Superman on Television

Adventures of Superman: Episode Reviews

Season 3 - Episode 8: "Clark Kent, Outlaw"

Original Broadcast Date: September 10, 1955

Writer: Leroy H. Zehren

Director: George Blair

Guest Cast:
John Doucette as Foster
Sid Tomack as Curtis
Tristram Coffin as Jason Stoddard
George Eldredge as Thomas Wyngate
Patrick O'Moore as Bennett
Lyn Thomas as Ann Millan

"Clark Kent, Outlaw"

Foster and Curtis are key members in a gang responsible for the disappearance of some very important people in Metropolis. They are currently in a shootout with Inspector Bill Henderson and the police force. Daily Planet editor Perry White and reporter Clark Kent are on the scene to get the story for the city's greatest newspaper. Things seem intense until tear gas is thrown into the shack where the criminals are holed up. Foster turns himself over to the authorities, but Curtis refuses to give up so easily. As Henderson's men continue to fire at Curtis, Foster plants some money in the glove compartment of Clark's car. Meanwhile, Curtis lights a stick of dynamite. Kent rushes to change into Superman. The Man of Steel takes the brunt of the explosion before pushing Curtis out of the cabin. Curtis is finally in custody, but things are getting more complicated for both Superman and Clark Kent. Curtis and Foster are accusing Kent of helping them in their crime wave. Worse yet, cash has been found in his automobile. Clark's own words describe the situation perfectly.

"It doesn't look very good for me, does it?"

Both Perry and Inspector Henderson believe that Clark is innocent. In spite of this, Clark has a plan. Perry is to fire him, and Henderson is to make sure that Curtis and Foster are able be bailed out of prison. Both men do what they must. However, Clark has the most difficult job. He must make Foster and Curtis believe that their framing him has made it impossible for him to get legitimate work. If he succeeds, he can infiltrate their gang and discover the identity of its leader. If he fails, Superman may have his work cut out for him.

Clark has been "convinced" by Curtis and Foster to work with them. He's even shown them that he's an expert safe cracker. It's only a matter of time before Clark can meet the head of the gang. First, he must prove himself to Foster and Curtis during their next job involving wholesale jeweler Thomas Wyngate in an hour. Everything Kent has planned depends on his success now more than ever.

Thomas Wyngate has received a telephone call that his jewelry store has been robbed. It was actually from Curtis, who, along with Foster, has knocked out the shop owner in front of his home. It looks like the gangsters have succeeded in their evil plot against another Metropolis business man.

Wyngate has awakened in the hospital. He is being questioned by F.B.I. Agent Jason Stoddard. He has been looking for some jewel thieves. Stoddard caught up with them. However, they got away. Fortunately, Mister Wyngate had been saved. After a phone call from his superior, Stoddard asks about a shipment of uncut diamonds from South Africa. Wyngate has them in the safe in the hall closet of his home. His wife is the only one that knows the combination, but she's out of town. Stoddard has promised to have a man guard the gems before leaving the room. What Thomas Wyngate does not realize is that Jason Stoddard is the leader of the band of criminals responsible for the disappearances of various Metropolis businessmen. Wyngate and many others will be in great danger if Superman does not act soon.

Clark has met Stoddard. He must earn his trust by stealing the diamonds from Wyngate's home. As Clark and Curtis leave to do the job, reporters Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen are caught. They are hoping to make Kent go straight. Lois and Jimmy are now Stoddard's hostages and insurance that Clark commits the theft of the gems. If he doesn't follow Stoddard's orders, or if the police are alerted, Jimmy and Lois will pay the ultimate price with their lives.

Time is of the essence, but Clark has a plan. As Curtis stays with Stoddard and Foster to guard Lois and Jimmy, Kent changes into Superman and flies at great speed to the Empire Diamond Mines. The Man of Steel asks to borrow nine hundred carats of uncut diamonds. Unfortunately, Mister Bennett, the company's overseer, has already shipped all the stones that were unearthed yesterday. Not one to be discouraged, Superman digs for them himself with the aid of his super strength and vision. The precious gems are now in his hands, and the Last Son of Krypton is one step closer to rescuing Lois and Jimmy from the evil clutches of Stoddard and his gang.

Clark Kent brings the diamonds to Stoddard, but the criminal wants further proof of the "former" reporter's loyalty. Before the gang leaves Metropolis, Kent and Curtis are to go elsewhere to eliminate Jimmy and Lois. Will Superman be able to sacrifice his own friends in order to put an end to Jason Stoddard's crime wave?

