Robert Downey Jr As Perry Mason (HBO)

[JayBee74]

The show will be set in the 30's with Nic Pizzolatto (True Detective▲ and True Detective 2▼) as the writer. I wonder if it will be a case of the week sort of thing leading to a bigger story? I just know Raymond Burr's Mason who was virtually unbeatable-not sure how infallible the Downey version will be.

[daflyboys]

Re: Robert Downey Jr As Perry Mason (HBO)

Well, his portrayal of a lawyer in The Judge was good, but Downey does smarmy very well. Perry Mason wasn't smarmy. We'll see if it's a good fit.

[SPTO]

Re: Robert Downey Jr As Perry Mason (HBO)

Well, his portrayal of a lawyer in The Judge was good, but Downey does smarmy very well. Perry Mason wasn't smarmy. We'll see if it's a good fit.

Actually, earlier iterations of Mason on screen were sarcastic, smarmy and cocky. Four of the six Mason films from Warners in the 30s had that portrayal down pat with Warren William essaying the role. The last two films downplayed those aspects of his personality with Ricardo Cortez and Donald Woods respectively portraying the character. Warren William is one of my absolute favorite '30s actors because he had an uber confident swagger and in many of his movies there were always a bit of a skeeviness to him especially when it came to wooing women.

In short, Robert Downey Jr. in Tony Stark mode dialed up to 11.


Anywho, this project sounds like it's right up my alley with the '30s setting and RDJ in the lead role. I will definitely have to check it out.

[JayBee74]

Re: Robert Downey Jr As Perry Mason (HBO)

Well, it's going to be Matthew Rhys who did such a great job on The Americans. They certainly have had enough time to think about it.



HBO's Perry Mason

[SPTO]

Re: Robert Downey Jr As Perry Mason (HBO)

I hope they do this in B&W but that'd be too off putting for some people. It still sounds like a viable project to me.

[JayBee74]

Re: Robert Downey Jr As Perry Mason (HBO)

The time setting (1932 LA) predates the publication of the first Perry Mason book (1933). I'm sure his "private investigator" job is only temporary. I'd hate to have them exclude Paul Drake from the series although that common occupation may bond them.

[daflyboys]

Re: Robert Downey Jr As Perry Mason (HBO)

I hope they do this in B&W but that'd be too off putting for some people. It still sounds like a viable project to me.

Some people are weanies about B&W..... imagine Young Frankenstein in color.... no good.