Superman on Television

Adventures of Superman: Episode Reviews

Season 6 - Episode 11: "The Brainy Burro"

Original Broadcast Date: April 14, 1958

Writer: David Chantler

Director: George Reeves

Guest Cast:
Marc Cavell as Pepe
Mauritz Hugo as Tiger
Ken Mayer as Albert
Natividad Vacío as Inspector Tomeo
Edward Le Veque as El Pueblo Bank President Juan Luque
Sid Cassel as The Waiter

"The Brainy Burro"

Daily Planet reporters Lois Lane, Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen are in El Pueblo, Mexico. They are in a restaurant meeting a boy named Pepe. The lad has a rather unique pet - a burro named Carmelita who Pepe claims can read minds. The animal's power is tested when Clark is asked to think of how many times he's been in Mexico this year. Carmelita taps the floor thrice with her hoof. Lois thinks that she is mistaken because Clark only went once south of the border. However, Superman has been there for rescue efforts. To save his secret identity, Clark says that he traveled in two other moments about which Lois didn't know. In the meantime, Carmelita even guesses Jimmy's age correctly. The burro may very well be telepathic. This could lead to her and Pepe being involved in the most intense adventure of their lives with Superman.

Albert and Tiger, two criminals on the lamb, have witnessed Carmelita's demonstration for Lois, Clark and Jimmy. Albert is worried because Clark is a friend of Superman, the man responsible for putting the rest of Tiger's gang in prison. Tiger, however, has a plan to use Carmelita. If it succeeds, he and Albert could have a means of evading the Man of Steel for good.

Tiger and Albert have given Pepe two hundred pesos to do a private performance, which is really a bank robbery. Pepe refuses until the villains threaten to harm Carmelita. Plus, they make the young man believe that if he tells anyone, he will go to prison for being an accomplice, and his burro will meet a bad end. Both Pepe and Carmelita reluctantly help Tiger and Albert. Right and left hooves tap out the numbers of the vault combination like Morse code. Carmelita got this from the bound and gagged president's mind. She and Pepe make their exit as Albert and Tiger take all the money they need to escape to South America. Can the boy and his faithful pet live with themselves after helping to commit such a crime, and can anyone, even Superman, help them to clear their names?

The morning newspaper has the story of the theft of fifteen million pesos from the El Pueblo Bank. President and owner Juan Luque has no idea how the thieves got the combination. This troubles Clark greatly. He wishes to do something about it. Lois convinces him otherwise since she believes Superman is always getting him out of trouble. At that point, Jimmy arrives for breakfast in spite having eaten an hour ago. The trio of reporters then leaves to see Pepe and Carmelita. They needn't go far, for boy and burro have come to them. Pepe is in a hurry to go to Metropolis with Clark, Lois and Jimmy. This is odd because he expressed no interest in it when asked the night before. Clark tells Pepe that he must be patient. His papers will need to be in order, and Clark wants to investigate the bank heist further. Now, more than ever, Pepe feels like a fugitive from justice. Perhaps Clark Kent and Superman will be able to help the young man clear up any misunderstandings with the authorities.

In an effort to ask for help, Carmelita draws a Superman S-shield in the dirt. The symbol is near Clark, as Lois points out. He explains that he was thinking of the Man of Tomorrow as Carmelita read his mind. Before more can be discussed about Kent and Superman. El Pueblo Police Inspector Tomeo arrives to search the Daily Planet reporters' rooms. Everyone, especially Pepe, is worried. They are right to be that way as ten thousand of the stolen pesos was found in Clark's bungalow. Kent, however, cannot explain this. He has run away to change into Superman. Meanwhile, Lois and Jimmy have been arrested and placed in a cell with Juan Luque, who is also suspected of the crime. Superman will have to think fast if he is to get his friends out of prison and clear his mild mannered reporter alter ego's name without compromising his double identity.

As Superman and Inspector Tomeo discuss the evidence in the bank robbery case, Pepe and Carmelita are helping Lois and Jimmy escape from prison. The Burro pulls on a rope tied to the window's bars, allowing the wall to break. Jimmy, Lois and Juan Luque make their getaway with Pepe, who has confessed to being forced to help steal the money. Unfortunately, freedom is short-lived. Tiger and Albert have captured Lois Jimmy, Pepe and Luque. With Superman unaware of the danger to his friends, there may be no way for him to save them before they meet an unpleasant end.

