Applescript run from Mail rule does not run

Question

I am attempting to run an Applescript from a Mail rule. Basically, the Applescript does not run.
Stripped to the bare essentials, the following script runs fine when Applying a rule in Mail:
say "Hello"
as well as this one:
say "Hello"
using terms from application "Mail"
on perform mail action with messages theMessages for rule theRule
tell application "Mail"
-- statements to process each message in theMessages
end tell
end perform mail action with messages
end using terms from
But, when I remove the comments from the block lifted verbatim from the Applescript manual:
say "Hello"
using terms from application "Mail"
on perform mail action with messages theMessages for rule theRule
tell application "Mail"
-- statements to process each message in theMessages
end tell
end perform mail action with messages
end using terms from
the script does not even say Hello.
I am trying to go as far as having the Applescript create a new ToDo based on specific incoming emails, but I can't get any but the simplest Applescript to run.
Can anyone help me?
Tom

Answer 1

The script works just fine - at least, as designed if not as expected.
When the script runs, Mail and/or AppleScript looks for a perform mail action handler. If that is found, the commands within are executed.
If there is no perform mail action handler then the script is run as-is (i.e. as if you clicked 'Run' in AppleScript Editor).
And that's exactly what's happening here. In the first case (that works) the script is running because there's no (visible) perform mail action handler.
In the second case where it apparently doesn't work, there is a handler, so that handler is being executed. Any code outside that handler is ignored (unless it's called from within the perform mail action handler.
Since your 'say' command is outside the handler, it is ignored. However, if you move it inside the perform mail action handler you'll hear your speech.