Adventures Of Superman seasons 1-4 (TV serial review).
Having reviewed the Kirk Alyn version of Superman last year, it’s about time I looked at George Reeves’ version. The opening episode astonished me the most, as it traced the origin back to Krypton, with baby Kar-el emerging as the sole survivor, despite a substantial expenditure on its annihilation, particularly in the 1950s miniatures budget. Surprisingly, Ebon and Sarah Kent took him in, despite the lack of evidence of the rocket’s destruction. Now here’s a thing. Many years later, Sarah Kent sews at least three costumes from the blankets he arrived in. The thing is, if it’s so indestructible, how could she cut and sew it, let alone add different colors, as she only had one blanket and yet made at least three suits? Kryptonian thread goes a long way.
I’m still puzzling over how ‘The Haunted Lighthouse’ became the second episode of the first season, as it was basically a Jim Olsen story with Clark Kent/Superman arriving towards the end to sort it out, and the Man of Steel was already acquainted with him. This is also the first audio commentary by Gary H. Grossman, the author of ‘Superman: Serial To Cereal,’ who fills in the details. Watch the backdrops.
It’s interesting to note that in the first season, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen receive most of the episodes to themselves, while Clark Kent/Superman effectively serves as the guest star in his own adventures. Superman’s appearances primarily serve to solve problems, and because they inevitably require his superpowers, they tend to be brief. This explains why Lois and Olsen have their own comic book titles. Considering Clark’s close friendship with Superman, one might expect the National Periodicals to publish a comic book named ‘Superman’s Pal, Clark Kent.’
I concur with Grossman’s view that each episode functions as a short film, with Superman adding a unique twist. However, in the first season, it was challenging to provide Superman with adversaries that were worthy of his powers while still staying within the budget. The complexity of concealing his secret identity is becoming increasingly challenging. In ‘Double Trouble,’ he travels to Germany, transitions to Kent, gathers information, and then returns to his original location. Surely, it would be simple to verify whether he had truly boarded a plane, or if anyone would mistake him for Superman. He often makes jokes about it with his colleagues, but they find it difficult to imagine him doing such a thing.
The audio commentary by Chuck Holder with ‘The Evil Three’ points out that the early seasons were put on at prime time on Monday nights in 1953, so not seen as a children’s show. The weekly recording of two episodes explains the increased time for the regular characters and the appearance of Perry White outside his office. You can’t help but wonder where the rest of the Daily Planet staffers were, aside from the budget.
The finale double-parter, ‘The Unknown People,’ is the closest thing to an alien story, despite the fact that these short people originate from the Earth’s bowels, where mining has opened up six miles below their home. I find it surprising that Lois Lane and others believe this to be the Earth’s center, especially considering that it was known to be much deeper in 1951. If the Earth’s diameter were 12 miles, you could walk all the way to Australia. It’s interesting that whenever Superman takes off, not only do we hear wind noise, but we also see objects moving below, a phenomenon that seems to go unnoticed in subsequent films.
It can be challenging to identify notable actors at the beginning of their careers. In the second season’s episode ‘The Runaway Robot,’ Russell Johnson from ‘It Came From Outer Space’ and Robert ‘Bob’ Easton, who voiced Phones in ‘Stingray’, made an appearance. The finale double-parter ‘The Unknown People’ featured a younger actor named Jeff Corey. In season three, ‘Semi-Private Eye’ features Elisha Cook Jr. Claude Akins has the distinction of being called an ape over a decade before he appeared in ‘Battle For The Planet Or The Apes’ in episode ‘Peril By Sea.’
There are two extras. Various critics, TV, and comic book creators discuss the series’ appeal and the difference between filming and appearing on TV in the 17-minute ‘Adventures Of Superman: From Inkwell To Backlot’. Don’t confuse the two-parter ‘Superman Versus The Atom People’ with ‘Atom Man vs. Superman’ (1950), as they aren’t the same. I don’t remember the series ever airing in the UK.
‘Pony Express Days,’ a 20-minute color story from 1940, tells the story of George Reeves, who aspired to be a postal rider but was deemed too light for the horses until circumstances proved otherwise.
In the second season, actress Noel Neill makes a comeback, replacing Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane. The adventures largely continue from the first season, although Superman no longer has a volley of wind when he takes off, at least not until halfway through the second DVD. Some things are more apparent. More of the stories revolve around getting Superman into personal trouble. Similarly, Lois and Jimmy have come to understand the absence of Clark Kent and the presence of Superman, as if they were one and the same. Totally absurd, of course. The only similarities are the broad shoulders and the cream-colored hair.
