Radio Retropolis

A nightclub manager has been robbed and killed. The killers made good their escape.  Commentary introducing Ben Alexander who joins the cast as Officer Frank Smith for the remainder of the radio and original television series. Plus, additional commentary on Chesterfield cigarettes being touted by Jack Webb and the medical community as a "healthy" cigarette.

Kent captured two of Deutch's thugs and tied them up in the stern of the boat.  Little did he know that they cut their way through the ropes, set the boat on fire and they made their getaway leaving Jimmy and Clark to die at sea. Commentary on Superman's discoveries of his powers and abilities in previous episodes but not this time.

Lamont Cranston and Margo Lane are spending the weekend at their good and very wealthy friends the Bartons in which they learn that Henry Barton recently purchased a priceless gem known as the Great Harvey Diamond, which also is said to be cursed.  Commentary on the clever plot twist as well as guest actor Alan Reed whose voice is known by many generations in one of the most iconic cartoon charact...

Last time Jimmy Browning and Kent escaped by plane and are now headed to the boat not knowing what's in store for them there.  Commentary on how Kent frequently forgets he's Superman.

A gang hit-man threatens to kill Frank Smith's wife and children if he doesn't back off of his investigation in the gang's activities.  Commentary on the introduction of a new cigarette sponsor-Chesterfield.

Deutch, who is losing touch with reality with each episode, has just commanded all entrances sealed and to reverse the air ventilation to suffocate Clark, Jimmy and Professor Browning.  How will Kent find a way out without revealing his secret identity?  Commentary on the realities of the radium threat in 1941 which find its way in many science fiction dramas.

Several workers in a tunnel construction project are killed in a depressurization chamber when the air pressure in it drops too quickly. Commentary on the real sandhogs of the day plus Kenny Delmar as Commissioner Weston in which we compare his most popular role as Senator Beauregard Claghorn from Fred Allen's Allen's Alley to that as the inspiration to one of Warner Brothers most famous cartoon c...

Last time, Clark freed Professor Browning who is the man behind the discovery of the radium ore deposit.  But as they escape, Browning points out the running lights of a ship in which Kent will now see how these men are made to dig in the mines.  Commentary on the use of reverse angles to enhance the Superman action as well as lead villain Deutch becoming more sadistic.

A burglar is breaking into homes between 3:30 to 6pm using a credit card to open the lock.  He robs the place and has a glass of milk before he leaves.  Commentary on Fatima Cigarettes who will soon exit as sponsor of Dragnet.

Clark and Jimmy witnessing hundreds of men chained together in the bottom of the pit of the volcano.  Commentary on breaking down radium.

While marooned on Volcano Island, both he, now as Clark Kent, and Jimmy witness a sea plane descending into the side of a volcano that opened up like a giant hatch. 

Several crewmen at sea have been treated for infection by the ship's doctor in which life saving amputations of the "infected" area had been performed while some have died.  But what is the real sinister motive behind the cause of these infections? Discussion on the superior audio quality of this episode, as well as great storytelling, and where other pristine copies might be. We also discuss Cran...

While tracking his dog, Storm, onto a mysterious sea plane,  the plane starts to take off before Jimmy and his dog can get off.  Where is this plane going?  Could it be on its way to where Deutch is hiding? Commentary on the emerging "Super-Kent" in this series.

A call comes in on a man after suffering a heart attack had died after he had fallen and fractured his skull. However, there is someone who knows more to the story that this man's death.  Commentary on actor Sammy Ogg who co-starred in this episode.  Plus actress June Whitley.

Last time, Kent and Lewis found themselves courting danger as they investigate a car that was pushed into the water.  Little do they know that Deutch has them in his sights.  Commentary on the maturity of the characters and the actors now fully understanding their roles.

Lamont and Margo investigate a mad scientist who uses a rival scientist's mechanical robot to take revenge on those who turned down his invention.  Commentary on the origin of the word robot, how this episode and other works of art accurately depicted what our technical future would be.  We also take a look at Fritz Lang's Metropolis.

Lois Lane is in grave danger as she types her report on Deutch not knowing there's a bomb set to explode the moment she types in the word DEUTCH. Commentary on the brief return of Lois Lane.

A man who was a witness to his friend's murder in Mexico who escaped back to the border tells Friday and Smith the shaky accounts of what he remembers.  Commentary on the unusual story line not common with other Dragnet episodes.  Plus a look at the tragic life of Mario Lanza who's radio show was promoted in this broadcast.

After saving the Grayson submarine, Clark is requested back to the naval base from Commander Leeds to help catch Dr. Deutch.  But Deutch has other plans that puts someone at the Daily Planet in grave danger.  Commentary on the evolution of Perry White.

Lamont and Margo find themselves at an old castle after having car trouble.  There they meet a woman who is later threatened with being committed as mentally ill for claiming to see and hear strange things. Commentary on the comparisons between this script and the classic story Gaslight.

Deutch and Hans made their escape and now begin plans to exact their revenge. Commentary on how this serial leads into the next with Dr. Deutch.

Stolen blank business checks are being passed in supermarkets around the city by a man who died six months ago.  Commentary on real check cashing schemes of the early 50s.  Plus, a look at the colorful career of tonight's guest star Cliff Arquette who would become a fixture in our pop culture heritage.

Superman is on a massive search for the Grayson Submarine which is hours away but he has no idea in which direction and he must go to reach it in time to save Perry and Lois before Dr. Deutch torpedoes it. Commentary on the "super" abilities of Clark Kent.

In our last episode, we learned of Dr. Deutch's evil plot as both Perry White and Lois Lane find themselves in grave danger.  Commentary on the Nazis signing and breaking treaties with the most famous being the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact.  

Fingerprints of a knife thrower, who was executed eight years earlier, are found in a room and on the dead body. When the killer strikes again, the same fingerprints are found at the scene.  Commentary on why this episode is one of the strongest of the season, thanks to writer Sidney Sion, who also created another villainous character for The Shadow which was the inspiration for another iconic vil...