Lawyer series - THE AMAZING MR. MALONE/NBC/1951-52 was the first dramatic prime time series to feature a lawyer as the lead character. Lee Tracy (who later starred as Martin Kane on MARTIN KANE, PRIVATE EYE/NBC/1949-54) played the brilliant criminal lawyer John J. Malone in this "live" mystery series. The series was based on the novels of Craig Rice and the radio program begun in 1947. MR. DISTRICT ATTORNEY/ABC/1951-52 starring Jay Jostyn as D.A. Paul Garrett began a few weeks later on the ABC network. Other early lawyers included MISS SUSAN/NBC/1951, the first daytime program to feature a female (handicapped) lawyer in a lead role; and FAMOUS JURY TRIALS/DUM/1949-52 and YOUR WITNESS/ABC/1949-50 two series which featured case reenactments. The first law series (prime time) to feature a female lawyer in the leading role was KATE MCSHANE/CBS/1975. Anne Meara starred as a single, gutsy and yet kindhearted Irish-American lawyer who was assisted by her father, a retired police officer and her brother, a Jesuit priest and law professor. TRIVIA NOTE: Not the first but perhaps TV most famous lawyer was Perry Mason (Raymond Burr), PERRY MASON/CBS/1957-74 a long time hero of the court room drama, who never lost a single court battle, except for one case during the 1963 season. District Attorney Burger (William Talman), who fought valiantly against the odds for so long finally was in the spotlight. Headlines on a seven star edition of the Los Angeles Chronicle read "Burger Defeats Mason." Unfortunately for Burger, it was discovered he won the case on a technicality. Perry's client was covering up for someone else and allowed herself to be found guilty. Perry discovered the true villain anyway and got the stubborn victim out of jail. Poor Mr. District Attorney! William Talman died of lung cancer in 1968.