User Reviews

This episode ran about midway through the first season. It is one of those rare episodes that doesn't feature any of the other series regulars. Lois Lane is missing, as is Jimmy, Perry and Inspector Henderson. Frank Jenks (who appeared in many episodes over the years) co stars as Clark's friend, private investigator Candy Meyers. One of the classic episodes and a personal favorite, though the quality of the print is easily the worst of the first season DVD collection. Nearly all other episodes on the DVD were in near-perfect condition, but this was a terrible copy.. almost as if it came from a 16mm TV print (much-used TV print, I might add). It also has a rather weird opening with a truncated opening theme and Bill Kennedy's voice announcing, "Superman" as the title appears on the screen. In addition the normally seamless transitions (in season 1 only) from the opening theme to the episode title is disjointed. It's the only episode I've ever seen with this strange opening. Other than the quality of this episode on the DVD, it is one of the best. It also contains an audio commentary by Gary Grossman, who authored the book "Cereal to Serial". In the commentary Gary asks the question "why is Superman's costume in the closet instead of under Clark's suit?"... The reason is explained in the dialog... Clark has just returned from the Doctor's office, where he had a physical (the Daily Planet had a new medical insurance plan which required the physical). Plus, in the season 2 episode "Panic In The Sky" it showed more than one Superman costume in Clark's secret closet (although this is contrary to the pilot episode's explanation of the costume, but continuity was always a problem with the series).

Review – The Stolen Costume I liked this episode with limited characters and none of the recurring regulars, but a good story, enough believable intrigue and Superman action throughout. The cast is near-perfect for their roles matching the stereo-typical PI with the crooks including the lingo. The lines delivered by the girlfriend Connie are priceless making the story worth watching for certain. A surprise ending coupled with a happy Clark at the end made the limited scenery acceptable with two different apartments along with the finale. What could be described as making the most of the situation with exceptional acting and limited venues. The pace moves the characters along at relative rapid fashion where each encounter is met with a solution and another puzzle until the end.

There is some real uniqueness in this episode. First of all, there is the sheer stupidity of Superman leaving the very essence of his identity, hanging in a closet where anyone could find it. One the cat burglar gets his hands on it and puts it in the hands of a two bit hood and his girlfriend, the options are incredibly narrowed. Clark/Superman must trust a private detective to help him find the suit without telling him what he is looking for. In modern times he might wonder if the guy has child pornography. Anyway, the people try to extort Clark Kent, even going so far as to test his being by putting a bomb in his apartment. Of course, greed and stupidity always come to the fore and there is a final confrontation. The things that are interesting are the absolute panic of Clark as he paces the floor and desperately tries to come up with a plan. The other has to do with the conclusion, where Superman does something so harsh that he becomes something we never imagined. Certainly, this episode could be seen as quite controversial.

OK, my first sentence is a spoiler, so avert your eyes now while you have the chance.

This is the infamous episode where Superman is "responsible" for someone's death. These crooks somehow stole Superman's costume from Clark Kent's apartment. In the end, Superman, more perturbed than he usually is with crooks, takes them up in the mountains so they won't tell anyone about his secret identity. You almost feel sorry for the crooks--one being your typical noir-style femme-fatale--when they ask "what are you going to do with us?" And Superman says, "I haven't figured that out yet." So, he leaves them up there. It is freezing, snowing. They decide to try and climb down the mountain...and they fall to their death.

Superman, guilty of kidnapping and reckless endangerment!!!!!

This episode apparently caused quite a stink, eventually leading to a major overhaul of tone the following season. They dropped the noir-style lighting and outrageously great music and turned the program completely into a kid's show. This was a truly unique episode from what in my opinion is the best year from the entire series.

