Frank Reicher

Synopsis - Superman and the Mole-Men The differences between this movie and the two-part episodes on television are noteworthy, not subtle, but possible mitigation is accepted due to time constraints with the television episodes. The movie was fifty-eight minutes in length whereas two thirty-minute television episodes do not leave sufficient room for commercials, even in the early 1950's. Looking at the movie now allows the viewer scope to include critical scenes in the TV episodes, shave scenes elsewhere, in order to leave less questions to be asked of the viewer. Critical scenes showing why no outside assistance was ever brought in to help law enforcement or why the entire nation was not alerted to the events in Silsby are important to be shown letting the viewer understand why things occurred the way they did. The movie was successful and it launched the television series therefore critical questions answered are most appropriate. The following synopsis includes mention of scenes omitted in the television episodes shown at the end of season one, two years after the movie was made. Eddie is first to speak in the movie as rig supervisor Bill Corrigan is ordering men, including Eddie, to toss nearly-new tools and parts into a pit with one such part being wrapped up and tucked into the shed adjoining watchman Pop's shack. Just before our reporters get to the site, something is afoot as men are not working on the rig of the deepest oil well ever drilled. Edited was Corrigan hiding something in a wrap(never did find out the item), putting it into the shed next to Pop, then jumping Pop for interfering, afterward apologizing, saying he was just nervous about the events at hand. Reporters arrive with news from Pop the well is closing, explaining it was a company decision, per Corrigan. Clark starring at the discarded items, mentioning "I'm not so sure we won't get a story" is a lead to a later conversation with Corrigan alone. The man escorting Clark and Lois to the site is oil company publicity man John Craig. Craig is in the dark as far as the well closing; he offers the Silsby hotel to the reporters at the oil company's expense and his car. Note Craig and Corrigan are with the reporters throughout the movie. Back at the hotel, Clark is thinking about Corrigan as he speaks to Lois about something not sitting right with Clark, questioning Corrigan's demeanor that afternoon. He and Lois decide to take a drive out to the well to take another look around, and maybe talk to the watchman. The creatures release the latches from the well cap and climb out of the casing onto the platform, from there they venture about before coming to Pop's shack. Edited from TV the music seemed more intense as the creatures emerged from the well; they took a longer route to Pop's shack, showing them watching Pop eat while reading his magazine, although the movie never did actually has Pop look at the creatures nor shows them in the shed, Pop hit the floor off-camera. Pop went from his orange to a sandwich when the creatures look at him through the shed window, just as the reporters are driving up in Craig's car. Clark sees through the door and Pop lying on the shed floor. "Great Scot" he exclaims, as he and Lois run to Pop's side. Clark confirms Pop is dead, kneeling before him, requesting Lois get a hold of Craig also summon Corrigan and the Sheriff. Clark goes outside of the shed, notices the cap off the well, examines it, while Lois calls Craig and lets out a scream, witnessing the creatures. Clark runs to her side, comforting her, he tells Craig on the phone to come to the well site with Corrigan and the Sheriff. Everybody gathered in the shack, nobody quite believing Lois' story, but Pop was pronounced dead by the doc-coroner. The Sheriff says all clear around the area, Lois tells Craig what she saw, pleading with them to believe her. The doc-coroner declaring Pop's death a probable heart attack, autopsy to confirm, while Clark asks could Pop have been frightened to death? Yes, responds the doc-coroner. The inquest will be on Wednesday says the Sheriff, Clark says we'll be there. Lois wants out, goes with Craig, Clark sticks around to talk with Corrigan. Corrigan showed Clark the sample drill cores he pulled, they glow, the last sample showed life, the cap was off Clark tells Corrigan. The undertaker, Jeff Reagan, is on his way, until Corrigan gets a call saying Reagan lost control of his car seeing the creatures on the road, the car turned over and he was injured. Pop's death, Lois' sighting, Reagan's sighting all lead to the same conclusion that the creatures, whatever they are, are around the area, and the glowing oranges spilled on the floor are more than enough for Clark and Corrigan to get back to town. The creatures watching through the bushes men heading to town was not in the television episode. The two visitors from the well roam the area, inspecting a flower, dropping it, leaving it to glow. They come to a house where a child is playing in her bedroom, they climb in the window, roll a ball among them. News gets around when the two men pull up to the hotel and Luke Benson's hounds are identified by Corrigan speaking to Kent. A meeting of townsfolk in the hotel lobby angrily forming a vigilantly group lead by Luke Benson prompts Clark to tell all them not to act in that manner and Corrigan chimes in with "they came up from the drill shaft out of the oil well from six miles underground". Clark tells the crowd you reacted because you were frightened. He asks them to trust him, that he will take care of it, when Lois questions his sanity. The crowds leaves the lobby when the child's mother enters