CONTINUIING THE TRADITION of the "B" Movie Detective series, as well as a strong infusion of Film Noir, this episode did manage to achieve a great deal of originality. This is especially true in a series such as ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, in which the Dual Identity & Super Powers combo tends to be the dominant element.
THE STORY IS one that could easily been done as a regular episode on several contemporary Detective series; such as MR & MRS NORTH, BOSTON BLACKIE or BIG TOWN. Perhaps, in this attribute is the rub concerning MYSTERY IN WAX.
THAT THE STORY opts for a high volume dose of realism may be the one factor that so many episodes of the SUPERMAN Show's first season had. That element which made many question if it was indeed not proper viewing for the younger set was its starkly brutal approach to its story telling. This concern precipitated a sort of overhaul of the series going into its second season; which many feel is its best.
WITH REGARD TO this episode in particular, MYSTERY IN WAX is quite possibly one of the more frightening entries in the entire run of all seasons. The reasons are elementary; if not exactly "simple". The whole ongoing mystery is the works of a criminally inclined Mad Women; who is a true sociopath, acting out what is essentially a serial crime pattern.
AND THAT, my dear Schultz, is all too common in our real world.
THE STORY IS one that could easily been done as a regular episode on several contemporary Detective series; such as MR & MRS NORTH, BOSTON BLACKIE or BIG TOWN. Perhaps, in this attribute is the rub concerning MYSTERY IN WAX.
THAT THE STORY opts for a high volume dose of realism may be the one factor that so many episodes of the SUPERMAN Show's first season had. That element which made many question if it was indeed not proper viewing for the younger set was its starkly brutal approach to its story telling. This concern precipitated a sort of overhaul of the series going into its second season; which many feel is its best.
WITH REGARD TO this episode in particular, MYSTERY IN WAX is quite possibly one of the more frightening entries in the entire run of all seasons. The reasons are elementary; if not exactly "simple". The whole ongoing mystery is the works of a criminally inclined Mad Women; who is a true sociopath, acting out what is essentially a serial crime pattern.
AND THAT, my dear Schultz, is all too common in our real world.