Tread Perilously is a podcast in which hosts Erik Amaya and author Justin Robinson watch the “worst” episodes of popular TV shows, attempting to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on the most off-key moments.

This Week: Adventures of Superman‘s “The Case of the Talkative Dummy”

Super June continues as Tread Perilously takes a look at “The Case of the Talkative Dummy,” the third episode of the 1950s Adventures of Superman series.

When Clark and Lois take Jimmy to a vaudeville show for his birthday, the ventriloquist act is foiled by someone offstage throwing their voice. Jimmy and Lois later realize the heckling was part of an elaborate scheme to heist armored cars around Metropolis. But who is throwing their voice? And are they part of an inside job at the security company? Clark convinces Inspector Henderson to give him time to put all the pieces together, but when Jimmy gets locked in a safe by the real criminal, it becomes a job for Superman.

Erik and Justin get lost discussing 1940s and ’50s dietary habits. They also doubt the mild-mannered quality of George Reeves’ Clark Kent. Erik tries to remember his post-Golden Age Superman lore and mostly fails. Justin ends up taken with first season Lois Lane actor Phyllis Coates. Erik re-imagines Superman and Loki as Tommy Wiseau. Jack Larson’s oddly old, but boyish, take on Jimmy Olsen leads to a lot of unfortunate implications. Justin presumes the Talkative Dummy would be something supernatural, and the International Brotherhood of Goons, Lackeys, and Gofers makes its debut.

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