and screams at the sight of the two strangers. The crowd heads toward the sound of the screams. Clark, hearing the screams, departs, as Lois expounds to Craig and Corrigan "he always does that, gets himself in a jam and runs away." Superman appears at the child's house, goes in, exits, the little girl was scared, she is alright, fights off Luke and the crowd disperses. Superman, Lois, Corrigan and Craig go to the house window where the creatures entered. He directs the other men to wrap the two, bring them to the hospital for routine decontamination, explaining to Lois about the glow caused by the creatures' touch. Edited from television, Lois wants to call the Planet, Superman advises otherwise, for the panic set forth could be devastating, a nationwide form of hysteria, hold off until more facts are known, stop this here in Silsby before it spreads. Craig says he is right Miss Lane, Lois reluctantly agrees. The creatures are on the dam's precipice with Luke, Weber and Eddie hunting them; Eddie shines his light at them, aerial shots of the water below with the concrete walls were edited from the movie. Superman lands in front of the vigilantes, warning about their possible radioactivity, contaminating the water supply, Luke fire shots at Superman, knocks down Luke, Weber shoots a creature, he lets out a scream, falls with Superman catching him mid-air. Superman lands with the wounded one and says "I'm going to get you to a hospital." The chase for the other one is on with Matt getting the hounds on the scent. There is considerable more footage of the lone creature escaping from the dam, encountering a vagabond at a campfire, sipping water until he sees the creature and flees the area. The creature meets up with a chicken wire fence he sifts through as the mob finds a distant gate for the dogs to pass with them. The footage from leaving the dam to the tool shed is minimal in the television edit, no vagabond, no chicken wire, less travel altogether. They did show the creature lying prone taking a breath and leaving glowing brush; Luke warning the men not to touch it. The creature comes to a tool shed, rips boards away to enter, and finds himself being nearly burned to death in the shed. Miraculously escaping through the floorboard as the shed is engulfed in flames. Eddie shoots at the window while the flames are roaring, but Luke is not sticking around to see the kill. Footage seen only in the movie is the Sheriff leaving a call for the state police asking for help in controlling the mob in town as it is only he and deputy Jim available as law enforcement. Craig tries talking him into doing it himself with the help from Superman and Corrigan agrees with Craig. The Sheriff says he hasn't seen Superman since he went to the hospital with the wounded creature. Corrigan says Kent is at the hospital, hasn't seen Superman, but Craig says Kent and Lane are from the largest newspaper in the country, think about the publicity you would get from their story if you handled yourself. The operator calls back saying still a busy signal, the Sheriff says he will try them in the morning, Craig tells he did the right thing. Luke comes into the Sheriff's office bragging they got the creatures, the Sheriff disagrees, Superman took one to the hospital. Luke is determined to rid the town of the creatures and forces the men at gunpoint to back off he is going to hunt the creatures down once and for all. The Sheriff and deputy are off to stop Benson and his mob, Corrigan and Craig don't think they will be able to without help, they go to find Kent. The Sheriff gets slugged by Luke on the hotel steps as he tries to arrest Luke, the mob hauls away the Sheriff, Luke and mob head to the hospital. Clark and the doctor walk out of the operating room as Lois barks "Clark, where have you been? And what are you doing in that outfit?" "What are you hiding?" she chirps at Clark. "... you're leading a double life." Clark tells Lois Craig and Corrigan are running up the street, she can't see them. Corrigan says Luke is on his way to get the creature, Clark says he will be right back, Lois accuses him of being scared to death. A confrontation erupts between Luke and Lois, Corrigan gets pistol whipped by Luke, Superman appears, Craig helps Corrigan in side the hospital, Lois is almost struck with a shot fired, she steps inside, Superman relieves the mob of its weapons. Three more creatures emerge from the well, weapon in tow, seeking revenge and their companion more than likely. They walk through the empty streets weapon-ready to defend themselves as the disarmed townsfolk head into the hotel. They encounter Superman, weapon pointed, one gesticulates cradling another, Superman goes into the hospital telling all present they communicated he was the person saving their friend by the cradling motion. Superman brings out the wounded one, handing over to another, and blocks the weapon discharge of a pulsating light beam at Luke Benson. Luke says you saved my life and Superman retorts that's more than you deserve. Superman helps carry the wounded one to the well entrance, helping them down the casing, weapon included. Corrigan tells Superman he got hold of a Geiger counter, checking the woman and child, and Kent was right, it was just harmless phosphorescence confirmed. A light ray pulses from the capped well, suddenly an explosion, the derrick is burning, the well and casing is being destroyed so no one will be able to get to them again. Superman, Lois, Craig and Corrigan stand back as the fire burns, Lois says "...you live your lives, and we'll live ours." No credits were listed at the end of the movie, only those at the beginning.

