Paul Drake (character)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2015) |
| Paul Drake | |
|---|---|
Private detective | |
| Children | Paul Drake Jr. (son) |
| Nationality | American |
Paul Drake is a fictional private detective in the
Novels
Drake is frequently described as "lanky" and slightly "fish-faced" or "pop-eyed". In talking with Mason, he generally likes to slouch in an armchair with his back over one arm and his legs over the other. The conversations often include complaints about his indigestion from living on cheap hamburgers and bad coffee when working for Mason. His appearance and attitude are deceptive, however: he is personally dedicated, and physically tough in a fight.
Films
Allen Jenkins played a variation on the Paul Drake character, referred to as Spudsy Drake, in two 1935 films based on Gardner novels, The Case of the Curious Bride and The Case of the Lucky Legs.
Eddie Acuff took over the Spudsy role in the 1936 film The Case of the Velvet Claws.
Garry Owen played the investigator, now known simply as Paul Drake, in 1936's The Case of the Black Cat, and Joseph Crehan took over in 1937's The Case of the Stuttering Bishop.
Television
In 1957, the
"Paul Drake in the Erle Stanley Gardner books was an entirely different character," Hopper said in 1962. "I play him my way. Now I'm amused to read Gardner's new books. Paul Drake now comes out like me!"[3]
"Just as Raymond Burr will always be Perry Mason, Bill Hopper will always be Paul Drake," wrote Brian Kelleher and Diana Merrill in their chronicle of the TV series. "He defined the role."[4]: 65
A running gag on the series is that although Paul Drake is a "wolf" who dates every woman he can, the only woman he does not date is Della Street whom he always respectfully refers to as "Hi Beautiful" - in deference to the romantic chemistry displayed between Perry and Della.
In the short-lived 1973–74 revival, The New Perry Mason, Paul Drake was played by Albert Stratton.
In the successful series of
In
Notes
- ^ Kinescopes of Hopper's audition as Perry Mason, along with Raymond Burr's auditions for Hamilton Burger and Mason, were included as special features on the 2008 "50th Anniversary Edition" Perry Mason DVD set.
References
- ^ Galbraith IV, Stuart (April 10, 2008). "Perry Mason – 50th Anniversary Edition". DVD Talk. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
- ^ Bawden, James (April 29, 2014). "Dream Factory Time: Gail Patrick". Classic Images. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
- ^ Thomas, Bob (June 16, 1962). "Perry Mason's Aide Faces a Dilemma". Oakland Tribune (Associated Press).
- ISBN 9780312006693. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
- ^ "Perry Mason (1985–1993), The Perry Mason Mystery (1993–1995)". The Classic TV Archive. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
- ^ Petski, Denise (June 28, 2019). "'Perry Mason': Chris Chalk, Shea Whigham, Nate Corddry Among Seven Cast In HBO Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
 | This article about a fictional character from a novel is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. See guidelines for writing about novels. Further suggestions might be found on the article's talk page. |