Perry Mason: Have you ever seen Gertie Lade?

Perry Mason: Where in the world is Gertie Lade?

The Perry Mason television series ran from 1957 until 1966 on CBS. Perry (Raymond Burr) and his trusted assistant Della Street, (Barbara Mason) often mentioned Gertie the receptionist but some viewers of the crime drama had never seen this character and were unaware there was an actual actress in the role.

You may have watched hundreds of episodes of the show 5 or 10 times each now that Perry Mason is in syndication and never once seen Gertie. You might even have assumed that she was never on camera or had a last name like Sara the telephone operator in Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show.

Perhaps you saw the actress but assumed she was a client as many celebrities made multiple appearances on Perry Mason in a different role each time. Many of those who have caught a glimpse or two or more of Gertie the office worker were unaware that her last name was Lade.

Mason, Street, and Detective Paul Drake ( William Hopper) often mentioned work they needed Gertie to do and it appeared she was a permanent fixture somewhere out there .but the office assistant was only in 17 of 271 episodes between 1957 and 1964 and was not in the final 2 seasons of Perry Mason.Thats an average of on 2 or 3 appearances per season.

Gertie Lade came from the pages of a book

Gertrude "Gertie" Lade first appeared in 1939 in the Erle Stanley Gardner novel The Case of the Rolling Bones. This was the 15th book in the Perry Mason series. Lade was a switchboard operator who enjoyed reading romance novels and snacking on boxed chocolates while at her desk. On the television show, the character was portrayed by Consuelo Cezon whose name is spelled Cezan in other roles.

Gertie's looks are distinctive and her personality unforgettable thanks to the actress who played her. Cezon has been compared to both Betty Boop and Betty Davis due to her arched eyebrows, short thin, stature. and her round wide eyes. She was actually Davis's double in several films most notably Dead Ringer.

Connie Cezon's additional credits

The actress was born on March 28, 1925, and known professionally as Connie Cezon, She had roles in over 30 films and television shows between 1951 and 1964. These include Boston Blackie (1951)

Outlaw Women, Corny Casanovas, So You Want To Go To A Convention (1952) -

The Abbott and Costello Show, Up in Daisy's Penthouse and Tricky Dicks (1953)

Playgirl (1954) -

Gang Busters (1952-1955)

Adventures of Rin Tin Tin and Female Jungle (1955)

Hot Stuff (1956)

Rusty Romeos (1957)

Perry Mason (1957–1964

Triple Crossed (1959) -

Dead Ringer (1964)

The Three Stooges days and beyond

The petite blonde was a fixture in Hollywood in the Fifties and is probably most recognizable for appearing in The Three Stooges series. Cezon appeared in several Stooges shorts during the Shemp Howard era and her most memorable role was as Mabel a gold-digger engaged to all three Stooges in Corny Casanovas.

As each Stooge Shemp, Moe Howard qnd Larry Fine arrives at her home, she proudly declares, "I knew you were coming so I baked a cake!" She then proceeded to throw cake in their faces and ended up with cake in her own face.

Connie retired from showbusiness in 1966 and began running a boarding service for cats in Los Angeles called Connie's Kitty Castle. There is no record of the actress marrying or having children. Connie Cezon had a stroke but was able to continue living in her apartment, She died on February 26, 2004, due to complications from surgery for breast cancer.