The U.S. government sends Major Thomas Blake on a secret mission when the Bey of Tripoli starts demanding tribute from American merchant ships in the Mediterranean in the early 1800's. His pose as a Tory on the ship alienates his fellow passengers, Anne Ridgeway, and her brother Sam. Off Tripoli, the ship is captured by the Bey's pirates, but Blake makes a friend of the Bey when he saves his life. Blake learns that a servant girl, Zoltah, and her friends ate plotting to kill the Bey, and that the Bey also has a spy in the State Department, Tobias Sharpe, who sends advance information about American ship movements. —Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>

In Egypt, Yousef Bey (John Carradine) journeys to a remote temple in answer to a summons from Andoheb, High Priest of Arkham (George Zucco). Andoheb has called him to undertake a mission for the priesthood, but first refreshes his memory on the story of Kharis (Lon Chaney Jr.). 3000 years ago, Kharis and the Princess Ananka were involved in a forbidden love affair. The princess died and because of her sin, her soul was cursed forever. Kharis was buried alive along with her. 30 years prior to the present time, an expedition located and entered the tomb of Ananka. They fought and escaped from the guardian of the tomb-the living Mummy of Kharis. The archaeologists brought Ananka's body back to the Scripps Museum in the United States. However, the priests of Arkham sent Kharis to seek vengeance against the defilers of the tomb. Every person from the expedition that entered the tomb died at the Mummy's hands. Kharis was believed to be destroyed in a fire at the residence of Stephen Banning (Dick Foran), leader of the expedition. The same story is being told to a group of skeptical college students in Mapleton Massachusetts. Professor Norman (Frank Reicher) expands on the story, explaining how Kharis was kept alive by the fluid of the leaves of the Tana bush, a plant that has long been extinct. In fact, Professor Norman himself was entrusted with a quantity of the tana leaves that investigators found in order to conduct scientific research. After the lecture ends, one of the students, Tom Hervey (Robert Lowery), meets up with his girlfriend Amina Mansori (Ramsay Ames), a beautiful woman of Egyptian descent. Amina has been researching Egyptian history, which has brought on a strange, clouded feeling in her mind. Back in Egypt, Andoheb informs Yousef Bey that Kharis still lives and that Yousef's mission is to retrieve Kharis and the body of Ananka and return them to their rightful resting place in Egypt. Yousef Bey then pledges his devotion: "I swear by the mighty power of Amon-Ra, whose anger can shatter the world and by the dread horror of Set, that I shall never forsake my trust as a Priest of Arkham. Nor shall I rest until the Princess Ananka and Kharis are safe once more in the Hills of Arkham." Andoheb explains that each night during the cycle of the full moon, Yousef Bey is to brew the fluid from 9 tana leaves and that wherever Kharis is, the Mummy will sense this and find the leaves. The moon is full in Mapleton as Professor Norman studies the hieroglyphics on the case of tana leaves. He has deciphered the message about brewing 9 tana leaves during the full moon and decides to do just that. The battered, ragged form of Kharis now appears, his right arm is useless and held in a sling, his right eye burned and sealed shut. He senses the leaves brewing and begins instinctively heading toward them. On the way, he passes the home of Amina and his presence arouses her from a fitful sleep. She wanders outside in a trance-like state. She does not see Kharis, who is now some distance ahead, but somehow follows the same course. Kharis soon arrives at the home of Professor Norman and enters his study. Norman looks up and is shocked to see the Mummy shambling toward him with one arm extending, reaching for the Professor's throat. Soundlessly and brutally, Kharis strangles Norman and then drinks the fluid of the tana leaves. Amina now approaches and Kharis senses her presence and heads back outside. From a concealed location, Amina sees Kharis, which snaps her out of her trance but also causes her to immediately faint. She falls to the ground with a