Retro OTRDiary 29 Superman 9 episodes from 1940. (retro579)

Picking up after our last OTRDiary, we join the next thrilling adventures with the man of steel. Keith keeps his comments short, but to add a little flavor of what life in 1940 was like, the Retrobots present a handful of songs that a listener may have heard over the airwaves when these episodes were on.

Dr. Dahlgren’s Atomic Beam 400226

With the Daily Planet building under a bomb threat, we find out about the atomic invention of Dr Dalgren, and the evil plot devised to steal it. Will Clark Kent learn how the stories are connected?

Atomic Fuel Cylinders Stolen 400228.

A show full of swings between good news, and bad news. Bomb threats, stolen machines, back up plans, and awkward moments for Clark. Can he pull off keeping is alter ego secret? Will he make any headway in catching up to the Yellow Mask?

Threat To The Daily Planet 400301
Sometimes titled: Yellow Mask Throws Lois Out Of a Plane.

The Yellow Mass seems to hold the upper hand. He has his atomic machine, the fuel cell, and he has Lois Lane as his captive. Clark has his hands full if he hopes to save both Lois and the Daily Planet. The whole time, Clark keeps trying to claim the man in the red and blue suit is a ridiculous myth.

Fire In The Sterling Building 400304
Sometimes titled: Girl Trapped.

With a tiny bit of closure from the story thus far, Mike, a Daily Planet photographer, tells about a girl trapped in a fire at the Sterling Tower building. We get our first hint that the cynical Lois might have the hots for Superman. This will be an easy rescue for Superman… right?

The Stabbing Of June Anderson 400306

Suspicions surrounding the girl, who is identified as JuneAnderson, has Clark on guard duty both as himself, and the mysterious flying man in the red and blue suit. Despite his diligence, June still gets stabbed while in the hospital.

The North Star Mining Company 400308
Sometimes titled: Junes Brothers Boat

Now alert, and ready to talk, June tells all to Clark Kent. Her attackers were the two top officers in the North Star Mining Company. What does she know about them? Clark follows up on clues, using his super strenght as the man of steel, and his super intellect as the mild mannered reporter.

Aboard The Steamship Madison 400311
Sometimes titled: Fire on the Steamship Madison.

The desperate owners of the North Star Mining Company sabotage the ship full of munitions. Will they recover the oil skin packet that June’s brother, Captain Anderson, has? Disaster looms, and Superman has a challenge on his hands to rescue passengers and crew.

The Plane To Canyon City 400313
Sometimes titled: Clark Falls from Airplane Wing.

Just when you thought there was closure to the story, the mystery of the North Star Mine takes a new turn. Superman puts his strength to use to strike terror in a house boy, and a new spin takes the mystery out West.

Left To Die 400315
Sometimes titled: Superman Saves June From Mine Explosion.

Clark evades the issue of the amazing rescue of the airplane. Flying man? What flying man? Later, June and her brother find their lives in danger, more explosive sabotage, and Superman once again has his ability tested. A measure of closure wraps up the episode, but how long can Clark keep passing off his identity of Superman as a ridiculous myth?

Bonus Tracks

In between the episodes, the Retrobots present:

  • Gene Krupa with vocals by Helen Ward 1938 I’m Feeling High and Happy.
  • Glenn Miller with Marion Hutton 1939 Hold Tight.
  • Will Bradley 1940 Beat Me Daddy 8 to the Bar.
  • Glenn Miller with Marion Hutton 1940 The Woodpecker Song.
  • Cab Calloway 1940 A Ghost of a Chance.
  • Jimmy Davis 1937 You Are My Sunshine.
  • Tex Ritter 1940 That’s What I Like About the West.
  • Lionel Hampton 1937 I’m in the Mood for Swing.
  • Glenn Miller and Marion Hutton 1940 You Got Me this Way.