Review – Mystery in Wax The acting of the two guests, Mira McKinney (Madame Selena Dawn) and Lester Sharpe (Andrew Dawn) pulled off a macabre episode featuring sinister events, a noir effect in step with the movies immediately after the war. The over-playing of the wicked witch voice and the mannerisms worked as Madame Selena profited from her eccentricities at the expense of prominent citizens and a mouse of a husband. The interplay between Madame Selena and Lois Lane was precious at the table of her interview with Clark. Lois asking why Madame behaved the way she did, abducting five people, it was Henderson stating it was for the money, because of her predictions seemingly coming true, she raked in the profits for her little wax museum. Here is also proof again the recurring regulars, Reeves, Coates, Hamilton, and Shayne worked well together. The chemistry was there to carry off a plot such as witnessed, and recommended. The combined scenes at the Planet, the museum and the pier worked to keep the mystery there while Lois and Clark worked their investigative magic. The episodes with acting, not gimmicks, i.e. robots, dubious professors, etc. were the best, and Phyllis Coates was at her best in the role of Lois Lane.
10 Reviews
Hauntingly Disturbing
redryan6421 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
CONTINUIING THE TRADITION of the "B" Movie Detective series, as well as a strong infusion of Film Noir, this episode did manage to achieve a great deal of originality. This is especially true in a series such as ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, in which the Dual Identity & Super Powers combo tends to be the dominant element.
THE STORY IS one that could easily been done as a regular episode on several contemporary Detective series; such as MR & MRS NORTH, BOSTON BLACKIE or BIG TOWN. Perhaps, in this attribute is the rub concerning MYSTERY IN WAX.
THAT THE STORY opts for a high volume dose of realism may be the one factor that so many episodes of the SUPERMAN Show's first season had. That element which made many question if it was indeed not proper viewing for the younger set was its starkly brutal approach to its story telling. This concern precipitated a sort of overhaul of the series going into its second season; which many feel is its best.
WITH REGARD TO this episode in particular, MYSTERY IN WAX is quite possibly one of the more frightening entries in the entire run of all seasons. The reasons are elementary; if not exactly "simple". The whole ongoing mystery is the works of a criminally inclined Mad Women; who is a true sociopath, acting out what is essentially a serial crime pattern.
AND THAT, my dear Schultz, is all too common in our real world.
THE STORY IS one that could easily been done as a regular episode on several contemporary Detective series; such as MR & MRS NORTH, BOSTON BLACKIE or BIG TOWN. Perhaps, in this attribute is the rub concerning MYSTERY IN WAX.
THAT THE STORY opts for a high volume dose of realism may be the one factor that so many episodes of the SUPERMAN Show's first season had. That element which made many question if it was indeed not proper viewing for the younger set was its starkly brutal approach to its story telling. This concern precipitated a sort of overhaul of the series going into its second season; which many feel is its best.
WITH REGARD TO this episode in particular, MYSTERY IN WAX is quite possibly one of the more frightening entries in the entire run of all seasons. The reasons are elementary; if not exactly "simple". The whole ongoing mystery is the works of a criminally inclined Mad Women; who is a true sociopath, acting out what is essentially a serial crime pattern.
AND THAT, my dear Schultz, is all too common in our real world.
Great Episode
rorlando1716 February 2020
For some reason, no one notices that the wax figures have the recordings of the suicide victims telling their fate AFTER they have committed suicide. The first victims had vanished several years before the time frame of the episodes. How did get fresh clothing and food for tall that time?
"Hidden" DC Comics Books within this Episode!!
triassic425 May 2010
Great early Superman episode, but the most interesting item I discovered (never noticing it before after all of these years) was near the very end of the program. Look for the newsstand and notice that over the right shoulder of the newsstand dealer (which would be on the left top portion of your screen) the newsstand is loaded with DC Comics! The most prominent comic that I can definitely identify is BATMAN #66 (Aug-Sep). I am sure that there are quite a few others as well, but this issue was the most obvious to me (always having been one of my favorite Batman covers). You can clearly identify the cover with Batman & Robin dodging a huge toppling "Joker-faced" Totem Pole! So Cool!!! Any other covers will take time to peruse while freeze-framing this sequence. Just for fun and trivia!
Dark and frightening
sscheiber27 December 2014
Other reviewers may be correct that "most people" regard the second season as the best. For me, at its best the first season was better than any of the others. Part of it, of course, is the "40s" look of Lois Lane and that she was Clark's equal (if somewhat impulsive) as a reporter.
But there is an important distinction between the first season and what came later. The show was NOT billed as a children's show. In TV Guide, it read "Superman -- Adventure". Very much in keeping with the film noir B movies that were the previous haunts of Superman's writers. These shows stand the test of time.
But there is an important distinction between the first season and what came later. The show was NOT billed as a children's show. In TV Guide, it read "Superman -- Adventure". Very much in keeping with the film noir B movies that were the previous haunts of Superman's writers. These shows stand the test of time.
Bebe Glazer lives! (or will)
grizzledgeezer14 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The first season of "Adventures of Superman" remains one of the great TV series of this or any other era. (Why it hasn't been revived as a period piece is beyond my understanding.) It's dark, morbid, and just plain nasty -- not kiddie fare at all. "Mystery in Wax" follows the equally unwholesome "The Stolen Costume". Both are classics.
It appears that Madame Selena (Myra McKinney) has a true paranormal gift -- she can channel the yet-to-be-born Bebe Glazer (Harriet Sansom Harris)! When she goes nuts, she perfectly (and I mean perfectly) renders Bebe's voice, mannerisms, body movement, etc. This is a coincidence, of course, but you have to see it to believe it. It's uncanny.