strange birthmark now apparent on her wrist. The next morning, Tom Hervey learns that Professor Norman was murdered and that Amina was found at the scene and detained. He immediately heads for the Professor's home. At the home, Sherriff Elwood (Harry Shannon) and the Coroner (Emmett Vogan) investigate the scene of the crime. They discover a strange mold around the Professor's throat; a sign they both know to mean that the Mummy stalks Mapleton again. The Sherrif questions Amina, who has developed a white streak in her hair overnight. Amina is dazed and confused, but Elwood continues to grill her until Hervey arrives. Tom unsuccessfully tries to provide an alibi for Amina and the Sherrif maintains his suspicions in her involvement. Elwood finally dismisses the pair but gives Amina the obligatory warning not to leave the area. Tom takes her home to comfort her but is himself disturbed by the changes in her appearance. Panic begins to grip the town as newspaper reports of the killing highlight the involvement of the Egyptian woman and the speculation that the Mummy has returned. Townspeople are warned to stay indoors at night and all able-bodied men are asked to help patrol the streets after dark. Weeks later Yousef Bey, who has arrived in Mapleton, calls on Amon-Ra to aid him in his quest and begins to brew the sacred fluid of the tana leaves to summon Kharis. Kharis, indeed, senses the leaves and heads toward them. Tom and Amina are out for a drive that same night. Amina is finally beginning to return to normal, laughing and no longer hearing voices or suffering from fevers and chills. Unseen, Kharis passes near them, causing Amina's mood to suddenly change and for her to feel an unnatural cold. Despite Tom professing his love for her, Amina cannot shake the strange feeling and asks to be taken home. Kharis continues on his quest for the tana leaves, passing through the Evans farm. The family dog is startled by his presence and begins to bark incessantly. Mr. Evans (Eddy Waller), armed with a shot gun, comes out of the house to investigate and is surprised by Kharis. Evans fires his weapon at the Mummy to no avail. Kharis swiftly murders the man and busts through the wall of the barn, undeterred from his quest. The Sherrif soon arrives on the scene and, recognizing the evidence of Kharis, plans to organize a search party. Kharis, meanwhile, finds Yousef Bey and consumes the life-giving tana leaves. Yousef thanks his god for his success thus far and re-pledges his devotion to their mission. The next day, at the Scripps Museum, Yousef Bey lags behind a tour group viewing the Mummy of Ananka. He asks Amon-Ra for forgiveness for allowing these heretics to view the sacred remains of the Princess. After closing time, Yousef emerges from a hiding place as Kharis breaks into the museum. The two are excited with anticipation as their mission appears near an end. Yousef encourages Kharis by telling him the Tombs of Arkham are waiting to claim their own. Kharis attempts to touch the mummified body, but it disintegrates under the wrapping as his hand approaches. At that same moment, Amina, miles away in her home, awakens screaming. Yousef Bey realizes that Ananka's soul has been re-incarnated into another form. Kharis is enraged and begins destroying the exhibit, attracting the museum security guard (Oscar O'Shea). The guard enters, not seeing Kharis, and draws his gun on the High Priest. The Mummy exits the shadows and moves toward the horrified man. He fires several shot at point blank range, but the Mummy is not even slowed. Kharis crushes his throat as Yousef Bey looks on with glee. Yousef Bey realizes that the two must still fulfill their mission and find the new vessel holding Ananka's soul and return it to Egypt. Tom Hervey visits Sherrif Elwood, seeking permission to take Amina away to New York to restore her health. Elwood says he is not trying to implicate Amina in the murders, but denies Hervey's request. At the Scripps Museum, the body of the guard is found and the tell-tale marks of mold identify the killer as Kharis. Police Inspector Walgreen (Barton MacLane) and Dr. Ayad (Lester Sharpe) from the museum are bewildered as to how Ananka's body has disappeared without disturbing the wrappings. Dr. Ayad translates