Adventures of Superman (TV Series) The Golden Vulture (1954) User Reviews

Humorous, enjoyable and interesting

[sssuperman-dot-com · 8/10 · 14 April 2016]

Many episodes of Season 2 of this show strike a good balance between being pretty silly, but still being well-done overall despite a few plot holes and not venturing into the over-the-top goofiness that tended to characterize the colored seasons. This is one of those episodes. Here we get a pretty entertaining story about a salvage ship that's up to some mischief, causing the Daily Planet to investigate.

All the actors brought their A-game, I think. Lois Lane manages to show a little bit more of her adventurousness and snarkiness, which was good to see considering sometimes it doesn't show up quite enough in Noel Neill's take on the character for my tastes. Jimmy Olsen is the goofy, lovable chap who does stupid things and makes funny comments. And of course, there's George Reeves' emotive and energetic performance as Clark Kent/Superman, which is a major reason I love this show so much in the first place. Perry White doesn't do a whole lot in this one, though. In addition to the regular cast, I certainly got a lot of enjoyment out of the hammy, over-the-top ship captain.

As for the story - of course there are some dumb plot holes, what do you expect from a show about a guy who fools everyone into thinking he's not Superman with a pair of glasses? It was still entertaining and they were trying something creative. I always like it when the action doesn't just take place in Metropolis, which is what we got here, of course.

I don't exactly get why Superman changed back into Clark Kent when he got to the ship, especially since I'm not sure how he could explain how he got there, but in all honesty, I can't say I mind; this plot point made the episode a lot more interesting, which includes setting up for a really hilarious ending!

Overall, I guess you can just say this is another great episode of my favorite season of my favorite TV show.

Jimmy's Fishing Trip Nets Big Catch & Desired "Scoop"

[redryan64 · 7/10 · 22 December 2014]

ONCE AGAIN, THE spotlight closes in on Cub Reoorter, Jimmy Olsen. This episode exploits "young" Olsen's sense of bravado, or as Editor Perry White would say, "stupidity".* The impetuous and head-strong youth had shown both promise and a strong dose of dumb luck in so many a story previously aired.

THIS EPISODE GAVE the production team a chance to bring the touch of the Pirate Genre to the series. Although the story is set in contemporary times (1950's), it has so many of the trappings of the Skull & Cross Bones movies. So much of this effect is due to the performance of veteran character Peter Whitney's performance. His characterization can only be classified as being either Ham, over the top or even "Camp".

BUT THIS IS no complaint on our part; as this is a necessary element of the story.

AFTER SOME FURTHER investigation by the Man of Steel, it is discovered that this ship is actually holding seamen against their will (in chains) and it is in the business of purveying counterfeit treasure artifacts!

NOW SCHULTZ, WE'VE heard of 'Floating Crap Games' before, but never before a floating Counterfitting Ring!

Who's Running the Ship?

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 5 February 2015]

There's this enormous salvage ship. It supposedly is picking up rare artifacts (dubloons, crowns, jewels, etc) when in reality, the people on board are making counterfeit artifacts. If they are talented enough to get away with this, why do they need to take their ship (which looks more like a destroyer than a salvage ship). Apparently, museums and private buyers are spending a fortune on this junk. What kind of museum curator would not be able to tell this stuff from real treasure. Jimmy and Lois, freelancing again, end up with a pirate with a black beard. Or, then again, he's not really a pirate. He's the nut case captain of this big ship which apparently runs itself. Jim and Lois are forced to sit in the Captain's cabin for hours, listening to him sing "Sixteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest" over and over and over. Eventually Clark/Superman figures out that the hapless duo are in trouble AGAIN! and must go to the rescue. Most of the scenes are ridiculous. After Clark is made to walk the plank (yes, you heard it right) Superman leaves him under water for about twenty minutes. Of course, he's not there but it doesn't do much to dissuade Lois's suspicions. Bad episode.

Interesting episode.

[wkozak221 · 7/10 · 20 October 2019]

I really don't like this episode. It really isn't funny. The characters are odd to say the least. George tries comedy. It doesn't work. He also seems to act really smug. It is interesting that Lois shows she may have feelings for Clark. Oh well.