Superman on Television

Adventures of Superman: Episode Reviews

Season 2 - Episode 2: "The Big Squeeze"

Original Broadcast Date: September 21, 1953

Writer: David Chantler

Director: Thomas Carr

Guest Cast:
Hugh Beaumont as Dan Grayson
Aline Towne as Peg Grayson
Brad Morrow as Tim Grayson
John Kellogg as Luke Maynard
Ted Ryan as Al
Harry Cheshire as Mister Foster
Reed Howes as The Policeman

"The Big Squeeze"

Dan Grayson is a respected employee of the Metropolis Furriers, Incorporated who has done so much for the community. His boss Mr. Foster has given Grayson much praise as Clark Kent shows him a trophy meant for the Daily Planet's Citizen of the Year Award. The newspaper intends to give Grayson this honor.

Dan Grayson is in the fur storage in which he has worked for the past ten years when he receives a mysterious telephone call. It's from Luke Maynard, an extortionist with a habit of cracking walnuts. He wants confirmation of Grayson's identity without revealing himself to the prominent family man. Maynard clearly has some sinister plans for Dan Grayson.

As Clark and Mr. Foster are about to go talk to Dan, the emergency alarm for the storage vault goes off. Grayson was distracted by Maynard's phone call and accidentally locked himself inside the safe. Seeing that no assistance could possibly arrive before the moth killing gas does its job on Grayson, Clark becomes Superman. The Man of Steel rips the door from its hinges to free Dan. Even though it could take a few days to replace the door, the Daily Planet's Citizen of the Year is safe, but Luke Maynard's mysterious message may be a harbinger of trouble on the horizon.

Mr. Foster has sent Dan home early after the vault incident. He's about tell his wife Peg and son Tim about his day when the doorbell rings. It's Luke Maynard, and he wants Dan to pay him "insurance money". Otherwise, everyone will know the respected citizen's secret. Dan Grayson is an ex-convict who went to prison fifteen years ago.

A day or two has passed since Luke Maynard paid a visit to Dan Grayson. The Daily Planet staff is making preparations for their Citizen of the Year Award. Meanwhile, Maynard has come to talk to Grayson at the Metropolis Furriers. Instead of paying weekly insurance money like other ex-convicts, Grayson has to help him with a job - steal some of the furs in the vault. Otherwise, the people of Metropolis will know the truth about the Citizen of the Year. Worse yet, Dan's son Tim knows that his father was in prison. He had overheard Maynard blackmailing Dan, and the boy believes that this revelation could ruin his dad forever.

Tensions between Dan and Tim Grayson are increasing. However, this dos not show when Lois Lane and Clark Kent drop by to tell the family that Dan is the Daily Planet's Citizen of the Year. The first edition of the newspaper with this announcement is already on the streets. Fearing that this could further expose his checkered youth, Dan politely asks Lois and Clark to leave. Young Tim later is in Kent's office asking the mild mannered reporter to not tell people that his father was in jail. Clark swears to keep it a secret, but first, Dan Grayson must tell him everything. It may be the only way for both Clark Kent and Superman to help the respected member of the community.

When Dan Grayson was younger, he had borrowed a car that he was told belonged to a friend's brother. The vehicle had, in fact, been stolen and used by the same friend to commit armed burglary. Grayson was then sentenced to three years in prison. Now, Luke Maynard intends to expose this secret should Grayson refuse to help him steal some furs. Clark, now knowing the truth about Grayson, has a plan that can help the beloved family man. Grayson is to assist Maynard in order for Superman to trap the blackmailer even though it could be risky for the Citizen of the Year.

Grayson has given Maynard the key to turn off the furrier's alarm. Now, all that Dan must do is take care of the vault guard at midnight. Grayson later calls Clark with the details of Maynard's plan. Clark tells Dan to go straight home after work. Superman will do what is necessary to stop Luke Maynard.

Superman has arrived at the Metropolis Furriers, but he is too late. The night watchman was injured, and all the furs have been stolen. Dan Grayson's only alibi is that he was wandering around on the streets of Metropolis all night. However, everyone, even his own son, is suspicious of him. Only Lois and Clark believe in Dan, but that doesn't seem to be enough. Grayson intends to go after Luke Maynard on his own to prove that he is not a thief. Dan Grayson may be staring into the face of danger very soon.

While Metropolis Police Inspector Bill Henderson questions Lois and Clark, Jimmy Olsen follows Luke Maynard, who was just interrogated by Henderson. Maynard and his partner Al are heading for a mountain cave containing lead deposits that block Superman's X-ray vision. Maynard has hidden the stolen furs there. Little does Maynard realize that Dan Grayson is in the trunk of his car. The once respected member of the community has nothing to lose now. He's pointing a gun at Maynard in hopes that the racketeer will confess to his crimes. Unfortunately, he isn't fast enough to shoot. Maynard has captured Grayson. Plus, Al has discovered that Jimmy had been tailing them. The cub reporter is leaving to find Clark Kent, but he could be too late. Even the superhuman speed of Superman might not save Dan Grayson from certain death.

Though he tries not to show it, Luke Maynard is nervous about the possibility of Superman's arrival. He even cracks some walnuts, which brings the Man of Steel to Maynard's cavern hideout. The lead blocked Superman's superhuman eyes, but it didn't stop his hearing. The furs have been found, and the true thieves have been captured thanks to Dan Grayson and Superman.

The Daily Planet is about to give their Citizen of the Year Award to Dan Grayson. Thanks to Superman and Clark Kent, he is once again an honored member of the community. Grayson has been given a second chance to show he can make good after paying his debt to society all those years ago. Now, his wife Peg and son Tim can hold their head up high with pride when they speak of the patriarch of the Grayson family.

Rating - 4 (out of 5): Hugh Beaumont is best known for his role of family patriarch Ward Cleaver in the sitcom Leave it to Beaver. He also played detective Michael Shayne in five films from 1946-1947, including Murder is my Business.

Aline Towne is no stranger to science fiction fans. In addition to playing Lara in "Superman on Earth", she was Joan Gilbert in Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe and Carol Richards in The Invisible Monster.

Harry Cheshire has played various bit parts throughout his career. He can be spotted in It's a Wonderful Life as Building and Loan Board Member Doctor Campbell.

Look closely at the vault door after Superman rips it off its hinges. It is about to fall as the Man of Steel flies away. Seconds later, it is standing upright.

The story itself is a classic and very well done. However, there are moments when Hugh Beaumont is not very convincing in his performance. This is particularly true in the scene in which he tells Clark Kent of his past. Instead of being worried about his time in prison being exposed, it seems like Beaumont's heart isn't in his dialogue. Unlike Dabbs Greer in the previous episode, Beaumont's acting does not convey any of the sympathy that we should have for his character of Dan Grayson, and, as a result of that, there is hardly any tension when the furs get stolen and Clark is trying to prove his innocence.

Beaumont does make up for a lackluster job toward the end of this one when Maynard has him in the cave. Who knows? Maybe if he'd been given more time to get to know the Dan Grayson character, he could have acted better. Still, in spite of Beaumont's shortcomings in the middle of the tale, "The Big Squeeze" is yet another great effort thanks to the rest of the cast and crew. They do their best to smooth out the rough spots to gives us another strong entry in season two of The Adventures of Superman.

Back to the main TELEVISION page.