Radio Retropolis

Kent, who fears that the Kryptonite he had guarded in a vault, will fall into the wrong hands now that he’s dead.  In order, to gain Perry and Lois’ support, Kent tells them how Superman came to earth.  Commentary on the various origins of Superman and how Kent addresses it here.  Plus, a rare clip from a lost Superman serial introducing Kryptonite for the first time.

Sergeant Friday goes undercover as a buyer of heroin from San Francisco to break up a narcotics gang.  Commentary on the similarities with this episode and The Big Red.  Plus, Lee Marvin makes a brief appearance which is capped here in an exclusive rare interview with actor Mitchell Ryan who talks of his and Marvin's alcoholism.

This is a very short two-part story that will lead to a much bigger serial going forward but one that thatches Superman into a brand-new era.  Tonight, Kent comes face to face with his greatest fear-Kryptonite! Commentary and footage from a rare lost serial in which Superman encounters Kryptonite for the first time.

A man runs off with a gangster’s wife to Havana and when she ends up murdered, he becomes the prime suspect.  Commentary on Cuba in 1944 and the beginnings of the revolution.  Plus writer Cornell Woolrich, actor Brian Donlevy and actress Lurene Tuttle.

A just released convict vows revenge on Lamont for putting him in prison and apparently murders the two most important people in his life.  Commentary on how this episode relates to an infamous episode of Dallas with Patrick Duffy and Larry Hagman.  Plus, the Carey Salt Magic Shadow Ring.

A man whose wife left him goes mad and decides to strangle her with the nylons he bought her.  But does he?  Commentary on why nylons were the luxury commodity of the time.  Plus, Santos Ortega and the time when his live television show was interrupted.

Last time, Robin was stopped by Dr. Bly as he was headed to the court to tell Kent they found Dixie which would clear Lois.  Across town, the jury reads the verdict.  Commentary on the next exciting stage in the Superman saga as he is about to face his greatest fear.

A woman is found murdered in a closet and the trail leads to a freighter in San Francisco.  Commentary on Peter Leeds, June Whitley and our host Hal Gibney.

Batman and Robin discovered the real identity of Dixie LaMarr, and they race against time to find her and clear Lois. Commentary on that nagging problem of changing from Bruce Wayne to Batman when you don't have the bat cave handy.

Writer Ben Hecht is invited to a dinner in which he will reveal the murderer and a story which he will use later for one of his short stories. Commentary on where this episode went wrong.  Plus, actor Fredric March.

A perfume chemist accidentally discovers a deadly gas while performing experiments which is then stolen by his distributor to terrorize other distributors into taking his counterfeit perfume.  Commentary on ozone being used as a deadly gas.

A man, who may have committed a couple of gruesome murders, is helped by his best friend in trying to get to the bottom of how and why these dead bodies show up.  Commentary on logic issues with the story and how one fix could have made this story even better.  Plus, star Larry Haines.

As Lois’ trial comes to end, the jury deliberates the verdict.  Commentary on the different versions of Batman through the years.

A movie director was killed at the studio when a 250 lb. stage lamp had fallen on him. Friday and Smith investigate to determine whether it was an accident or a murder.  Commentary on Dragnet's claim to using real crimes for their stories.  Plus, we look at films in which actual tragedies occurred during filming.

As Lois Lane was on trial for her life with no hope in sight, Kent has an epiphany that just might discover the truth!  Commentary on Kent knowing Dick Grayson is Robin.  Plus, keeping track of the secret identities.