CONTINUING the second season of ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN's outstanding array of episodes we have "The Big Squeeze". This is probably about as good example of how the common and everyday occurrences that happen in the seemingly dull and boring lives of the masses of the World may indeed have certain aspects of Heroism and the "Super" in them. This of course goes double for the folks leading these lives of "quiet desperation." In short, there are a lot of Supermen out there; even if they can't fly and see through anything but lead. (This is the one inability of Krypton's Last Son's exceptional eye power that plays a big part in the story, by the way.)
IN addition to the obvious circumstance that this is a Superman story, the emphasis is on the ordinary, the common man. In this case, we have a family man working hard at his job in order to give his family a better life. This alone is an overall fine theme; which is most befitting that 1950's post World War II period in the U.S.A.; as well as the rest of Civilization. After all, did not the adult generation of that time live through both the Great Depression, as well as The Second World War?*
ADDED to this drama, we add the element of an otherwise solid citizen, Dan Grayson (Hugh Beaumont); who has the specter of having done some time in the penal system, prior to his present, successful life. Dan is now up for consideration for the annual award from the Daily Planet as being "The Outstanding Citizen of Metropolis." It is at this time that some of the unsavory characters from his past come a calling into his life.
ABBRUPTLY showing up one day without prior notice, unannounced were some members of a gang of stick-up & second-story thugs. They demand Dan's cooperation in providing them with an "inside man" in order that they can knock over the fur company that Dan has so diligently worked for and managed to become a trusted employee. The proposition is simple. Either Dan Grayson goes along with them, or they will expose his past to the community.
GRAYSON'S dilemma is mainly that of keeping up the good name of his family and their feelings than for any of his own concerns. He tries to explain his old mistake to his son; who lacks the maturity to comprehend all that is given to him to assimilate. The heartache is very heavy at this point.
BEING blackmailed or not, Mr. Grayson flatly refuses to join in the criminal enterprise, and is kid-napped by the felonious mob and held in a cave with lead-lined walls. Alerted to the crime, Superman is unable to visually scour the hills and find his whereabouts; until one of the gang has a momentary gaff by cracking some walnuts. Dan Grayson uses his cunning to induce the one thug into doing so, thus allowing Superman not to see him via X-Ray Vision; but rather for the Man of Steel hear the cracking sound by way of his Super-Hearing. The sound was clearly audible and the rescue was complete, both the kidnapping was over and the Fur Company is kaput.
IN the end all is told and is out in the open, with Superman explaining that a man who is living a law abiding life; but had done something in the past, for which he has paid his debt to society is worthy of our trust, love and understanding. The message resonated well with not only Dan's Son, Tim (Brad Morrow); but also with all of us Baby Boomers watching then and all the kids who see the show today.
DAN Grayson receives his Daily Planet award; it being made all the more impressive because of his former life.
PURPOSELY designed to be a sort of TV Screen Morality Play, "The Big Squeeze" succeeds in getting its point across, without being neither heavy-handed nor too preachy. The story revisits an old, often forgotten adage. One should not only tell only the truth about someone; but should also not relate any happenings that could be harmful to another and not to judge one too harshly based on any rumor, story or hearsay.
"THE BIG SQUEEZE" certainly rates up near the top of the 100+ Superman TV Episodes for incorporating all of these elements into its 30 minutes (including the original Kellogg's Corn Flakes & Frosted Flakes commercials.
NOTE * Not to take anything from Tom Brokaw's book, THE GREATEST GENERATION; but we did make this observation about our own Parents and their compadres long, long ago.
POODLE SCHNITZ!! .
.
IN addition to the obvious circumstance that this is a Superman story, the emphasis is on the ordinary, the common man. In this case, we have a family man working hard at his job in order to give his family a better life. This alone is an overall fine theme; which is most befitting that 1950's post World War II period in the U.S.A.; as well as the rest of Civilization. After all, did not the adult generation of that time live through both the Great Depression, as well as The Second World War?*
ADDED to this drama, we add the element of an otherwise solid citizen, Dan Grayson (Hugh Beaumont); who has the specter of having done some time in the penal system, prior to his present, successful life. Dan is now up for consideration for the annual award from the Daily Planet as being "The Outstanding Citizen of Metropolis." It is at this time that some of the unsavory characters from his past come a calling into his life.
ABBRUPTLY showing up one day without prior notice, unannounced were some members of a gang of stick-up & second-story thugs. They demand Dan's cooperation in providing them with an "inside man" in order that they can knock over the fur company that Dan has so diligently worked for and managed to become a trusted employee. The proposition is simple. Either Dan Grayson goes along with them, or they will expose his past to the community.
GRAYSON'S dilemma is mainly that of keeping up the good name of his family and their feelings than for any of his own concerns. He tries to explain his old mistake to his son; who lacks the maturity to comprehend all that is given to him to assimilate. The heartache is very heavy at this point.
BEING blackmailed or not, Mr. Grayson flatly refuses to join in the criminal enterprise, and is kid-napped by the felonious mob and held in a cave with lead-lined walls. Alerted to the crime, Superman is unable to visually scour the hills and find his whereabouts; until one of the gang has a momentary gaff by cracking some walnuts. Dan Grayson uses his cunning to induce the one thug into doing so, thus allowing Superman not to see him via X-Ray Vision; but rather for the Man of Steel hear the cracking sound by way of his Super-Hearing. The sound was clearly audible and the rescue was complete, both the kidnapping was over and the Fur Company is kaput.
IN the end all is told and is out in the open, with Superman explaining that a man who is living a law abiding life; but had done something in the past, for which he has paid his debt to society is worthy of our trust, love and understanding. The message resonated well with not only Dan's Son, Tim (Brad Morrow); but also with all of us Baby Boomers watching then and all the kids who see the show today.
DAN Grayson receives his Daily Planet award; it being made all the more impressive because of his former life.
PURPOSELY designed to be a sort of TV Screen Morality Play, "The Big Squeeze" succeeds in getting its point across, without being neither heavy-handed nor too preachy. The story revisits an old, often forgotten adage. One should not only tell only the truth about someone; but should also not relate any happenings that could be harmful to another and not to judge one too harshly based on any rumor, story or hearsay.
"THE BIG SQUEEZE" certainly rates up near the top of the 100+ Superman TV Episodes for incorporating all of these elements into its 30 minutes (including the original Kellogg's Corn Flakes & Frosted Flakes commercials.
NOTE * Not to take anything from Tom Brokaw's book, THE GREATEST GENERATION; but we did make this observation about our own Parents and their compadres long, long ago.
POODLE SCHNITZ!! .
.