Rather oddly, Clark will occasionally call Miss Lane Lois, but she rarely deviates from calling him ‘Mr. Kent.’ Interestingly, during a telethon in the episode ‘The Clown Who Cried,’ only Kent, Olson, Lane, and White represent the Daily Planet. Given that they are the primary sponsors, it raises questions about the roles of the other staff members.
In ‘The Clown Who Cried,’ Superman only saves one person, despite being supposed to be fast enough to have caught two, a situation that would have raised questions if it ever went to court.
‘The Semi-Private Eye’ is significant for two reasons. Lois Lane finally admits to Jimmy Olsen that she thinks Clark Kent is Superman. As if. What is the benefit of having the same actor perform both roles? Olsen receives an opportunity to play different roles, such as a shamus, despite his poor performance.
From ‘The Wrecker’ onwards, there does appear to be an upgrade in story quality but gives me the impression the plots were taken from elsewhere. The voice-over abbreviated much of the opening, and no one thought to call in Superman early or explain why he wasn’t already on the case. There’s also a demonstration of remote-control toy-size planes, although I find it hard to understand how Olsen could watch the plane he was controlling in a room with closed blinds!
‘Stamp Day For Superman,’ a significant extra episode, features the Man of Steel encouraging children to purchase National Stamps as part of a savings program. Even Jimmy Olsen, who must have saved a significant amount to purchase a portable typewriter in the 1950s, participated in this program when he was younger.
The third and fourth seasons consist of 13 episodes each and are in full color. The plots are more engaging. Oddly, no one seems to question how Clark Kent is so comfortable with Superman and knows how to contact him so easily. It’s not as if he is equipped with a signal watch or anything similar. At times, Clark displays strength and invulnerability, yet he keeps the details of his actions hidden. He also sees through con jobs. Villains don’t seem to realize coating rooms and such in lead might inhibit his x-ray vision but would be of interest to him as to why.
Season two’s ‘Flight To The North,’ guest-starring Chuck Connors as hick Sylvester J. Superman from Skunk Hollow County, who is positively towering over Reeves and strong enough to bend a metal rod, is the funniest episode. Indeed, he frequently keeps his mule, Lilly Belle, with him, even in his hotel room. Really funny.
It’s interesting that the progression through season four still features strong episodes. That’s not to say there aren’t some intriguing questions. No matter when he flies, Superman still takes the same length of time, even within Metropolis, where it would really be a short hop from his home to the Daily Planet. It’s hardly surprising that many of the traits from the TV series found their way into the comic books, especially when Whitney Ellsworth served as both producer and editor, and Mort Weisinger was credited throughout.
The last three extras each run at seven minutes. ‘Adventures Of Superman: The Colour Era’ reveals that they recorded seasons 3 and 4 in color, preparing them for the USA’s first color broadcast in 1965, thereby securing their future success. Although the contributors stated that the viewing age was reduced to 4-12-year-olds, I suspect this is more of a reference to the 1960s. It’s also pointed out that the chest piece George Reeves wore as Superman could only be worn for 30 minutes before messing up his skin.
The book ‘Faster Than A Speeding Bullet: The Special Effects Of Superman’ details the number of special effects created and the methods used by Thol ‘Si’ Simonson (1912-2010) to ensure the safety of the cast. ‘Look Up In The Sky! The Amazing Adventures Of Superman’ are extracts from a 2006 documentary by Bryan Singer and Kevin Burns showing all the Supermen up to that point.
It’s a shame that seasons 5 and 6 aren’t currently available on DVD, especially as ‘The Marriage Of Superman’ has some footage in the extras but appears to be after these seasons.
Is this series worth watching? Oddly, despite my criticisms, yes. It’s an integral part of American history and, despite its modest budget, possesses a certain charm. I can see how it captivated the 1950s American audience.
GF Willmetts
November 2024
(pub: Warner/DC, 2016. 15 DVDs 1400 minutes 56 * 25 minute episodes plus extras. Price: varies. ASIN: 5000220706)
cast: George Reeves, Jack Larson, Phyllis Coates, Noel Neill, John Hamilton, Robert Shayne and many more
check out website: www.warnerbros.com
