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MeTV's tribute to Barbara Hale: WHY did they pick that episode??

posted 8 years ago by slackersmom
10 replies | jump to latest

So since Barbara Hale's death, MeTV announced that they'd air a "special tribute" to Della Street on Tuesday evening. So what episode was it? TCOT Sun-bather's Diary.

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No idea WHY they chose that particular episode. Della wasn't featured in it any more than she was in a lot of other episodes. In fact, it was less than quite a few of them. I figured they'd do one like Weary Watchdog, in which Della's friend gets involved in murder, and Della borrows money from Perry, etc. Or the one (can't remember which) in which Della poses as Paul's sister and rents an apartment.

In any case, this was an odd pick for a tribute to Barbara Hale.

Also, one thing about Sun-bather's Diary that wasn't quite explained in the MeTV version. We know Perry rolled up the stolen bills in the man's window shade. But who was it that the detectives saw rolling down the shade, and who actually took the money? Obviously it was the killer, but A) why did he roll down the shade, B) did he know the money was in the shade or was it just coincidence, and made a 'lucky find,' and C) was it just another coincidence that the man drove a car that looked like Perry's?

This may have been a case of MeTV's bad editing (cutting) but I was disappointed not to get any explanation of the shade business in the final wrap-up.

[–] jamesbwill 8 years ago

I didn't understand the selection of TCOT Sunbather's Diary, either.

TCOT Weary Watchdog would have been the much better choice.

I didn't understand the scene inside the victim's house with the window shade, either. All I can think is that they killer was hiding in the house and saw Perry put the bills there. It was a HUGE coincidence that he drove a car a lot of Perry's. None of that was ever explained, as far as I saw. It may be MeTV editing that is the culprit.

[–] lawson14 8 years ago

In TCOT Borrowed Baby, METV edited out the last few minutes in which Della lets out a wail and bemoans the fact that that was the only time she got to be a mother. Very poor.

[–] pc-privconfounder 8 years ago

I bought the DVDs years ago. There will be twelve-inch icicles hanging from the rafters of Hell before any TV network shows uncut episodes of PM.

[–] jamesbwill 8 years ago

I also noticed that MeTV cut the final scene. That was a really bad idea.

[–] lynniem50 8 years ago

I agree - weird choice for a Barbara Hale tribute. TCOT Weary Watchdog would have been better. I'm only guessing that MeTV aired Sun Bather's Diary just for Della's peck on Perry's cheek at the end. It also drove me nuts that if Sun Bather's Diary was a "tribute", why did they cut out Perry and Della's conversation in the office when Della was telling Perry that Arlene Dowling was on the phone? That quip about Della informing Perry that Arlene was not wearing anything and Perry getting "Just the bare facts" was quite amusing.  I'm glad that I have the DVD's to watch - MeTV cuts out way too much!

[–] hilpzub 8 years ago

It was an odd episode except for the kiss which I also think that was the reason for chooosing it. I do not know if anyone caught CBS this Morning when announcing Ms.Hale's passing and showing a clip of TCOT Restless Redhead-the photo on the screen was the female star of the episode which I believe was Whitney Blake. not Ms.Hale. How sloppy! She deserved better-a beautiful lady.

[–] jdailey3 8 years ago

So glad to find there are others who are wondering why did they pick that episode

[–] lawson14 8 years ago

It was probably the kiss.

[–] indy_go_blue44 8 years ago

But who was it that the detectives saw rolling down the shade, and who actually took the money? Obviously it was the killer, but A) why did he roll down the shade, B) did he know the money was in the shade or was it just coincidence, and made a 'lucky find,' and C) was it just another coincidence that the man drove a car that looked like Perry's?

It was the murderer, the guy who was playing pool and was also fired after the theft. They never made it clear if he was in the house or was watching from outside somewhere and saw Perry raise and lower the shade. I would think he was outside in the bushes and the surveillance crew didn't see him. In the house he would've had to have had a view into the living room... possible, they didn't show the rest of the house.

JMO.

[–] otrnepodahl 8 years ago

I believe it was for the peck on the cheek as well. I also agree about the cutting for more $19.99 + shipping, commercial items. Years back, when PM was shown on TBS, at 11-CT, they did the same thing. I too have the DVD's; well, at least from the first season, for that very reason. BTW the actor whose silhouette was seen, was Peter Leeds. He was also on many a many old time radio shows, as well as a member of Johnny Carson's- Mighty Carson Art Player's. One other thing; I'm going to miss this Message Board site.