If you've never seen the early B&W episodes, this is as good an episode to start with as any. Unreservedly recommended.
It appears that Madame Selena (Myra McKinney) has a true paranormal gift -- she can channel the yet-to-be-born Bebe Glazer (Harriet Sansom Harris)! When she goes nuts, she perfectly (and I mean perfectly) renders Bebe's voice, mannerisms, body movement, etc. This is a coincidence, of course, but you have to see it to believe it. It's uncanny.
If you've never seen the early B&W episodes, this is as good an episode to start with as any. Unreservedly recommended.
Mystery In Wax
rtususian20 December 2009
Yes, I love the first season of SUPERMAN the most and this particular episode Mystery In Wax is one of my favorites from the entire series. The first season was much more dramatic, had many more weird and violent plots than the subsequent seasons, and Mira McKinney as Madame Dawn was one of the most memorable villains in the entire series. I am also partial to Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane.
I always found it odd that the Adventures of Superman series did not use memorable villains like Superman Comics did, and they seemed much more non-descript than the Batman TV Series of the 1960s. The Batman series certainly knew how to utilize the villains that appeared in the comic books.
I always found it odd that the Adventures of Superman series did not use memorable villains like Superman Comics did, and they seemed much more non-descript than the Batman TV Series of the 1960s. The Batman series certainly knew how to utilize the villains that appeared in the comic books.
Pure Grand Guignol as "Sunset Blvd." Meets "House of Wax"
djfone17 March 2024
What a guilty pleasure this class in Overacting 101 is! Casting directors will tell actors doing their scenes (or "sides" in auditions) "Bigger! Bigger! Sell it!; I can always rein you in if I have to!".
Well, nobody reined in Myra McKinney as she chewed the scenery and spat it out as a deranged Norma Desmond operating a Vincent Price-like museum of real people turned plaster casts (or waxed) for her business's and her reputation's macabre benefit.
Also as in "Sunset Blvd." Madame Selena's milquetoast manservant Andrew (Lester Sharpe), like Erich Stroheim's Max, has a conscience and if fully aware, and afraid, of his woman's madness.
This is a truly well-written episode, economical and truly creepy, capturing with great suspense what happens to all of Madame's purported suicides after Clark questions the Inspector about recovery efforts for all of her victims' bodies.
Yet another Steve Carr sighting....but no acting credit! Just as Dialogue Coach again.
Well, nobody reined in Myra McKinney as she chewed the scenery and spat it out as a deranged Norma Desmond operating a Vincent Price-like museum of real people turned plaster casts (or waxed) for her business's and her reputation's macabre benefit.
Also as in "Sunset Blvd." Madame Selena's milquetoast manservant Andrew (Lester Sharpe), like Erich Stroheim's Max, has a conscience and if fully aware, and afraid, of his woman's madness.
This is a truly well-written episode, economical and truly creepy, capturing with great suspense what happens to all of Madame's purported suicides after Clark questions the Inspector about recovery efforts for all of her victims' bodies.
Yet another Steve Carr sighting....but no acting credit! Just as Dialogue Coach again.
A Death Sentence in Wax
Hitchcoc29 January 2015
Bad acting and a ludicrous plot. And lots of fun. The proprietor of a wax museum calls a group of people to her place, announcing that the figure being presented will be the next person to die. Three people have committed suicide after being presented this way. Eventually Perry White becomes the next in line. Lois, of course, gets her oar in and finds herself among a group that hasn't really committed suicide, but rather are being held in a subterranean prison. The woman overacts and rants (she is psychotic), doing her best "Plan Nine from Outer Space" impression. Not the best but typical of the short, quick little plot. By the way, if this lady was a real wax figure creator, she would be a master.
One of My Favorite Episodes!!!
ralsalongi27 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of my favorite episodes of the series!!!
The plot involved an insane wax museum owner (Madamme Selena) and her wimpy husband (who does anything his mad wife tell him to do). The woman seemed to have the power to predict peoples deaths. Clark Kent always suspected something was rotten here. When Perry White's Death is predicted and he disappears, Kent decides to investigate. Lois also decides to investigate by hiding in the museum after hours. She sneaks into the basement and finds White and three other men locked in cells. She tries to escape and call the police but is stopped by Selena and her husband who chloroform her and locks her in another cell.
Meanwhile, Kent and Inspector Henderson arrive at the museum to search the place. When Henderson leaves to look at their private quarters, Kent changes into Superman and crashes down the basement. When Salena sees the hatch open, she goes running. When she spots Superman trying to rescue the drugged Lois, she orders her husband to shoot the caped intruder. Superman quickly decks him, but Selena grabs the gun and tries to kill her captives. Superman throws her into the arms of Henderson kicking and screaming.
A great episode with a evil villain and a hilarious stooge to help her!!!
The plot involved an insane wax museum owner (Madamme Selena) and her wimpy husband (who does anything his mad wife tell him to do). The woman seemed to have the power to predict peoples deaths. Clark Kent always suspected something was rotten here. When Perry White's Death is predicted and he disappears, Kent decides to investigate. Lois also decides to investigate by hiding in the museum after hours. She sneaks into the basement and finds White and three other men locked in cells. She tries to escape and call the police but is stopped by Selena and her husband who chloroform her and locks her in another cell.
Meanwhile, Kent and Inspector Henderson arrive at the museum to search the place. When Henderson leaves to look at their private quarters, Kent changes into Superman and crashes down the basement. When Salena sees the hatch open, she goes running. When she spots Superman trying to rescue the drugged Lois, she orders her husband to shoot the caped intruder. Superman quickly decks him, but Selena grabs the gun and tries to kill her captives. Superman throws her into the arms of Henderson kicking and screaming.
A great episode with a evil villain and a hilarious stooge to help her!!!
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