*Spoiler Alert*

I agree with most of the other comments on this episode and I won't go deeply into the plot since you can see it in the other reviews. I do recall seeing this episode when I was a little kid and I can tell you it didn't bother me at the time. I suppose back then (early 60s) we saw harsh justice all the time on TV so we wouldn't consider the episode to be dark. The Untouchables, the Rifleman, Gunsmoke, Peter Gunn, all of those shows had heroes who'd kill the bad guys pretty handily and they didn't even show that the bad guys were so bad they deserved to die. In this Superman episode, Superman didn't actually kill the couple but he basically Batman-planned their demise because he knew what they we're going to do since it was in their nature to do it. It could be argued that their expectation that he would behave the way they would if the shoe was on the other foot is what led to their demise. Considering what Ace almost did to Candy, that may have also led Clark to do what he did to them. Looking at it now, though, it is a bit troubling that he seems happy that they're gone for good, especially for that period of time when decent men were supposed to be protective of women. He could have taken them to a deserted island and accomplished the same thing without endangering their lives.

Despite that, the acting in this episode was great and fit the noir character of the first season. You felt bad for Superman and could understand his concern that his life as Clark Kent could be over. All four of the primary actors were superb.

This is one of those moments in TV history that will really grab you and pull you to the edge of your seat as you watch patiently, biting your nails, grinding your teeth, and awaiting the chilling conclusion. This episode was about as important in Superman history as an unpublished story written for the comics in 1940 called "The K-Metal From Krypton", which would have introduced an early form of Kryptonite and Superman revealing his identity to Lois Lane. Fortunately that story was never published, but this episode aired, and as stated by Gary Grossman on the Season 1 DVD, became one of the most requested episodes in the show's history. The fact that it was filmed in black-and-white adds to the drama and thickens the plot as Clark Kent has to make an very important decision; recover the suit and reveal his identity, or watch Metropolis get taken over (unopposed) by a gang of ruthless criminals. This is by far my favorite episode in the series. Despite the fact it survives in terrible condition, we have full-run DVD seasons to thank for our further enjoyment of this and other exciting episodes in the ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN!

I agree with the other comments, that this episode stands out from the others. The fact that Superman's costume has been stolen and he can't tell Candy what has been stolen, but yet wants him to find it...unlike the later episodes which have a more cartoonish feel, this is real drama, as we sympathize with Clark Kent, who is scared, anxious, and frantic over the theft of his costume, which without, he can no longer be Superman. Everything in this episode really clicks...great acting ,directing, and most of all a great script by Ben Peter Freeman. (To me, it was the solid scripts of season one that make it by far the best season of the series.) Yes, the episode stands out too, for the ending, in which the bad guys fall to their deaths from a mountain top. Clearly, Superman is relieved that their deaths took care of his problem. But to say he was responsible for their deaths, and therefore "un-Supermanlike, is a stretch. To me this was an asset as once again it showed that Superman had his own anxieties, unique to him.

One was incorrect. The person who gave it one star was wrong it wasn't two men on the mountain it was a man and woman. That goes to show you never watched it. To the other comments, you all left out the part that Superman stated he was coming back with food etc. That they were to stay in the cabin. Which they never tried. Superman had the rep of not lying and he could have killed them and didn't. So why think he wasn't coming back. So they killed themselves. One person questioned why on a snow covered mountain instead of a deserted island. I bet the writers were trying to imply this was near Superman's fortress of solitude. When I was a kid early '60s that's what I thought.

the stolen costume what a great episode. If you're reading this Mr Grossman great commentary on the first season boxset love the scene in Clark Kent's apartment when he presses the button to open the closet and his Superman costume is not there. great dialogue as when the detective says to Clark you hiding the family jewel and Clark No something more valuable.

what i like about this episode is that Clark can't tell the detective what he's looking for and also what's been stolen. Clark can't say oh my Superman costume has been stolen because that would give away his secret identity. And we wouldn't want that would we? I think there is an episode of the first season where through truth drugs the identity of Superman is mentioned. I think it's the episode The Secret Of Superman which i have reviewed. But i love it at the end when Superman finds the people that have stolen his costume and he just leaves them on top of this icy plateau because he dosen't know what to do with them so he leaves them there and then they suddenly fall to their deaths. yes great episode. one of my favourite episodes of season 1.

