The Man of Steel fights crime with help from his friends at the "Daily Planet."The Man of Steel fights crime with help from his friends at the "Daily Planet."The Man of Steel fights crime with help from his friends at the "Daily Planet."
- Awards
- 1 win & 3 nominations
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAfter George Reeves' death, producers considered continuing the series with Jimmy Olsen becoming the main character and including stock footage of Reeves as Superman. Jack Larson, however, rejected the idea.
- GoofsWith the switch to more expensive color film in 1954, there was a mandate to shoot no more new effects scenes than absolutely necessary. Most Superman-in-flight footage was filmed right-to-left. When the plot unavoidably required Superman to fly in the opposite direction, the footage was "flipped," as can be detected by the reversal of the "S" chest emblem. Another explanation is that George Reeves' "body pan' was attached to a pole that was blocked from view by his body. Unfortunately it was attached on only on his right side. If he had to be shown flying in the opposite direction the film had to be reversed. This not only occurred in the colour episodes, but the black and white ones as well.
- Quotes
[title sequence]
Announcer: Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!
Voices: Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!
Announcer: Yes, it's Superman, strange visitor from another planet, who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way.
- Alternate versionsSome episodes from the first and second seasons were censored for network broadcast. These edited versions were carried over to the early 16mm television syndication prints. The cut footage was restored in the 1960s.
- ConnectionsEdited into Superman and Scotland Yard (1954)
The special effects and the credibility (picking a scene apart) were beyond bad. Apparently, they had a budget of about $5 a show, or so it looks, so you'd see the same scene over and over in various episodes. I could write volumes on all the ludicrous scenes that made no sense but that's what helps make this so entertaining. It's so bad, it's good! I don't want to sound like I am criticizing this because I thoroughly enjoyed it and have already purchased the second season.
It was especially fun to see the first show, the TV version of the origins of Superman. Then, as the episodes continued, to hear the innocence of a young Jimmy Olsen saying, "Jeepers, Mr. Kent," "Golly, gee whiz" and other similar exclamations. I laugh every time I hear those. Wow, compare that to today's TV.
Phyllis Coates was good as Lois Lane. It's too bad she left after one year. I'd rate her a slightly better Lane than Noel Neill, but Noel was good, too. Lois and Jimmy, with their nosiness, naiveté and just plain stupidity would have to be bailed out by Superman show after show.
George Reeves is likable as Superman but I got tired of John Hamilton screaming all the time as Perry White. They did calm him down a bit in subsequent years, but that first year all he did was yell.
Each episode was completely different and entertaining on this DVD package. This is great stuff for nostalgia buffs. Right now, I am in the middle of watching the second season on DVD and look forward to all of the sets that will be released.....hopefully, all of the seasons.
- ccthemovieman-1
- Jan 21, 2006
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Adventures of Superman
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime30 minutes