstead suddenly breaks down and starts crying. The audience is shocked, and Halstead is immediately taken off stage.

The next day, Perry Mason is approached by Halstead's manager, who reveals that Halstead has been receiving threatening letters in the past few weeks. The manager suspects that the letters might have something to do with Halstead's breakdown on stage, and asks Perry Mason to investigate.

Perry Mason begins his investigation by questioning Halstead and his colleagues in the comedy industry. He discovers that Halstead's jokes had been getting progressively darker in the weeks leading up to his breakdown, which had caused some concern among his friends. Perry also learns that Halstead had been involved in a contentious divorce case with his estranged wife, who had accused him of being an unfit parent to their children.

As Perry Mason digs deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of lies and deceit. He discovers that Halstead's manager had been embezzling money from Halstead and had been using the threatening letters as a way to cover up his tracks. Perry also discovers that Halstead's wife had been using the divorce case as a way to get back at her husband, and had been the one to send the threatening letters.

With the help of his team, Perry Mason is able to gather enough evidence to prove that Halstead's manager had been stealing from him, and that Halstead's wife had been behind the threatening letters. In the end, justice is served, and Halstead is able to move on from his traumatic experience and focus on his comedy career.

Overall, The Case of the Crying Comedian is a thrilling episode that showcases Perry Mason's investigative prowess and his dedication to helping his clients. With its complex plot and well-acted performances, this episode is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.