020 The 1953 Television Adventures of Superman Episode #20: Riddle of the Chinese Jade

By Charles A. Wagner January 30, 1953

John Greer and his reluctant accomplice Harry Wong plotted robbery in a café. Wong said he had gone through the tunnel, which connects his house with the curio shop across the street that morning. The “job” was slated for 3:00 P.M. the next day. “You’re sure there will be no trouble?” questioned Wong. “…Nobody will get hurt.” Wong had good reason to be concerned. The Cherry Street shop was owned by his fiancée’s uncle. He wanted his share of the theft as a dowry.

“Get a good night’s sleep. Stop worrying. It’ll be like taking candy from a baby,” said Greer. The next day, Lu Sung was letting Clark Kent and Lois Lane in on a scoop. He intended to give the priceless Kuan Yin jade figurine (goddess of peace) to a museum. “Isn’t she lovely, Mr. Kent?”

Lu Sung valued the piece at roughly half a million dollars. The three were on the second floor with Lily, who was wearing a really peculiar chest piece apparently designed to show off her breasts, when Harry threw a bomb, which vaguely resembled a wooden pineapple, into the main floor.

Clark, Lois, and Lu Sung left to investigate the disturbance, rather than calling the police, leaving Wong’s fiancée alone with the jade. Greer and Wong discovered Lily’s complicating presence and carried Lily and the jade back into the tunnel shortly before Inspector Henderson finally arrived at 55 Cherry Street with the bomb squad. Harry Wong then made his appearance, wearing really big pants, explaining he had been awakened by an explosion. The elderly shopkeeper introduced Clark to Wong, the

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store manager. Clark asked who could have been responsible for the blast. “This is a terrible thing. Who could have done it?” Lois discovered the niece was missing along with the jade figurine, but Clark was more interested in some bamboo dust on Wong’s shirt, powder that might have rubbed off the figurine. While Clark was wondering about the powder, Inspector Henderson jumped to a conclusion. “I’ll lay you ten to one the girl’s involved.” “You could be right at that.”

Lily Sung, who had recognized Harry Wong, recovered from her swoon to find herself captive of John Greer. Wong, obviously upset by the turn of events, asked Greer to pay him off immediately and when Greer would not produce the money. Wong wanted to return the jade and confess, having only agreed to participate in the robbery to get enough money to marry Lily. “It’s too late for that now, sonny boy.” Wong and Lily were soon knocked

out. Greer had no use for witnesses. Henderson was still maintaining to the elderly Lu Sung that Lily was involved. He was also angry that Kent had allowed Wong to wander off. Kent and Henderson decided to investigate Wong’s apartment, across the street #17, but, by now, the young lovers were in jeopardy. Wong and Lily had been left to drown in the tunnel by Greer who had no qualms about turning on the water main. In the apartment, Clark’s super vision revealed the tunnel filling with water. He excused himself. “I’ll be right back.” Meanwhile, the elderly Sung was telling Lois that Lily could not be possibly criminally involved when in walked Greer with the jade and a revolver and slugged Sung. He took Lois as a hostage. Instead of going down the tunnel entrance, Superman broke the pavement with his fist and jumped into the tunnel to rescue Wong and Lily. Back on the street, Superman became aware of Lois’ predicament. Greer warned Superman to stay back. He offered the police a deal—his freedom for the safe release of Lois and the jade. “Who’s the guy in the circus suit?” Greer asked Lois. (Apparently, he did not read the Daily Planet very thoroughly.) “He’s Superman.” “This time he’s not so super, is he?” “Wait and see…”

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The guy in the circus suit did not make deals with criminals. Superman ran off only to swoop down from the sky and rendered Greer unconscious with a super punch and grab the jade as it fell. Henderson questioned Wong. “You’ll testify against Greer, won’t you?” Wong was willing to do anything to make amends. Then, Henderson did something he had not done in twenty years. He did not arrest Harry Wong.

Lois and Lily gave Henderson a peck on the cheek. Clark entered and kidded Henderson. “Why, Inspector, What are you trying to do… become a Superman?” Clark winked. (Harry Wong had rationalized his involvement with the theft on the grounds the jade was really the inheritance of his fiancée and should not have been given to a museum. He also wanted to money to marry

Lily and move away.) (This episode of TAOS was adopted from the radio play “Riddle of the Chinese Jade,” February 11, 1949.) C Minus Comics & Stories All rights reserved 03/28/2016 Directed by Thomas Carr Written by Ben Peter Freeman Harry Wong…….Victor Sen Yung Lu Sung…………Paul E. Burns John Greer………James Craven Lily Sung………... Gloria Saunders