Having been left behind by Albert and Tiger because she cannot talk, Carmelita has come to Superman and Inspector Tomeo. She alerts the Man of Steel in her own way that Lois, Jimmy, Luque and Pepe are in danger. The four captives are in a deadly trap. Having lit a natural gas main, Tiger and Albert intend to close a valve one mile up ahead. The resulting explosion from the pressure will kill Juan Luque, Pepe, Lois and Jimmy. Can Superman and Carmelita rescue their friends in time before they are burned to a crisp?

Carmelita has told Superman where to find their friends. Fire is close to reaching the captive group as the Man of Steel arrives. The powerful hero douses the flames and forces the gas pressure back to Tiger and Albert. Fearing being burned, the pair of criminals tries to run off, only to be knocked out by Superman. With everyone safe, Pepe and Carmelita are cleared of any wrongdoing. They are now ready for their trip to Metropolis. Clark Kent even makes a deal with the telepathic burro.

"If you won't tell anybody about that insignia with the S on it," Clark says to Carmelita, "I promise you that I won't tell any of my readers that you're the only bank robbing burro in the world. Deal?"

Carmelita nods her head.

"Thatta girl," Clark replies with a smile. With that, Carmelita concludes her adventure with Superman by winking at the audience.

Rating - 1 (out of 5): Marc Cavell is perhaps best known as Frankenstein in The Wild Angels, Gray Hawk in Pistols 'n' Petticoats and Rabbitt in Cool Hand Luke.

Mauritz Hugo played Ely Harrison in Alvarez Kelly and Baylen in Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe.

Ken Mayer had various parts in Gunsmoke, Death Valley Days and Bonanza. He was also the sergeant in Little Big Man starring Dustin Hoffman.

Natividad Vacío portrayed Ramon in The Man with Two Brains and Muchado in 1966's Castle of Evil.

Edward Le Veque had uncredited roles in It Started with a Kiss, Can-Can and Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood. He also once claimed to be the last survivor of the Keystone Kops.

Sid Cassel would also play a waiter in an episode of Perry Mason. He was also the first victim in 20 Million Miles to Earth.

"The Brainy Burro" marks the directorial debut of series star George Reeves. It's also the first time an actor from the main cast directed an episode of The Adventures of Superman.

"The Brainy Burro" is proof that there can be a stinker in what has been a great season so far. It's not as bad as "Mister Zero". However, it does leave one with the painful memories of the horrible fifth season. Quite frankly, I expected something better as the main actor's first outing in the director's chair.

Even though George Reeves seems to have fun working with animals, this seems to be the only real redeeming quality of "The Brainy Burro". The rest of the episode is pretty bad from start to finish. A burro that can read minds could have been a great concept if executed well. As it is now, the story is campy even for 1958 standards.

There is a plot hole that can hold the meteor of Kryptonite from Superman/Batman: Public Enemies in "The Brainy Burro". Just how the heck did the money get into Clark's room? We are led to assume that Tiger and Albert planted it there, but there is no line or scene to demonstrate this. If the two fugitives placed it there, how did they know where Clark was staying in El Pueblo? Were he, Lois and Jimmy in the only hotel in town? Why didn't Clark explain why he ran, i.e. make up a story to cover his secret identity? The entire framing was really dealt with in a ham fisted manner.

While Tiger and Albert do have potential as bad guys, they come across to the audience as stupid at times. I understand that they are fugitives, but they are idiotic to assume that Superman only covers Metropolis. Plus, nobody seems to notice them with a Mexican boy and a burro entering a bank at night. Granted, Carmelita's mental powers do put suspicion on the bank president. The rest of the criminals' plan throughout this episode looks more like Abbott and Costello Meet Superman.

David Chantler really dropped the ball with this one. Sure, we get another 'Superman working with animals' story, but it's paper thin and riddled with inept plot points and scenes that are painful to watch. Skip "The Brainy Burro" at all costs. If you don't, you'll wish for dental surgery without anesthetic. Hopefully, the next episode directed by George Reeves will be a lot better.

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