Clark has decided to go to the Daily Planet to deal with Lois and Jimmy. He also tells Curtis that he wants to get even with Perry White for firing him. Jimmy and Lois are bound and gagged behind one another in the editor's office as Curtis and Clark burn some papers on a chair. By the time the flames spread, Clark and his new "ally" can establish an alibi. Clark seems to have convinced Curtis that he's part of the gang, but he'll need to work fast if he is to save Lois and Jimmy as Superman.

Clark and Curtis have returned to Stoddard. Curtis has been praising Kent's plan. Stoddard, however, seems unimpressed. He's more interested in his newest victim - Perry White. Believing the criminal was an agent for the F.B.I., the chief has told him of Clark's plan to infiltrate the gang. In addition to that, a burglar alarm was activated at the Planet, allowing Lois and Jimmy to be rescued by the police. Now, with both Perry and Clark as their prisoners, Stoddard's gang may even defeat Superman before he can stop them.

Perry and Clark have been forced to take sleeping pills. This allows Clark to have more freedom as Superman after Stoddard, Curtis and Foster leave to make their getaway. The Metropolis Marvel holds onto their car as they attempt to drive to parts unknown. Three Judo chops make short work of the gangsters. The police arrive with Lois and Jimmy in time to put Stoddard and his men behind bars. Another band of criminals has been brought to justice thanks to Superman.

Jimmy and Lois enter Stoddard's hideout to awaken Perry and Clark. They tell about Superman stopping Stoddard and ask about the flames Clark lit in the editor's office. The chair set ablaze was actually fire proof. There was really very little danger to Lois and Jimmy's lives. However, they cannot help but wonder what would have happened if something had gone wrong.

"Well, in that case," Clark says, "I guess Superman would have to show up in time as usual."

Rating - 4 (out of 5): John Doucette makes his final appearance in The Adventures of Superman. Look for him as Lt. Jim Weston in the series Lock-Up and Captain Aaron William Andrews in twenty episodes of The Partners.

Sid Tomack returns to The Adventures of Superman for his third episode this time. He'll be back in season four's "Blackmail".

Tristram Coffin can be seen in "Stamp Day For Superman" and season one's "The Case of the Talkative Dummy" and "Mystery of the Broken Statues". He'll return in year five's "Whatever Goes Up".

George Eldredge co-starred with Tristram Coffin in the Bela Lugosi film The Corpse Vanishes. He'll return for season six's "All That Glitters", which will be directed by George Reeves.

Patrick O'Moore has had roles in such films as 1943's Sahara and 1972's The Mechanic starring Charles Bronson. This was his only episode in The Adventures of Superman.

Lyn Thomas was in year two's "The Man in the Lead Mask". She'll return for season four's "The Deadly Rock".

There is a moment in this episode when Clark refers to Stoddard as Mister Jason. This is either a blooper, or Stoddard is a possible alias that Clark discovered in a moment the audience doesn't see.

During Superman's final take-off in this episode, the springboard George Reeves used can be heard even if it is not visible in the scene.

This episode is adapted from the story "Clark Kent, Outlaw" that appeared in Superman #98, cover dated July 1955.

Leroy H. Zehren gave us "Test of a Warrior," which happens to be one of the worst episodes I had ever seen in the third season. While Zehren does make up for that with "Clark Kent, Outlaw", it is not without its flaws.

"Clark Kent, Outlaw" does merit a five, but certain things kind of stick out like a sore thumb. Okay, some important people in Metropolis have disappeared, and Stoddard is posing as an F.B.I agent to get information from them in order to commit a crime. That's all well and good. However, one would think that in addition to trying to get the gang, Inspector Henderson and the police would try to guard other businessmen before they also became victims. Had an officer watched over Perry White or other targets, it could have added some more adventure and tension to the finished product.

Much like Star Trek: Nemesis does with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, "Clark Kent, Outlaw" borrows heavily from elements used in the first year's "The Secret of Superman". This leaves the audience to ask, "Haven't we seen this before?" Everything works for the story. Certain parts just feel recycled.

Tristram Coffin is a little rough in certain scenes, but he does well in his role of Jason Stoddard. I really wish he would have been used more in The Adventures of Superman. He would have been perfect as series regular villain.

In spite of its imperfections, "Clark Kent, Outlaw" is an exciting entry in season three. Top notch acting and a good story make up for the problems in the episode. It's fairly basic, but you will most likely enjoy the final product once you see it.

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