Superman on Television

Adventures of Superman: Episode Reviews

Season 5 - Episode 4: "The Tomb of Zaharan"

Reviewed by: James Lantz

Original Broadcast Date: March 28, 1957

Writer: David Chantler

Director: George Blair

Guest Cast:
Ted Hecht as Abdul Ben Bay
Jack Reitzen as Alli Zing
Jack Kruschen as Omar
Gabe Mooradian as Dean
George Khoury as Prefecture of Police Captain Ali

"The Tomb of Zaharan"

The Secret Cult of Zaharan, an ancient eastern culture, goes back ten thousand years. Even to this day, survivors of the race believe in its superstitions. Abdul Ben Bay and Alli Zing, rumored members of the mysterious group, arrive in Metropolis in an hour as a final stop on their world tour. For the Daily Planet's anniversary edition, editor Perry White wants Lois Lane, Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen to get an exclusive interview, something the two men have previously refused from other newspapers and magazines.Believing that it will help her, Perry has given Lois a necklace with a scarab that is an ancient Zaharan relic. Perry borrowed the jewelry from Professor Waters' private collection. Little do he and his reporters realizes that the pendant that is now around Lois' neck is about to put her in the middle of one of the strangest adventures of her career.

Lois, Clark and Jimmy have arrived at the airport to find that they are not the only ones awaiting Abdul Ben Bay and Alli Zing, Two shady characters named Omar and Dean intend to rob the two men of the valuable jewels that they are wearing. According to Clark's X-ray vision, the pair of thieves are armed. Thinking there will be trouble, Clark leaves to check things out. In reality, he changes into Superman. Once Abdul and Zing arrive, the scarab necklace is taken from Lois' neck by one criminal as the other threatens Zing and Abdul. Crashing through the wall, Superman makes short work of him as his partner is arrested as per their plan. The alleged Zaharan cultists wish to thank the Man of Steel. As usual, our hero wants nothing for himself. He asks that Abdul and Zing grant Lois and Jimmy an interview. They agree to this, but they are surprised to see the scarab pendant on Lois after Clark Kent returns it to her. Zing and Abdul's reaction to it makes Clark somewhat suspicious. He can't help but wonder if something sinister involving the Secret Cult of Zaharan might put Lois in such grave peril that even Superman may not be able to rescue her.

Lois and Jimmy have agreed to go with Abdul and Zing to a secret excavation site after they go to their capital city of Beldad. Perhaps Clark Kent's intuition is right, for it seems the two men have been searching the world for something or someone that is connected to the scarab pendant. The followers of Zaharan are even willing to sacrifice Jimmy to get what they need from Lois. There may be no way for her and Jimmy to escape from the mysterious Cult of Zaharan if Superman cannot save them from something that could be the deadliest trap ever set for anyone.

Lois and Jimmy have promised to send a dispatch to Perry and Clark once they arrive in Beldad. However, Abdul and Zing have other plans. They have a man sending the message to the Daily Planet while they hold Lois and Jimmy at gunpoint. They believe Ms. Lane is Nefradias, the queen of Zaharan because she is wearing the Sacred Scarab Necklace. Five thousand and twenty-six years ago, Nefradias fell into a deep sleep in The Tomb of Zaharan. Thieves had stolen her from her resting place ten centuries later. The prophecies say that Nefradias would awaken after five millennia. That would mean she returned twenty-six years ago when Lois was born. Nefradias could be identified by the fact that she was wearing the scarab pendant. While both Abdul and Zing believe that Lois is their queen, it unclear what they intend to do. Whatever happens could prove to be very deadly for both Lois and Jimmy if Superman cannot get to them in time.

The dispatch from Lois and Jimmy has arrived. However, it is clear that they didn't write it. The message would have ended with a newspaper term if they had. Clark, more worried than ever, rushes out of the office in spite of Perry's orders not to leave. Now, Superman is flying at superhuman velocities to Beldad. Can he rescue his friends from the Secret Cult of Zaharan in time, or will Lois and Jimmy meet certain death at the hands of its zealots?

As Clark checks leads in both Metropolis and Beldad, Lois and Jimmy are being prepared for a ritual. They are dressed in the Zaharan cult's royal clothing. Afterwards, they will be closed in the queen's tomb without food, water and air as an incense burns. Its smoke is meant to bring Nefradias' memories back to her. However, it could very well kill Lois and a bound Jimmy should Superman not arrive to use every power at his disposal to get them out of yet another situation that could cost them their lives.