I was playing with G.I. Joe figures in Georgie's backyard at the tender age of nine. I attached a parachute to the figure and threw the object high in the sky and watched the pleated parachute open as the toy figure dangled underneath and land smoothly toward the ground. I repeated the act a few times more but on the last attempt I accidentally threw my G. I. Joe over the hedges in to the Burnhardt's backyard. The Burnhardt's were not very approachable. They were very Aryan and hostile. I could see my G.I. Joe lying there in their backyard lawn. It was impossible to climb into their yard because of the high hedges and spiked fence. The next morning I went back to Georgie's yard to check if my figure was still there. It wasn't. The Burnhardt's have it in their possession or maybe they threw the figure out. How was I going to ask for my figure back? How? Extraordinary, astonishing and downright bizarre all fit under this episode of The Adventures of Superman. This first season episode is not cast in the familiar mold of the series but strays off in a different direction. First off, no supporting regulars in this tale. No Perry, Lois , Jimmie or even the Inspector are anywhere to be found. Our story begins with a two bit cat burglar using a rope, lowers himself into the Standish Arms apartments and into Clark Kent's Apartment. Accidentally hits a button on the wall and a secret closet opens with a Superman Costume inside. Only One. When I first saw this episode I figured Clark was wearing another costume. Shots fire from the authorities and hit our burglar who's stumbles down to the street and heads to two crooks Ace, the robust (Dan Seymour) and his high heeled partner Connie, (Veda Ann Borg). Meanwhile back at the apartment a startled Clark Kent (George Reeves) opens his closet to barren hangers. Frantic Clark immediately calls his personal Private Eye, Candy (Frank Jenks) to come over. Ironic how Clark tries to tell the befuddles detective that he had something stolen but Clark can't tell him what the item is. This will definitely jeopardize Clark Kent's real Identity as the Man Of Steel. Our Cat burglar dies but leaves little information as an identity mix up leads our crooks to Candy thinking he's Superman. Funny moment in this noir type story when Clark has to rescue his friend and starts to undress , oops!! Clark breaks down the door and punches Candy first . Then whisks off the two crooks to a remote location in either Canada or Alaska. A couple of questions come to mind. Superman flew those two in freezing temperatures a long way together. Can't picture that . Also earlier Kent had a company physical no blood test required or his urine sample would contain different molecules? Finally as the two crooks are stranded on an icy mountain top they decide to ascend and Connie's high heels slide into Ace as they fall to their deaths. Never get tired of this episode but Superman is responsible for their deaths. Meanwhile I worked up the courage to ask for my figure back. But before I opened my mouth Mrs. Burnhardt gave me the figure and said, "I saw you throw the toy in my yard. Watch it next time."Love this controversy.

So, our main character has all of has all of those "powers and abilities, far beyond those of mortal men!" How would he ever get into any bad situations? We find that Superman, by his alone and secret double life existence, proves to be vulnerable to evil deeds of so many common,ordinary denizens of the underworld.

The story opens with a common, low life burglar enter a darkened apartment. With flashlight in hand, the thug runs through the strange apartment and finds a secret compartment in the closet. The spring opening door is discovered accidentally when the intruder bumps into it while running through the rack of suits and coats hanging on the rack.

Finding something far more valuable than the used threads of the still unknown owner, the thug exits down the outside via fie escape. There he is observed by the Uniformed Foot Patrolman. As the robber runs from the Beat Cop, who has drawn and is firing his revolver, he is wounded in the rear part of his shoulder.

Somehow, he is able to evade capture by the law and makes his way to a residence of someone known to him as fellow career criminal. The occupants are big shot crook known as 'Ace'(Dan Seymour) and moll, Connie (Veda Ann Borg). They greet him and he dies before his being able to give any details of his find.*

The next morning, after having unceremoniously disposing with the stiff, Connie examines the costume, and after declaring that it cannot be cut or burned, the underworld twosome thinks that they have the McCoy.But where was it that the break-in occurred? How could the super-suit benefit these two underworld big shots?

They plan to snoop around and find who Superman is "when he's being the other guy.",what is commonly called a Secret Identity. They start to snoop around the Daily Planet Building, taking movies with a home movie camera. They have identified all who have been close to Superman. They film and identify: Editor Perry White, Reporters Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. Then they catch Clark Kent on film. That revealed a scene of Kent running into an alley and then Superman emerges flying off on a mission. They've got what they wanted, enough of the goods on the Man of Steel to use to their criminal advantage.

