Back to the curious mid-century rules of divorce, especially in a community property state like California. No-fault divorce did not yet exist, so if either party wanted to get out of the deal fast, they had to file in the state of Nevada, and even then there were certain rules regarding residency. Which explains the dude ranches that proliferated in the vicinity of Reno and Las Vegas, where they usually hung out for the necessary month or so. The other alternative was the quickie Mexican divorce, which was usually only legal in Mexico. And if you are trying to juggle a former and a pending wife and don’t really know what you are doing, it’s easy to get busted for bigamy.
Such is the case of Mason’s client, but when one of the ladies ends up dead, things get even worse. And then there is the secretary from the office above that of Mason. When she makes an exit down the fire escape, she makes sure Mason gets a good look at her legs which are apparently rather stellar. Later that night as he walks out to his car, there she is again, unexpectedly planting a big smackaroo on him, as a flash bulb goes off. The press may like it, but our girl Della doesn’t break a sweat. She knows her man.
Bonus scenes in La Jolla and Oceanside, and stock shenanigans galore. And an excellent reason never to use a phone booth inside a recently built Tijuana motel. Despite her name, Señora Inocente Miguerinio knows what’s up.
