This particular Perry Mason television film, The Case of the Reckless Romeo, is distinguished for having Geraldo Rivera play a version of himself and well on the screen. It was almost a shame to have him killed off, he was the best thing about this film.
Like Geraldo in real life, Geraldo is the host of a tabloid television talk show and he's written some tell all memoirs about the women of whom he's had carnal knowledge of. But whereas in real life some of them issued denials altogether and some just didn't comment, these women are furious. But unfortunately one of them made the mistake of having the cameras rolling when she threatened to do Geraldo in. She's the star of an action television series, so when Geraldo is done in, she's the one who needs the services of Perry Mason.
The other thing The Case of the Reckless Romeo is noted for is the presence of Tracy Nelson who comes from a distinguished show business family, the daughter of Ricky and the granddaughter of Ozzie and Harriet, with her husband William R. Moses. Tracy plays a kind of budding Geraldo like journalist herself and she's carving an agenda all her own in this episode.
There's a cute subplot about Raymond Burr being constantly reminded that it's Barbara Hale's birthday coming up. As if someone as sharp as Perry Mason would ever forget Della Street's birthday.
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