how many perry mason episodes were in color

Only one Perry Mason episode was filmed in color.

This standout episode, titled "The Case of the Twice-Told Twist," aired on February 27, 1966, during the show's ninth and final season. Out of the original CBS series' total of 271 episodes (running from 1957 to 1966), every other one was shot in black-and-white.

Why Just One?

CBS President William Paley specifically commissioned this color test to evaluate if the long-running legal drama could transition to color for a potential tenth season, as color TV was gaining traction by the mid-1960s. Costs for color filming had dropped, making it feasible, but the network ultimately canceled the series before committing to a full color run. Fans still rave about seeing stars like Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale in vivid hues—revealing details like the courtroom's gray walls—for the first time.

Episode Highlights

• Aired late in season 9 : Influenced by Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist , it featured tight close-ups possibly due to specialized color lighting setups.
• Fan reactions : Viewers on forums note Paul Drake's "tourist" outfit on Olvera Street and a "Mexican" character with striking blue eyes pop in color.

• DVD bonus : Available in sets like the 50th Anniversary Edition, where digital restoration makes it shine alongside black-and-white episodes.

Series Context

Perry Mason starred Raymond Burr as the unbeatable defense attorney, with Barbara Hale as Della Street and William Hopper as Paul Drake, solving 271 cases through dramatic trials. Though a 1973 revival (The New Perry Mason) existed, it stuck to black-and-white vibes and lasted just one season. No full color shift ever happened, leaving this episode a quirky "what if" in TV history.

The lone color episode remains a fun trivia gem, sparking discussions on sites like IMDb and Facebook groups even in 2025.

TL;DR: Just 1 out of 271 episodes.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.