The Monkey Mystery — Epilogue

by Tom Nichol

based on an episode of the same name from the
Adventures of Superman (1951)

[Writer’s note: This episode was written and filmed when the “cold war” was at its height. The science and criminal laws involved were therefore significantly different from what they are today.]

A week had passed since the escape of Maria Moleska, daughter of the now-deceased nuclear physicist, Jan Moleska, from Eastern Europe. She had brought with her a locket containing a microfilm of her late father’s research into providing a defense against atomic and hydrogen bombs. Her native land’s dictatorial government had attempted to retrieve that information by hiring two American hoodlums to kidnap and murder Maria.

Lois Lane, of the Metropolis Daily Planet, attempted to interview Maria, only to be brutally attacked by one of the two thugs while on board a train bound for Washington. Maria had also been savagely beaten, and only Superman’s timely appearance prevented Maria’s demise.

Ultimately, Jimmy Olson managed to locate the two hoodlums, only to be kidnapped and tied up by the two criminals. They were about to kill a small monkey named “Pepe,” whose owner, Tony Urmenti, had been coerced into helping them (and had subsequently been brutally stabbed to death), when Superman arrived and subdued them. The Man of Steel then retrieved the missing microfilm from one of the criminals’ coat pockets and turned it over to Jimmy, who in turn gave it to Inspector Henderson of the Metropolis Police Department for forwarding to the Atomic Energy Commission.

With the two hoodlums in jail, Lois, Jimmy, Clark Kent and Henderson were now discussing the case with Perry White, owner/publisher of the Daily Planet. Among his first acts had been to insist that both Lois and Jimmy be examined by their personal doctors to insure that neither of them would suffer any lasting negative effects from the two thugs’ brutal treatment. Thankfully, each of the doctors involved had assured Perry that their respective patients would make a full recovery.

“What about Miss Moleska?” Jimmy inquired.

“I can answer that,” the Inspector replied. “The FBI has assured me that Miss Moleska will also make a complete recovery. For obvious reasons, however, they’ve made arrangements to place her under Federal protection, as well as providing her with a new identity.”

“Good!” Perry responded, as his three employees expressed their concurrence.

“And what about the two hoodlums who attacked us?” Lois put in.

The disguised Man of Steel’s face and voice were like flint as he answered, “They will both be facing chargers of murder, attempted murder, treason, and espionage. In view of the circumstances involved, they’ll both be tried in Federal court, and they’ll both go to the electric chair if they’re convicted!”

“And what about Pepi?” Jimmy asked. “What’s going to happen to him?”

With a surprisingly warm, gentle smile, Perry replied, “You needn’t worry about him, Jimmy. We’ve already arranged for him to go to the Metropolis Zoo. The staff there have personally assured me that he’ll receive the very best of care for as long as he lives!” The others smiled and expressed their relief.

“And his owner?” Clark asked. “In view of Mr Urmenti’s unwilling involvement, and the brutal murder that resulted, I’m personally taking care of his funeral arrangements,” Perry responded. “I’m also setting up a trust fund for the ongoing assistance of his wife and children.”

“Chief, that’s great!” the disguised Man of Steel exclaimed, and the others heartily concurred.

“What about Moleska’s formula, Chief?” Lois inquired. Since the formula itself had been the focal point of recent events, her concern was quite understandable.

Perry, who was a respected amateur scientist as well as a journalist, responded, “It’ll be up to the Atomic Energy Commission to decide how best to make use of Moleska’s work, Lois. Given the rapid pace at which the field of nuclear science is developing, however, it may be months or even years before his formula can be put to practical use.”

The others nodded their understanding, and the meeting broke up.

In the months that followed, further investigation by the FBI and the CIA resulted in the arrest of several foreign spies who had worked with the two thugs who were already in custody.

Some 18 months later, after their trial, conviction, and the subsequent rejection of their appeals, the entire group was put to death in the Federal electric chair at the Federal Prison in Terr Haute, Indiana, thereby officially concluding what had already unofficially been dubbed “The Monkey Mystery.”

Posted June 18, 2026
Jim