Radio Retropolis

We last saw Clark ringing that bell which forced Wilson's assistant to keep gassing that chamber as Clark knew the only way to get out that chamber was by Superman.

After making a huge mistake of accusing the cook Dorf of poisoning the team, Kent receives a call from White on new evidence.  Commentary on Superman finally being publicly outed.

The wife of a college professor has been kidnapped from her home. They are demanding $10,000 in cash.  Commentary on how a suggested direction in the plot line could have made for a better story.

Last time, Jimmy discovered the football team's cook dropping something into their meal and went to get Kent to tell him what he saw.  Upon returning to the kitchen, the cook was gone.  Commentary on Clark's constantly tipping his hand that he was Superman.

Last time, Superman broke into Quincy's office to get a look at that will to see who could have ulterior motives, yet when he reaches the safe he has been caught by someone in the shadows.  Commentary on the not so nice Superman in this episode.

As Clark and Jimmy visit the lab where the test animals are stored, Jimmy decides to check on the big gorilla they've got in which he lets out a big cry for help with Clark racing to reach him not knowing the danger that lies ahead.  Commentary on the connection between Superman and John Carter of Mars that helped Siegel and Schuster with one major character element in creating Superman.

A little old lady check forger is plaguing the city, but there's more to the old lady than meets the eye.  Commentary on the difference in writing style between original Dragnet writer James Moser and current writer John Robinson, aka Jack Webb.

Clark must find a way to protect the football team so the team can go to the Rose Bowl and the money is granted for a cure for infantile paralysis.  Commentary on the history of the Rose Bowl with special attention to the year of this broadcast.

All 30 players of the Metropolis Football Team collapsed with no motive or explanation in site although Clark is quick to assume that poison of some kind must be involved.  A look at the history of infantile paralysis (which is the story point for this series) better known under it's common name, polio.

For the past six months the managers of large markets have been the victims of an elderly holdup man. The suspect they had in custody in part one, was not the guy.  Commentary on how this episode was somewhat ridiculous and off point.  Also actor, Ralph Moody.

Clark and Lois cover the Metropolis Football game for the Daily Planet when Clark notices the players are collapsing on the field.  Commentary on Clark and Lois' relationship.

Duke Renard learns that Clark and Perry escaped the fire and now makes plans to do away with Bensen's car by rigging the drawbridge.  Kent plans to be in the sheriff's car disguised as a deputy but has no clue what's coming up or that the time to leave was switched earlier. Commentary on the disappointment in the big villain here as we compare this person to a similar villain in Dragnet.

A middle-aged robber wearing a black mask has hit a string of supermarkets with one locking the market employees in the deep freezer!  Also, a rare and final interview with NBC announcer Bill Roddy who was Jack Webb's roommate early in their careers.

The last we heard, Kent as Superman saved Perry White from the burning building set by Renard to kill them both.  Will Kent be able to intercept Renard's plan of murder in time? Commentary on the continuing wavering belief in Superman from characters in the story.

DA Warren learns of Kent's message to Dr. Roebling while Lois is accusing him of collusion by using his office for criminal deeds. Meanwhile Clark tells a nervous Renard exactly what he knows about his plans. 

Kent and White were captured by Duke Renard's group after thinking they were riding with the police to meet up with Bensen who Renard was planning to kill at 9pm that night.  But Kent has one Hail Mary pass and that is to contact Dr. Roebling whom Kent hopes is tuning in.  Commentary on the realities of such a voice machine and how this would never really work.

While waiting to make a narcotics buy, Sergeants Friday and Smith overhear a man tearfully admit that he had committed murder. Listen for the interrogation scene.  Plus lots of Jack Webb trivia!

Thanks to Dr. Roebling's machine tipping Kent off, he plans to catch Duke before he kills Bensen who is scheduled to be transferred to the state prison that night. Commentary on enjoying the great Julian Noa as Perry White plus a comment on what was missed when Duke struck Clark.

Last time, Clark preferring to stay in jail to find out who is planning to murder Benson, shared his plan with Lois while only to discover that his cell had been bugged.  Commentary on the humor between Clark and Perry and why after a year and a half Superman is still an enigma.

A burglary in a dry goods store is the latest in a series of similar crimes. The burglar has a most unusual secret!  Commentary on the hilarious sidebar with the two women in scene one.  Plus actors Gwen Delano and Paul Richards.  Also, the rise and fall of Michelob Beer.

As Roebling's machine was picking up a crime syndicate's plans with Clark Kent as a witness, the police barge in and arrest Kent much to his shock.  More commentary on Perry White and Lois Lane plus a quick history on the Dictograph.

Roebling's unscrupulous nephew shot his wife and destroyed the voice machine for the insurance money before Superman was able to stop him.  Can the doctor rebuild or is it a hopeless cause?

The co-owner of a pawn shop has been found murdered in the back room. A laundry mark on a shirt provides the only clue. Commentary on star Olan Soule including parts of a rare 1990 interview.

Roebling's unscrupulous nephew shot his wife and destroyed the voice machine for the insurance money before Superman was able to stop him.  Can the doctor rebuild or is it a hopeless cause. Commentary on a new twist in the plot line.

Because Clark, aka Superman, prevented Jack from stealing Dr. Roebling's voice machine, Dr. Roebling, in return, granted Clark, Lois and Perry White an exclusive demonstration of the machine itself!  Commentary on the reality of such a machine and a special look at the Gettysburg Address which is the focus of the machine.