Radio Retropolis

Lois and Horatio are minutes away from death sealed in the submarine at the bottom of the sea just as Superman spots the flare signal sent by Horatio.  Will he get there in time?  JR counts down "The 13 Things You Might Not Know from the The Adventures of Superman Radio Show" compiled by 13thdimension.com.  Plus, JR comments on the limits of Superman's strength as heard in this episode.

A man stumbles into a pawn shop, where he sees a decrepit old man playing chess. Unbeknownst to him, the old man is a sociopath playing with real human lives where murder is the win.  Commentary on the legendary Cold War chess match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky in 1972 in Iceland.  Plus actors Raymond Massey and Jackson Beck.  

A mobster plunges the city into darkness for one night by planting explosive light bulbs everywhere.  Once darkness falls he plans a personal reign of terror. Commentary on the contentious relationship Lamont Cranston has with Commissioner Weston which is a new dynamic the writers are trying out.  Also discussed is the lack of the Shadow himself in recent episodes being used only when absolutely necessary.

A high-flying circus trapeze act featuring a man, his best friend, and the woman they both love. One man decides to kill his friend and rival during their performance—in front of thousands of people—making it look like a tragic accident.  JR speaks on "haunted" star Dana Andrews chilling performance and how this plotline resembles a recurring theme on Suspense.

Frustrated that Superman cannot find Lois and Horatio, he flies back to the inn hoping they would be there.  But before giving up his search for good, he spots a small fishing trawler that may provide more clues to Lois, Horatio, and the sea monster.  JR speaks on recent spocial media comments about the Superman radio series.

The Atterburys overhear the Coopers in what they believe is a violent argument.  Their suspicions are confirmed when Liz appears with a fresh black eye.  Commentary on the Rule of Three in Comedy that all the great comedies have used and still use to this day.

An informant notifies the LAPD about an extortion racket going on in the area by what victims claim is by a police officer.  Commentary on assailants who faked being the police in order to commit the the most heinous attacks.

Superman is now aware that Horatio and Lois are missing.  In the meantime, Barnaby decides at gunpoint to put them in the belly of that monster.  JR speaks on the uniqueness of Superman's Golden Age.

Lamont and Margo fly to an isolated valley and soon discover that the villagers act like zombies due to a mad man who rules over them. Commentary on the relevance of this episode's theme with Hitler's speech to the Reichstag on January 30, 1939-just 8 days after this broadcast.  We also pay tribute to Shadow announcer Ken Roberts.

Danny Kaye plays against his lighthearted type as a man who plots the murder of his rival to win his woman by creating the perfect alibi. JR speaks on the complex personality of Kaye as well as controversies in his life.

Lois and Horatio are in mortal danger after being discovered snooping in Barnaby's fishing shack by Ike Barnaby himself.  JR speaks on what listeners of the Superman radio show back in the 1940's said were their favorite serials.

After messing up a joke, bombing at bridge, and lousing up George's breakfast, Liz develops an inferiority complex. Commentary on the transition from this radio series to what became I Love Lucy and the initial challenges Lucy had including CBS approving Desi as her husband, why Lucy hated the show's sponsor, and real near catastrophes during filming that stayed in the show.

A mail truck of registered mail has been robbed with its crew of 3 severely beaten.  The only clue is a $20 bill left behind. Commentary on the LAPD's role in a federal case.  Plus guest actress Inge Jollos unique background.

As Lois and Horatio are safe once again from drowning at sea, they decide to do a little investigating on their own by targeting the fishing shack of Ike Barnaby.  JR speaks on Horatio F. Horn's return and whether the character was well received in the Superman storyline.

A married couple murder an elderly man for the money he has hidden in a pillowcase and now have to cover their tracks as investigators close in. Commentary on the great twisty reminiscent of The Twilight Zone. Plus, actors Santos Ortega and his one day of infamy and Elspeth Eric. Also, Paul McGrath officially takes over as our ghoulish host.

City officials make light of a convict's promise of revenge after his execution until those he promised to kill from beyond the grave wind up dead. Commentary on the love/hate relationships between comic book heroes and law enforcement, a returning Shadow actress in a guest role, and an unknown Richard Widmark who lent his voice to many minor characters in radio before hitting it big in his first leading role Kiss of Death in 1947.

An elderly woman hires a young, troubled drifter as a handyman only to find out that he may be deeply emotionally disturbed and dangerous.  JR speaks on stars Ethel Barrymore and Gene Kelly as well as the comparisons between Kelly and Frank Sinatra who performed this role a few years prior.

Horatio and Lois once again find themselves in mortal danger as the boat they're on catches fire from the strange monster…only this time Kent is with them.  He can save them, but how will he do so without giving up his secret identity?  JR comments on actress Joan Alexander, Lois Lane herself, who inherited $70 miilion before her death.

George gets a letter from the Army so Liz thinks he's been drafted. George, on the other hand thinks Liz is having a baby. Commentary on how one of the great radio episodes could have become a great television episode if they hadn't made one mistake.

A professional gambling ring has set up operations in the city and dozens of people are being victimized. Yet the gamblers keep on the move.  Commentary on The Edgar Allan Poe Awards in which Dragnet once is a recipient for Best Mystery.