Perry Mason Days returns to Oroville

Books’ author was from Oroville

OROVILLE » The cases of a fictional master criminal defense attorney who handled the most difficult of cases to aid the innocent will be celebrated Saturday during the 18th annual Perry Mason Days in Oroville.

The event, which celebrates the life and times of the Perry Mason Mystery Series author Erle Stanley Gardner, kicks off at 11 a.m. with a free movie at the State Theatre at 1489 Myers St. in downtown Oroville titled “The Six and Seven Lives of Erle Stanley Gardner.”

Gardner was a lawyer as well as an author and lived in both Oroville and Paradise and attended Oroville High School.

“We’re very thrilled that the theater has invited us to have Perry Mason days,” said Alberta Tracy, Historical Society member. “It’s very exciting and we hope a lot of people will come.”

The movie will be followed by a donation-suggested buffet. Then attendees will be welcomed by Historical Society member Alberta Tracy, also known as The Lady of Butte County, who will be dressed as Hedda Hopper. Valorie Zwirn, visiting from Cerritos, who has attended every Perry Mason Days event, will give a book report based on one of Gardner’s travel books, “Off the Beaten Track in Baja.”

After that, local historian Jim Lenhoff will tell stories about Gardner’s experiences at Oroville High, where he began school at age 14.

There will then be a question-and-answer period, where fans can talk about why they are Gardner’s fans and what their favorite book is. Gardner’s books will be sold for $1 by the Historical Society.

There will be a raffle with two gift baskets as prizes.

The State Theatre will show a free Perry Mason film at 2:30 p.m. called “The Case of the Howling Dog,” featuring both a 1934 and 1959 version.

Merchants in Oroville will feature a Perry Mason item at 10 percent off, or a Perry Mason drink or ice cream. Perry Mason book covers will be shown in their windows.

The Feather River Senior Center is also sponsoring an Italian-style murder mystery dinner Friday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce by calling 538-2542 or by calling the Senior Center at 533-8370.

There will be an archery tournament by the Exchange Club on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Oroville High Football Field.