Plot

In this final chapter of the Superman radio series' initial run, Clark Kent faces the deepening mystery involving Lois Lane's kidnapping and a ransom, leading him to question his sanity as the story unfolds.

In this chapter of the Superman radio show, Clark Kent finds himself entangled in a deepening mystery surrounding Lois Lane's apparent kidnapping. Lois claims she hasn't seen Clark for two days, even though he insists they spoke just thirty minutes earlier. As they try to unravel the mystery, Clark encounters disturbing details about a ransom and a strange house where Lois was supposedly held, which leads him to question his own sanity. Adam Graham notes that while the story builds suspense and confusion effectively, the ending feels anticlimactic. He also speculates on how modern audiences might react to the story's resolution and highlights that this broadcast, which aired on March 9, 1942, marks the end of the initial run of the Superman radio series.—J. Spurlin

In this chapter of the Superman radio show, Clark Kent faces one of the most perplexing mysteries of his career. The story opens with a dramatic introduction highlighting Superman's extraordinary abilities, contrasting them with his everyday identity as the mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent. The central conflict revolves around Lois Lane's apparent kidnapping and the strange events that follow.

The story gains momentum when Lois and Clark have a confusing conversation in the Daily Planet offices. Lois claims she hasn't seen Clark for two days, while Clark insists they spoke just half an hour earlier. Things take a bizarre turn when Lois admits she was kidnapped and forced to demand a $20,000 ransom over the phone. Despite recalling this ordeal, she maintains that she escaped only thirty minutes ago and could not have been at the Daily Planet during that time.

Clark, bewildered, struggles to reconcile Lois's story with his own vivid memories. The conversation hints at a deeper, perhaps psychological, mystery as Clark begins to question his own sanity. In an attempt to verify the timeline, Clark calls in Bill, a colleague, but Bill's uncertain recollection only deepens the confusion. Lois expresses concern that the kidnappers may still be at large, but Clark reveals that their boss, Mr. White, has already delivered the ransom to the address she provided. This revelation shocks Lois, who insists she would have been freed earlier if the ransom had been paid.

Determined to solve the mystery, Lois and Clark head to the address where she claims she was held. When they arrive, however, the house's interior has drastically changed from what Lois described. Clark recalls visiting the house earlier, where he was told it was a theatrical boarding house. On a second visit, an old man claiming to be a psychiatrist was present, with the entire house interior transformed. Despite these odd discrepancies, Lois and Clark remain convinced that the house holds the key to solving the mystery.

Upon entering the house again, they encounter Mr. White, who behaves as though nothing unusual has happened and denies knowing anything about the ransom or kidnapping. Clark becomes increasingly disoriented as the house no longer matches either of the previous descriptions. To make matters worse, Lois, who was with Clark moments earlier, suddenly disappears.

Clark confronts Mr. White about his alleged captivity and the $20,000 ransom, but Mr. White denies everything, claiming no memory of any phone calls or ransom payment. Growing desperate, Clark asks Mr. White to retrieve something that might help "straighten him out." As Mr. White leaves to get it, Clark reflects on the surreal situation, questioning if he is losing his grip on reality. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with Clark on the verge of a breakdown, as nothing in his experience seems to add up.

The conclusion to this elaborate mystery takes an unexpected turn when Clark discovers the entire ordeal was an elaborate prank. The strange characters at the boarding house, including the woman and Dr. Henrick, were all in on the ruse, which was designed to celebrate Clark's second anniversary at the Daily Planet. Lois and Mr. White reveal the truth: the unsolvable mystery was crafted as a tribute to Clark's success in solving real crimes. Though initially shocked, Clark takes the joke in stride, acknowledging how thoroughly he had been fooled.

The chapter wraps up with a lighthearted tone, as Clark is invited to cut a cake in celebration. He is praised for maintaining his composure throughout the ordeal, with the prank being compared to something that even Superman himself would struggle to handle. The serial ends with the familiar Superman outro, bringing this adventure to a close.

After the chapter, Adam Graham reflects on the somewhat anticlimactic resolution and speculates how modern audiences might react to it. He notes that the original broadcast, which aired on March 9, 1942, marked the conclusion of the initial run of the Superman radio show. However, Superman would return later that year with new adventures. Graham invites listeners to stay tuned for future installments, though some serials may be incomplete.