The Adventures of Superman

Note: This article is about the television series. For the comic book which sometimes, but not usually, has "The" in the tile see Adventures of Superman

Series history

The series had its genesis in the short feature Superman and the Mole Men, which was filmed and released to theaters in 1951. This low-budget film was successful enough to inspire the TV series; it was later integrated into the series as a two-part episode.

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The series can be grouped into three collections which differ significantly in terms of content and style.

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• Episodes 1-26: Black and white, Phyllis Coates as a very strong Lois Lane, given equal billing with George Reeves - Typically presented serious, action-packed, sometimes gritty and often violent storylines in which Superman fought tough gangsters and crime lords. There were a number of on-screen murders, and also a few villains who found out Superman's identity and inevitably met death, though not at the direct hand of Superman himself, of course. The shows were clearly influenced by the style of serials, often featuring over-the-top acting. The takeoffs and flying effects were of mixed method and quality.
• Episodes 27-52: Black and white, Noel Neil as a more subtle Lois Lane, and given secondary billing - The shows were generally serious in nature, with the violence tempered significantly, although there was still the occasional death of a villain, usually off-screen. There was also the occasional sentimental or humorous story. The shows took on more of the approach of stereotypical 1950s television. The special effects mavens settled on the springboard for takeoffs, and used a pivoted support for Reeves in the "flying" pose which was very effective in presenting the illusion of swoops and dives.
• Episodes 53-104: Color - As the series progressed, it began to take on the light-hearted, campy tone of the Superman comic books of the 1950s. There were still a few serious episodes, but violence on the show was further toned down. The only gunfire that occurred was aimed at Superman, and of course the bullets bounced off. Unlike the black and white shows, Superman seldom engaged in fisticuffs with the villains, who were as likely to knock themselves out as anything. Takeoffs were done either by springboard or by Reeves running out of frame with just the "sound" of the takeoff played on the track. The flying scenes were effective but not as dramatic, as they lacked the swoop-and-dive feature of episodes 27-52. One dramatic effect that was used more frequently in the colors shows was of Superman bursting through seemingly solid walls.

None of the regular Superman villains of the comic books made appearances on the TV show, and the bad guys on the show were usually generic "thugs." Some actors tended to appear repeatedly in that kind of role. Long-time character actor Herb Vigran played villains in each of the shows three groupings, and played them in the appropriate way for each, ranging from the sadistic to the serio-comical.

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George Reeves became so typecast as Superman that it was difficult for him to find other roles. When he eventually committed suicide, much speculation resulted as to whether it was because of his failed career. It was also noted that he had suffered a concussion in an auto accident shortly before that event, leading some to suspect that his mental health had been compromised. The more recent allegations raised about Reeves possibly being the victim of a "hit" are unlikely to be resolved, due to the passage of time and the deaths of apparently everyone who might know the truth of the matter.

Related Topics:
George Reeves - Typecast

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The shooting location for the Daily Planet lobby scenes was the "Carnation Building" on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, a famous example of Streamline Moderne architecture. The Planet exteriors during episodes 1-26 were of a generic tall building, possibly in New York, but definitely not the Empire State or Chrysler buildings. In the later episodes, the Los Angeles City Hall stood in for the Planet building.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles, California - Streamline Moderne

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The first 26 episodes featured many exterior shots, often at the RKO Pictures backlot called "Forty Acres", the same buildings later used on The Andy Griffith Show. As the show progressed, the episodes tended to be filmed mostly on soundstages. A coincidental connection between those shows is that occasional Superman guest player Dick Elliot also played the mayor of Mayberry in some of its early episodes.

Related Topics:
RKO Pictures - The Andy Griffith Show - Dick Elliot

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The show was popular enough for George Reeves to make a cameo appearance as Superman on an episode of I Love Lucy. In this episode (#165, on January 14, 1957 http://epguides.com/ILoveLucy/), Lucy herself dressed up as Superman in order to fulfill a promise of Superman appearing at a child's party. Fortunately, the real Superman (Reeves) showed up and rescued Lucy from a dangling window ledge. After that misadventure, the following dialogue took place:

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:Superman: You've been married to Lucy for fifteen years?

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:Ricky: That's right!

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:Superman: And they call me "Superman"!

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