Tony runs a small diner down the street from the Daily Planet building. He likes to talk and claims he is a personal friend of Superman (he even has a rifle with a bent barrel which he attributes to his "friend." People from the Planet frequently eat lunch at his place. Tony is being extorted by a couple of bad guys. They come in the first of each week and take their protection pay. Tony keeps his mouth shut, but a large number of signed affidavits that are being kept at the newspaper. The two men and their boss plot to steal the affidavits and go after the store owners, but they need to distract Superman. Lois is out of town so they hatch a scheme to make it seem as if she is going to be kidnapped. Superman will respond and leave the door open for them. They set Tony up with the Lois Lane information and Clark, who is a regular, needs to figure out what is going on. There is a hilarious scene where Tony tries to record the thugs' conversation but a couple of kids come in and play swing music and dance, drowning out the conversation. The conclusion is pretty silly, but this is a fun episode nevertheless.
2 Reviews
We never need be so strict as to hurt the innocent; even if he's a full time B.S. Artist like "Superman's Friend".
redryan6430 March 2008
Following a very action filled, "adult", Film Noir oriented first season of 1952, the ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN had a little change of directions, a sort of "Course Correction"; if you will. Superman's behaviour in his first 26 TV Episodes was deemed to be a trifle too rowdy by some of the Television "Suits". Even though the show was Syndicated by a company called Motion Pictures For Televisions Incorporated, rather than being shown via one of the "Webs" (Show Biz slang for TV Networks—from Variety), it still commanded a lot of attention from Watchdog groups; such as the National Association Of Broadcasters, which attempted to do a little self-policing, making mild suggestions and twist some arms if viewed as being necessary.
As a concession to peaceful co-existence and voluntary compliance with a basically voluntary program; the SUPERMAN Show's Producers, National Comics Publications acquiesced and lightened things up; besides, it was good for business and also improved the series.
The corporate boys at Superman, Inc. (an alternative term for National Comics) went to their Bullpen and made a Pitching (series Producer) change. First season's Producer Robert Maxwell (who had done production of Radio Series including Mutual Radio Network's ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN with Bud Collyer) was "replaced". In his place, the job of Producer was Superman Comics Executive Editor, Whitney Ellsworth. The choice was an excellent one; as no one knew the characters, the storyline and the elemental essence of the Superman Comics Feature any better. So he would be in charge of bringing that to the Small-Screen, Electronic version.
That Superman owes his origins to the World of Science Fiction would seem to fly in the face of the budgetary constraints that were a necessary part life in Television Series production. Any super-scientific story lines, Outer Space, dealings with Alien Creatures and the like had already been cut to a minimum; though not totally eliminated. Superman's role as a Crime Fighter and Champion of the People took Center Stage.
In this 2nd Season, Superman no longer delivered such a hard punch. Why would he anyway? His Super-strength and steel-hard fists would only require a small"tap" to provide the desired effect. He was also careful in not crossing the line in his behaviour and attitude toward the bad guys. For example, in Season One's Episode, "The Stolen Costume", he literally kidnaps the criminal couple of "Ace" (Dan Seymour) and his Moll (Veda Ann Borg); leaving them in a Cabin up on top a frigid "Old Smokey".
In addition to a new gentility, the stories were reflective of one thing, other than 'Kryptonite', that Superman is not immune to. That is the human emotions of love, loneliness, loyalty, fear and compassion; which all affect us, Super Hero or not. The stories that year were varied and generally excellent entries. We were treated to the likes of: "Panic in the Sky" (generally considered to be the best episode of the series run), "Five Minutes to Doom" (saving an innocent Death Row prisoner), "The Defeat of Superman" (a near death experience with Kryptonite-synthetic yet!) and "Superman in Exile" (after saving Metropolis from a near Nuclear disaster, the Man of Steel must stay away from everyone due to his being radio-active!) Added to the above mentioned shows is another; which has been a favourite of ours for some years now (Decades actually)! It is titled "My Friend Superman." In it we have one rather braggadocios operator of a Diner, Tony (Tio Vuolo), an Italian immigrant. The Grill is located close to the Daily Planet and some regular customers are Lois, Clark and Jimmy. He is constantly filing his patrons with obvious malarkey about how Superman is his personal friend and he claims to get recipes right from the Man of Steel, himself.
