Perry Mason: The case of the silent black judge, in The case of the skeleton's closet

Perry Mason episodes are revealing

I have been binge-watching episodes of Perry Mason on various platforms for the past two years. One episode that intrigues me is The Case of the Skeleton's Closet, which aired in October, 1963. The judge is portrayed by African Americn actor Vince Townsend.

This was the only time a judge of color was on the series. He is shown several times in the background as Perry (Raymond Burr) and District Attorney Hamilton Burger (William Talmon) interrogate the various witnesses. There is one scene where the judge is alone on screen for just a few moments in a close-up.

An unusual portrayal of a judge

On Perry Mason, the judges always interact with the lawyers and those who are on the witness stand. They examine the evidence, call for breaks, or ask for order in the court. They also hand down verdicts, announce contempt of court, and declare mistrials.

In this episode, there was a noticeable difference as Townsend's character did absolutely nothing. The judge watched as Mason and Burger carried on with their duties, like a silent observer.

Towsend's character was not recognized by name, and he did not bang his gavel or say "sustained or overruled." The episode aired four years before Thurgood Marshall became the first African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court as a justice in 1967.

Portrayals of African Americans on TV

Television in those days portrayed African Americans as maids and butlers. Dianne Carroll received hate mail because her character, Julia Baker in the television series Julia, was a nurse.

Star Trek received hate mail when Captain James T. Kirk (and Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) had the first interracial kiss on TV.

I wonder who decided to have a Black man portray a judge, and why? Some Perry Mason fans may not have been comfortable with an African American male in such a position of authority during that era, even if it was only TV.

Some people might have been offended by Townsend's character ordering Mason and the others around or banging his gavel, demanding order in the court. I also wonder if the actor sought out the role because of the career he was headed into a few years later.

Perhaps he desired firsthand experience as a judge in a courtroom but the showrunner had to tread carefully with how he was portrayed.

Vincent Townsend facts

There is no information online that sheds light on the subject but an article on Reel Rundown by Ronald Franklin on May 29th of this year is where I borrowed the phrase: The case of the silent black judge.

Like me, the author just happened to see the episode of Perry Mason with the African American judge and wrote his article using the alternate title, and I am thankful for it.

Townsend's Life Imitates Art

Vincent Townsend Jr. was born on April 12, 1906, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He was also known as Vince Monroe Townsend, Vince Townsend, Vince Monroe Townsend Jr., and Vince M. Townsend Jr.

His life imitated art as he became the first African-American Attorney in Los Angeles, California; was an Honorable Reverend/Minster at First AME Church, LA, and also became a Municipal Court Judge.

The actor's other roles include Never Wave at a WAC (1953), Porgy and Bess (1959), and Weird Science (1985). He passed away on October 16, 1997, at age 91 in Los Angeles.

Vincent Townsend was an unsung hero and deserves to be recognized for his accomplishments. Kudos to those behind the scenes of Perry Mason for taking a chance during a time when using a Black male actor could have brought much controversy.

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