Meanwhile, Clark Kent contacts a Private Detective friend of his, Candy (Frank Jenks). Kent tells him that he needs his help in finding a stolen item, but refuses to tell Candy just what it is that is missing. Armed with zero info and being a good friend to Mr. Kent, Candy half-heartedly agrees to do whatever he can to help.

Sometime later, the bad guys confront Kent, who has to slug Candy (who was paying another visit to Kent)rendering the Dectective unconscious. Then Kent can deal with the gangsters without revealing any of the sensitive info to Candy.

At this point, Superman informs the pair that they know too much and he'll have to do something drastic about it. He then carries them off, flying to a remote, snow covered mountain, where a solitary cabin stands. He tells them that they will have to stay in the (heated) place until Superman can figure out what to do with them.

Almost immediately after Superman leaves, Ace and Connie try to climb down the side of the snowy, rocky terrain and, Connie's high heals cause them to fall to their death.

Meanwhile, Clark Kent informs Candy that he can disregard the previous call for help as he has recovered his missing property.

THE STOLEN COSTUME is a finely written executed half hour mystery. It was a bit too brutal for the younger viewers. For this reason, the tone of the show was brought down some in the next season, rendering the series less likely to require any sort of censorship from the Hollywood or Television Establishment. The second season, (my personal favourite) cut down on the violence. No more would there be any on screen homicides nor any kidnappings by the Big Guy.

FINALLY, THIS WAS a film fans delight; what with names such as Frank Jenks, Veda Ann Borg and Dan Seymour in the cast.

* A low life burglar like this guy, while he may scout the terrain or 'case the joint', if you will, most probably would not know the identity of his victim. The best he could do is to show the location to Ace (obviously a big shot in the Metropolis underworld), and get a good sized cash payment for the effort.

** Clark Kent couldn't have made a Police Report about this incident without risking the revelation about his double identity. In desperation, he turned to his friend, the Private I.

I don't know what I can say. I feel most of these positive reviews are from those who feel the need to respect anything now considered a classic. The fact is Superman is needlessly dark in this one and takes Justice into his own hands.

The ending has him trap men (who know his secret) on a mountain top and when they try to escape they each die. So Superman grins and winks at the camera. If that's a hero I'm going to side with the villains, thanks. Also how is that truth, justice, and the American way? He left those men on a frozen mountain top because they knew his secret. They wouldn't have survived even if they had not tried to escape. And they would have, unavoidably, gotten a sentence far exceeding their original crime just to protect Sueprman's identity. It's horrible. And this once was used to teach children what justice is?!?

Alfred Hitchcock was famed for giving his movie viewers clues his onscreen characters had no idea of; for instance, the ticking time bomb beneath the character's restaurant table. I think this is where talking back to the screen must have started.

This episode is distinctive in many ways, the first in that it's clearly not a pure master recording; it looks like a movie that's been projected way too many times with so many "bugs" flowing across the screen. Still, it's one of the series' best episodes.

In the brilliantly-scripted "The Stolen Costume" the viewing audience is immediately aware that Clark Kent's apartment has been burglarized, but he can't tell anyone what was taken, not even his good friend, detective Candy (Frank Jenks), which is maddening to Candy, but plausible to viewers.

Dan Seymour, fresh from "The Mind Machine" is back here in his size 60 high-waist pants with huge midriff bulge, somehow attracting the good-looking gun moll (Veda Ann Borg), living in a nice apartment where the costume thief has staggered, dying on their couch.

There is suspense galore, in several ways, with a knockout finale where Superman takes Seymour and Borg out where they will not be able to betray their blockbuster secret, with Superman's promise to provide food and shelter for them.

At this point, Jimmy Cagney's Cody Jarrett (from the crackling "White Heat") would have yelled "Made it, ma! Top of the world!!". Those were Jarrett's last words before his final act. Think about that while Seymore and Borg believe their final act, from literally the top of the world and in dress clothes and shoes, is a good idea.