Radio Retropolis

Jimmy over hears a Morse code transmission from the next cabin from one of the passengers on the ship who seems to know quite a bit about where the ship will be at midnight.  Commentary on the importance, past and present, of the Morse code.

When we last checked in, Jimmy and Pug decided to sneak below and check out this mystery cargo which collapsed over Pug suffocating him.  Commentary on Clark's patriotism as well as Superman always needing to save Jimmy from certain death.  Plus, a warning about nitrates in our every day life.

A young man found hiding in a freight car in a deserted train yard who is holding the dead body of a woman refuses to talk. Commentary on the well executed one way dialogue given by Jack Webb in Act 1.  Plus, we look at the sadness of the episode and the real life connection in the death of actor Kristoff St. John.

With the saga of the treasure map officially over, Clark, Jimmy and Pug embark om a new ship headed for Metropolis.  But before they board, Clark has been given a stern warning that he should get off this ship for his own good.  Commentary  on Gallop Poll on this day regarding Americans position on war in Europe.

One man's hatred of another man whom he believes stole his woman becomes a torturous reality for the second man in a most hideous death ever planned. Commentary on how executions of being buried alive were carried out.  Plus we talk about Agnes Moorehead not being quite done yet with The Shadow.

As Jimmy and Pug climb aboard Carlos' fishing boat to steal back the treasure map, the boys find that time ran out for them as the boat disembarks for the island. Will they get the map and escape a horrible fate?  Will they just stay lost at sea?  Or will Superman save the day?

This special episode tells three tales of life and death in the city of Los Angeles one Fourth of July weekend.  Commentary on Webb pal Harry Bartell and an examination of why one crucial scene, in which Friday did not deliver, but Bartell's character did.  Also, why Stacy Harris, known for his aggressive roles, excels here as the father of the boy who was at the center of one story's tragedy.

Pug had grand illusions to steal the map from Kent as a gag.  But unbeknownst to him, others are planning to do the same thing at the same time which puts Pug's life in dire straits. Commentary on the derogatory term half breed used against the villain.

Lamont Cranston dies so that The Shadow can go undercover to battle a super-villain who has discovered his secret identity. Commentary on how the science fiction of yesterday became the science fact today as we learn a new power of the Shadow.  Plus,a look at the 1939 ratings and which show was number one.  We end with a salute to Agnes Moorehead in her final episode as Margo Lane.

Clark, Jimmy and young Pug prepare to head back to Metropolis by ship after their harrowing experience with the Clara M and the treasure map. But they are once again in serious danger when two nefarious fellows learn Kent has a valuable treasure map in his possession and make plans to steal it.  Pug also has plans which puts him in great danger.

An unidentified man is abducted from a downtown street where blood stains are found on the sidewalk. The abductors escaped in a gray sedan which turns up later also containing matching blood stains.  Commentary on Jack Webb's working style and the sci-fi icon who launched his career adapting real police stories into Dragnet scripts.

A vicious convict is released from jail and goes after the man who put him behind bars -- The Shadow.  Commentary on North and South Brother Islands in the East River by the Bronx as the source locations most likely used for this episode.   Plus we look at the raw brutality of the lead villain which we see more in this season as well as Agnes Moorehead not being available for this episode.