She delighted generations as the donut baking Alice Horton on Days of our Lives. But like most of daytime television’s seasoned matriarchs, actress Frances Reid had quite a career before joining the ranks of the ultra-beloved performers in the continuing history of soaps. 

Of special note is her appearance on a season 6 episode of the original Perry Mason (The Case of Constant Doyle) – the show that featured the indomitable Bette Davis, as the titular Doyle, in the steed of an ailing Raymond Burr. Here Davis’ shrewd yet kind lawyer is determined to help the young Cal Leonard (Michael Parks) evade a murder charge. Her investigation soon uncovers that the true killer may be closer to her than she ever thought. 

Amid a character brigade of financial shysters and drunken society ladies, Reid’s proper Ms. Liza Gibney is ultimately a standout. Seemingly prim and proper, she also presents a devious side -making for a complicated character that steals focus with a hysterical breakout when pertinent evidence is revealed about her in Davis’ summation in the show’s final act.

Nicely, besides the participation of Davis and Parks, who both have numerous horror credits in their multifaceted resumes, childhood actress Peggy Ann Garner (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Daisy Kenyon) provides an acerbic, fun appearance as the afore mentioned inebriated, high society wife.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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