the markings on the tomb for the Inspector: "Herein rests the body of Ananka, third daughter of Amenophis. In the Hills of Arkham shall Ananka lie in the tomb appointed for her and in none other, because freed from its resting place, her soul may find reincarnation in another form, again to seek out its salvation on earth." The Inspector is skeptical but asks the Doctor to accompany him to Mapleton to investigate further. Upon arriving, they seek out the assistance of Sherrif Elwood and the group convenes at the home of the late Professor Norman. Dr. Ayad translates most of the markings on the cask of tana leaves and Inspector Walgreen decides to use the leaves to attract and capture Kharis. Since bullets are useless against the Mummy, the plan is to build a pit to confine the creature until a way to deal with him can be found. Amina is still unable to shake the haunted feelings that torture her. Tom, disregarding the Sherrif's warnings, asks Amina to elope with him to New York. Amina tries to discourage him but Tom is insistent. She agrees and the two make plans to leave early the next morning. Tom leaves Amina in the care of her guardian, Mrs. Blake (Dorothy Vaughan) and Tom's faithful dog, Peanuts. Yousef Bey calls upon Amon Ra to lead him to the new home of Ananka's soul. Just then, a window blows open and Yousef sees the moon, which resembles the scene on the ceremonial amulet he wears as a Priest of Arkham. Knowing that this is a sign from the gods, he sends Kharis in that direction to find Ananka. Using the widowed Mrs. Norman's (Claire Whitney) recollections as a guide, Inspector Walgreen now begins to bait his trap by burning nine tana leaves. Kharis immediately senses this, and heads toward the Norman home--a course that takes him directly past Amina's home. Amina is awakened by his approach and hypnotically wanders into the yard. Kharis sees her and recognizes her as the carrier of Ananka's soul. Amina faints as Kharis picks her up and takes her away. The abduction is witnessed by Mrs. Blake, who phones Tom to alert him. Tom immediately sets out in pursuit. Mrs. Blake, then heads to the Norman house and tells her story to Inspector Walgreen, Sherrif Elwood and a large group of volunteers. A frantic chase now ensues. Kharis and Amina are headed for the old mill where Yousef Bey waits. Tom, led by Peanuts, is hot on their trail, while further back is the mob. Kharis arrives at the mill and presents Amina to Yousef Bey. Bey recognizes the birthmark on her wrist as the symbol of the Priests of Arkham. Amina awakens and the Priest informs her that she is, indeed, the reincarnation of Ananka. Amina denies this but Yousef Bey warns her: "For those who defy the will of the ancient gods, a cruel and violent death shall be their fate, never shall they find rest unto eternity." Yousef Bey now begins to admire Amina's beauty and feels the pangs of temptation to keep her alive as his bride. His devotion begins to falter as they are thousands of miles from the Tombs of Arkham and Ananka is thousands of years from her sin. He calls upon Isis to protect him in his hour of temptation, but his prayers go unanswered. He decides to use the tana leaves to keep Amina young and beautiful forever. The two will drink the fluid and become immortal and never return to Egypt. This enrages Kharis and before Yousef Bey can give her the fluid, the Mummy knocks the cup away. He exacts his vengeance on the Priest with a killing blow, delivered with enough force to fling Yousef's lifeless body through the window and onto the ground below. Tom Hervey now arrives and witnesses the death of the Priest. He rushes up the stairs to the mill but is met by Kharis. A struggle ensues and Tom is quickly overwhelmed. Kharis returns to retrieve Amina, whose hair is now completely white. The mob now approaches and they revive Tom, as Kharis attempts to escape with Amina. Once again led by Peanuts, the mob pursues the Mummy and his Princess into the neary swamps. In Kharis's arms, Amina/Ananka is now aging rapidly. They are chased deeper and deeper into the swamps and now begin to sink into the bog. Tom's last anguished sight of Amina is that of a 3,000 year old Egyptian Princess. Kharis and Ananka disappear under the water, united in death.