Los Angeles
Where a tall, fish-faced detective meets a brilliant lawyer in the heart of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles serves as the specific geographic home for Perry Mason, the highly successful criminal defense lawyer, and his right-hand man Paul Drake. As established in Erle Stanley Gardner's novels and subsequent adaptations, this city is where their partnership thrives. It is a place of legal battles and private investigations, defined by the professional dynamic between a sharp attorney and a slouching, undistinguished detective who often smokes cigarettes while on surveillance. The narrative roots are firmly planted here, from the armchair conversations about bad coffee to the courtroom dramas that span decades of media history.
- Location
- Los Angeles
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
He often smoked cigarettes, especially when having a subject of interest under surveillance within the city's bounds. His appearance was deceptive; while he looked undistinguished and sometimes complained about indigestion from living on cheap hamburgers and bad coffee, he was personally dedicated and physically tough in a fight. Drake typically slouched in an armchair with his back over one arm and his legs over the other during conversations with Mason. This dynamic played out against the backdrop of Los Angeles, where Mason built his career as a criminal defense lawyer. The lore extends to film variations: Allen Jenkins played 'Spudsy Drake' in 1935 films like The Case of the Curious Bride, followed by Eddie Acuff in 1936's The Case of the Velvet Claws. By 1936's The Case of the Black Cat, Garry Owen took over as Paul Drake proper, with Joseph Crehan following in 1937.
In Their Own Story
The story of Paul Drake in Los Angeles evolved significantly across media. In 1957, CBS launched a Perry Mason series that ran until 1966. William Hopper auditioned for both the Mason and Drake roles; executive producer Gail Jackson recalled, 'He was perfect as Drake, and we got him.' Hopper noted in 1962 that the book version of Drake was entirely different from his portrayal, joking, 'I play him my way. Now I'm amused to read Gardner's new books. Paul Drake now comes out like me!' A running gag on the series featured Drake as a 'wolf' who dated every woman he could except Della Street, whom he respectfully called 'Hi Beautiful.' The character persisted through time: Albert Stratton played him in the 1973–74 revival, while the 1985 TV films introduced his son, Paul Jr., played by William Katt. In the 2020 HBO reimagining, the setting remained Los Angeles, but Drake was reimagined as an African-American LAPD uniformed police officer portrayed by Chris Chalk.
Reader's Guide
For fans exploring the lore of Paul Drake in Los Angeles, key turning points define the character's journey. The original novels depict a man who is 'lanky' and slightly 'fish-faced' or 'pop-eyed,' often found slouching with complaints about his diet while working for Mason. On screen, the role shifted from Allen Jenkins to Eddie Acuff, then Garry Owen and Joseph Crehan in the 1930s films before William Hopper solidified the image for television in 1957. Hopper's performance was so definitive that Brian Kelleher and Diana Merrill wrote, 'Just as Raymond Burr will always be Perry Mason, Bill Hopper will always be Paul Drake.' The guide to this universe includes noting the 1973–74 short-lived revival with Albert Stratton, the 1985 film series where Drake's son took over the PI role played by William Katt (son of actress Barbara Hale), and the modern 2020 interpretation by Chris Chalk. Each iteration anchors itself in Los Angeles, adapting the core traits of dedication and toughness to new eras.
Did You Know?
- Paul Drake is described as 'lanky' with a slightly 'fish-faced' or 'pop-eyed' appearance in the novels.
- William Hopper played Paul Drake in the CBS series from 1957 to 1966, noting he changed the character to match his own style.
- In the TV series, Drake dates every woman except Della Street, whom he calls 'Hi Beautiful'.
- The 2020 HBO reimagining features Paul Drake as an African-American LAPD officer portrayed by Chris Chalk.
- Allen Jenkins played a variation called 'Spudsy Drake' in two 1935 films before the name was standardized to Paul Drake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Los Angeles in this context?
Los Angeles is not a character but the primary setting where Perry Mason and Paul Drake operate throughout Erle Stanley Gardner's stories. It serves as the backdrop for their legal battles and private investigations.
What role does Los Angeles play in the narrative?
The city functions as the stage for the dynamic between a brilliant defense attorney and his slouching, cigarette-smoking detective partner. Its streets and courtrooms define the professional environment where their cases unfold.
How does the story conclude regarding Los Angeles?
Since Los Angeles is a location rather than a character with an arc, it remains the constant home base for Mason and Drake across all novels and adaptations without a specific ending.
Why is Los Angeles important to fans of the series?
The city is essential because it grounds the famous partnership of the sharp lawyer and his undistinguished right-hand man in a realistic urban landscape. It provides the atmosphere for everything from courtroom drama to armchair conversations about bad coffee.
Where do Perry Mason and Paul Drake meet?
They operate together in the heart of Los Angeles, where a tall, fish-faced detective frequently partners with a brilliant lawyer to solve complex criminal cases.
More in OVO Universe & Aesthetics
Elsewhere in the Drake universe
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