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Perry Mason

(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, William Hopper, Where to watch: Hallmark Channel, Syndicated, DVD)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Classic courtroom drama wins the case.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    While all sorts of unsavory characters appear in each episode, Mason and his crew are honorable and ethical. Given the show's "vintage" nature, expect some fairly mild gender and racial stereotypes.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Every episode involves a murder and the investigation of the crime, but it's not very graphic -- particularly by today's primetime standards. Bloody murder weapons are sometimes shown, but generally not bodies. Other violence depends on the episode but can include attempted sexual assault, sexual harrassment, fistfights, and the occasional threat with a gun.

  • Sex:

    Some embraces and mild kisses.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some main characters smoke (not unexpectedly, given the '50s setting). Occasional drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Perry Mason

Parents need to know that this classic courtroom drama deals with murder in almost every episode. While bodies generally aren't seen, there are images of bloody murder weapons (though in black and white, the blood is hard to discern) and detailed discussions of the less-gory elements of the crime. Some scenes -- such as a woman being chased by a man who's trying to sexually assault her -- can be mildly alarming. The now-classic chalk or tape body outline at the crime scene is a common sight. The show was made in the '50s and '60s, so there's some casual smoking and gentle reinforcement of some old-fashioned gender and racial stereotypes.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the differences between classic and modern crime dramas. What do the older shows have in common with the new ones? What sets them apart? Are today's series -- which usually show more details of the crime -- scarier or more entertaining than their predecessors? Why or why not?
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