AS the Hamburger joint has become a meeting place for some gangsters (including a young Paul Burke), Tony plants a tape recorder near the crooks booth' which he plans to playback any info for the Daily Planet staff. But alas, two "Teenagers" (Eddie Ryder and a very Young Ruta Lee) come in to play the Juke Box and do some of the silliest looking Teenie Boping you'll ever witness. The sound is overwhelming to the recording of the Hoods' plans; but when Tony plays it for Mr. Clark Kent over the telephone, his super-hearing deciphers the necessary audio and Superman zooms over to the Diner to arrest the Bad Guys; but only after the patrons, led by the seemingly omnipresent Ralph J. Sanford, pelt the gang with pies, soup, chili and whatever is handy.
IN the presence of all, Superman proclaims his friendship for the now sheepishly behaving Tony. The customers all are led to believe that he and Superman are truly bosom buddies.
Superman has imparted a little message about compassion for others and how a little kindness, while costing us absolutely nothing, can mean so much to another.
And we all deserve a break once and a while!
As a concession to peaceful co-existence and voluntary compliance with a basically voluntary program; the SUPERMAN Show's Producers, National Comics Publications acquiesced and lightened things up; besides, it was good for business and also improved the series.
The corporate boys at Superman, Inc. (an alternative term for National Comics) went to their Bullpen and made a Pitching (series Producer) change. First season's Producer Robert Maxwell (who had done production of Radio Series including Mutual Radio Network's ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN with Bud Collyer) was "replaced". In his place, the job of Producer was Superman Comics Executive Editor, Whitney Ellsworth. The choice was an excellent one; as no one knew the characters, the storyline and the elemental essence of the Superman Comics Feature any better. So he would be in charge of bringing that to the Small-Screen, Electronic version.
That Superman owes his origins to the World of Science Fiction would seem to fly in the face of the budgetary constraints that were a necessary part life in Television Series production. Any super-scientific story lines, Outer Space, dealings with Alien Creatures and the like had already been cut to a minimum; though not totally eliminated. Superman's role as a Crime Fighter and Champion of the People took Center Stage.
In this 2nd Season, Superman no longer delivered such a hard punch. Why would he anyway? His Super-strength and steel-hard fists would only require a small"tap" to provide the desired effect. He was also careful in not crossing the line in his behaviour and attitude toward the bad guys. For example, in Season One's Episode, "The Stolen Costume", he literally kidnaps the criminal couple of "Ace" (Dan Seymour) and his Moll (Veda Ann Borg); leaving them in a Cabin up on top a frigid "Old Smokey".
In addition to a new gentility, the stories were reflective of one thing, other than 'Kryptonite', that Superman is not immune to. That is the human emotions of love, loneliness, loyalty, fear and compassion; which all affect us, Super Hero or not. The stories that year were varied and generally excellent entries. We were treated to the likes of: "Panic in the Sky" (generally considered to be the best episode of the series run), "Five Minutes to Doom" (saving an innocent Death Row prisoner), "The Defeat of Superman" (a near death experience with Kryptonite-synthetic yet!) and "Superman in Exile" (after saving Metropolis from a near Nuclear disaster, the Man of Steel must stay away from everyone due to his being radio-active!) Added to the above mentioned shows is another; which has been a favourite of ours for some years now (Decades actually)! It is titled "My Friend Superman." In it we have one rather braggadocios operator of a Diner, Tony (Tio Vuolo), an Italian immigrant. The Grill is located close to the Daily Planet and some regular customers are Lois, Clark and Jimmy. He is constantly filing his patrons with obvious malarkey about how Superman is his personal friend and he claims to get recipes right from the Man of Steel, himself.
AS the Hamburger joint has become a meeting place for some gangsters (including a young Paul Burke), Tony plants a tape recorder near the crooks booth' which he plans to playback any info for the Daily Planet staff. But alas, two "Teenagers" (Eddie Ryder and a very Young Ruta Lee) come in to play the Juke Box and do some of the silliest looking Teenie Boping you'll ever witness. The sound is overwhelming to the recording of the Hoods' plans; but when Tony plays it for Mr. Clark Kent over the telephone, his super-hearing deciphers the necessary audio and Superman zooms over to the Diner to arrest the Bad Guys; but only after the patrons, led by the seemingly omnipresent Ralph J. Sanford, pelt the gang with pies, soup, chili and whatever is handy.
IN the presence of all, Superman proclaims his friendship for the now sheepishly behaving Tony. The customers all are led to believe that he and Superman are truly bosom buddies.
Superman has imparted a little message about compassion for others and how a little kindness, while costing us absolutely nothing, can mean so much to another.
And we all deserve a break once and a while!
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