076 TV’s 1956 Adventures of Superman Episode #76: The Deadly Rock By Charles A. Wagner June 2, 1956

Gloved hands placed a mysterious goldish rock into a small box and then into a satchel. Later, a United Airlines flight landed at the Metropolis airport, and Gary Allen called Clark Kent about the free dinner Kent owed him. Being busy, Clark had sent Jimmy Olsen to pick up Allen. But, Hall passed out as they were speaking and Clark Kent arriving shortly because he “knew a shortcut, before Jimmy.” But, Clark did not feel too good

either, though he denied it. Gary had returned from a plane crash in Africa, which had been caused by a certain asteroid. Meanwhile, a gibbering eccentric named Van Wick showed up at the baggage counter to pick up his flight bag which had been causing all the trouble. “Does it hurt you? No…,” he babbled, claiming his rock collection. He went on to say it only hurt one person in the whole world. The baggage handler shook his head. “Crazy…” A doctor who later examined Allen said it appeared that the patient had been exposed to a dangerous metal, but like no metal on earth... some sort of metallic radiation. Allen acknowledged his plane had crashed in Africa when it tangled with the debris from the asteroid Superman had saved the world from. (See Episode #38 “Panic in the Sky.” 1953.) Clark tied Allen’s weakness in with the heavy bag of rock specimens Van Wick had been carrying at the airport. Jimmy immediately jumped to the conclusion Kryptonite was the cause, but why would that affect Clark’s friend? And, did the little odd man know the nature of the collection…? Of course he did. At that very moment, Van Wick was paying a call on this episode’s notorious gangster Big Tom Rufus. Van Wick had previously extended an offer to the crook by letter. 2

An amateur astronomer, Van Wick had noticed Superman’s weakness and had been smart enough to notice a strange color in the spectrum the asteroid had given off. He had been lucky enough to find a tiny sample of the substance that looked like a chunk of anthracite. It could only hurt Superman,. But, no matter, Rufus said to keep the rock away from him. Van Wick said he had no money and Rufus offered his entire fortune of $10,000,000, or maybe it was $8,000,000, for a dead Superman. “Take him down to the Daily Planet building,” Rufus ordered his lackey Snorkel. Thinly disguised as a shoeshine boy, Van Wick poked his potentially dangerous rock at everyone in the hallway including Perry and Jimmy. When Gary Allen was offered a shine, he promptly collapsed and the two dragged him into the elevator. Meanwhile, Jimmy was consulting with Lois about Allen’s fainting spells and the danger Superman might be in. Jimmy had also talked to a cab driver who revealed Van Wick had visited the home of a certain racketeer. “Okay, let’s go!” said Lois who was not one to hold back from a chance at a scoop or an opportunity to risk her life. Luckily, Jimmy left a note for Clark who later made a mad dash to the store room. Rufus was having difficulty believing the unconscious Garry Allen was actually the man of steel. Superman, who had just landed but forced to remain outside because of the kryptonite, watched in horror as Allen was stabbed with a knitting needle which broke. Snorkel let go at Allen with his revolver, but the bullets bounced. “May I have my $8,000,000, please,” requested Van Wick who as all for leaving. But, Rufus said it was $1,000,000, when he got around to it. Then, the snooping Lois and Jimmy were brought in. “Where’s Superman?” “My dear young people, Mr. Allen is Superman.” Both were gagged and tied in chairs besides Allen, before Rufus set a time bomb which would turn the entire house into an inferno in five minutes. Van Wick objected to murder, but not too strenuously. “I wish I had never seen this deadly rock… this terrible rock.” 3

When the partners in crime had left, Superman desperately searched the nearby shed and came up with a flame throwing weed killer. After Jimmy kicked the kryptonite into the fireplace, the flame thrower made quick work of the kryptonite. (It went up like a marshmallow!!?) (Why didn’t he use his heat vision? Or, is it ineffective on Kryptonite.) “All right, kids?” Allen slowly recovered while Inspector Henderson’s crew rounded up the crooks. Superman explained that apparently, because of the accident, the kryptonite would eventually kill Allen, but made him impervious to bullets or anything else while he was under its influence. Clark returned for the wrap up. “Where’ve you been?” “Well, you might say I was looking for you (Allen)…” It was time for lunch. (Bob Foulk (1908-1989)., American television and film character actor was best known as Sheriff Miller in “Lassie.” A long list of television and film credit. 4

Roger Lowery (1913-1971). American, appeared in stage, motion pictures and stage. In more than 70 films including 1945 serial “Batman and Robin.”) (One uncredited, African American appeared in this episode as a porter. You might compare this episode to the comic story “Superman’s Last Hour” in Superman #92.)

Directed by Harry Gerstad Written by Jackson Gillis. WITH: 5

Gary Allen………………. Roger Lowery Van Wick………………… Steven Geary The Duchess……………... Lyn Thomas The Snorkel……………… Ric Roman Doctor……………………. Vincent G. Perry Big Tom Rufus…………. Bob Foulk Baggage handler………… Jim Hayward Hood……………………... Sid Melton