Guards and handmaidens have left The Tomb of Zaharan with Abdul and Zing as black smoke from the incense fills the chamber in which Jimmy and Lois are locked. Meanwhile, Prefecture of Police Captain Ali is helping Clark find the tomb's location, but time is of the essence. If Clark can't help Lois and Jimmy as Superman soon, they will suffocate within the walls of Zaharan. Can even the speed Superman possesses help him to rescue his friends before death's fingers clutch their throats?

The head of the local museum has told Ali and Clark the location of The Tomb of Zaharan. Ali takes a police airplane, but Clark has arranged for his own transportation in the form of Superman. He removes the stone door that barricades Lois and Jimmy with his great strength before carrying their unconscious forms into the fresh air. Now that they are safe, Lois and Jimmy will ride in Ali's craft to meet Clark Kent in Beldad. In the meantime, Abdul and Zing have come out of hiding. They believe that Nefradias moved the rock. Upon finding the Sacred Scarab Necklace that Lois had removed, the two Zaharan Cult members are hopeful that their queen will return in the centuries to come.

Clark, Lois and Jimmy have returned to the Daily Planet. The latter two are still in their Zaharan clothing. Before he and Lois are thrown out of the office, Jimmy has given an irritated Perry a copy of an Arabic newspaper knowing that the chief speaks the language. Perry, wanting some peace and quiet after Clark's asking about his foreign tongues, becomes more exasperated.

"Ibbidy dibbidy abda magaloo, which means, 'You get out of here,too'," Perry bellows. Once Clark leaves Perry cannot help but smile.

3Rating - 3 (out of 5): Ted Hecht has played various roles in Tarzan films and was Pinto Vorando in Rocky Jones, Space Ranger. However, he is no stranger to starring in projects featuring George Reeves. Hecht portrayed Doctor Jose Bardia in So Proudly We Hail!

Jack Reitzen will portray Philippe Gonzalez in season six's "Divide and Conquer".

Jack Kruschen acted in radio when he was in high school and he's played various characters of numerous ethnic backgrounds in film and television. Look for Kruschen as a boat captain in "Madame Ex", the season two opener of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.

Gabe Mooradian played Fred Fox in the 1958 sci-fi film Teenage Monster.

George Khoury will return in season six's "The Atomic Captive".

The TWA on the airplane taking Lois and Jimmy to the Temple of Zaharan is backwards in one scene. Superman's S is also reversed when he flies to Beldad.

It's aggravating in spots, and it's full of the same flaws that have run rampant throughout season five so far. However, "The Tomb of Zaharan" is somewhat better than the previous two episodes reviewed. There are even moments when it feels like the cast is actually having fun, which didn't seem to occur in much of what we've seen for the past three weeks or so.

There are some scenes that either unnecessary or exasperating in "The Tomb of Zaharan". I found Clark's typing with his eyes closed a pointless way to kill time without the X-ray vision special effect. Plus, I wanted to pull my hair out every time I heard Abdul Ben Bay and Alli Zing completing each other's phrases. It's okay one or two times, but it wears thin after a while.

Thol Simonson and the special effects crew have been really dropping the ball in this batch of episodes so far. There have been missed opportunities left and right to show Superman at his most super. I already mentioned the X-ray vision in the typing scene that opened the show, but I'm left to wonder about two things. First, why didn't Superman scan the area at superhuman speed for Lois and Jimmy with his X-ray vision instead of asking Captain Ali as Clark Kent? Granted, he could have asked for police assistance as the Man of Steel. However, he has powers and abilities beyond those of mortal men in his eyes as well as the rest of his body. Secondly, why didn't he inhale the poisonous incense when he rescued Lois and Jimmy? He's performed similar feats in previous outings. Simonson and company should have paid more attention to details like that.

As far as villains go, I found Abdul Ben Bay and Alli Zing, while a change of pace from the normal bad guys in the series, had moments of utter ridiculousness and outright irritation. They had potential and used it to do something beyond becoming the biggest crime boss in Metropolis, but some points throughout "The Tomb of Zaharan" make them look like a slapstick comedy team. Plus, how could Captain Ali miss taking them into custody if they appear after Superman, Lois and Jimmy leave the tomb? This is something David Chantler and/or Whitney Ellsworth should have thought about beforehand.

Aside from these flaws that stick out like a sore thumb, "The Tomb of Zaharan" is a fairly decent entry. It certainly is better than what we've seen so far from season five at this point in time. Plus, you get to see Noel Neill dressed like an Egyptian queen and looking gorgeous with some beautiful handmaidens. You won't see anything similar until Barbara Eden plays Jeannie. That alone makes this episode the most watchable of this particular year.



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