When it comes to the character of Superman George Reeves played him best. Most people, including myself, give Christopher Reeve the extra point because of his look. But the mannerisms, the sophisticated sound of his voice, and his no nonsense direct approach makes George Reeves the quintessential Superman.
There's a bit more magic in the old days. I remember watching TV specials on behind the scenes on movies and how they did it. It was always amazing to find out what they did, because there was so many tricks they used. Now everything is summed up with one word...cgi.
Thank you for this look back into my childhood. I was a kid in the 60s watching the TV series re-runs and loved it. As an adult, I got to watch the serial and loved it too.
Thanks for putting this video up. Always good to see new information on my hero. As a young boy I watched George Reeves every week day after school without fail. I just loved that show and of course as the years rolled on I was able to renew the interest with Christopher Reeve, though George would always be the real Superman to me. Later I would come to realise what an amazing job Jack Larsen did as Jimmy Olsen. I don't think anyone has ever played that role better.
Glad you enjoyed it. It's always fun doing videos on my favorite comic book characters and TV shows I watched as a kid, which I watched Reeves in re-runs about the same time I saw Christopher Reeve the first time as Superman, or close to it. 😀
Here's an extra bit of trivia: The producers of the two serials approached Paramount Studios (originally Fletcher Studios) to create the animation flying sequences. Fletcher Studios had produced the wonderful animation Superman films in the 1940s, so it was a natural choice. Paramount offered two choices - really good animation sequences at $60 a foot, or much cheaper animation at $30 per foot. Sadly, the cheaper animation was chosen.
Imagine that. The lavishly produced Fleischer animated shorts would've juxtaposed perfectly with Columbia's rather slipshod efforts at simulating Superman's incredible flying sequences in live-action form. Too bad.
@@demetriusdillard2863 They should have used the technique Republic Pictures used in The Adventures Of Captain Marvel, a 1941 serial. If you are not familiar with this movie serial, it's on U Tube. The flying effects were very good and were.never used in any of the Superman serials or the TV show. Pity.
Kirk Alyn was a nice. guy who I met a few times and even interviewed. But he wasn't a convincing Superman. As Superman he was a bit stiff while George Reeves projected a lot more personality in the role.
Lyle Talbot, who played Lex Luthor in the second Superman serial, was a seriously underrated actor in his time. Today we can see the scope of his career by the sheer number and variety of the supporting parts he played. I, for one, am in awe of him. He could play any type of character, and did, and his range is amazing. From what I have read he was also a really nice man and his daughter speaks very highly of him as a father. Do yourselves a favor if you love films from the 1930s to the early 1960s and choose and watch a film or serial with Lyle Talbot in a supporting role. He really disapears into his characters. and he does things with his face and eyes in reaction to other characters that put modern actors to shame, except for a few like Paul Dano and Samuel L. Jackson.
His daughter, Margaret Talbot, an acclaimed journalist, also wrote a biography of her dad. I haven't read it yet but definitely want to at some point. He also lived a long life into his 90s, I believe.
I am old, hence the fact that I watched this, but while the newer generations know Superman from the movies, I knew him from TV, and so I am afraid that I am a bit TV prejudiced and choose George Reeves as my idol. One thing I always liked was his personality: he seemed to like to smile a lot and he just had that rare quality that top salesmen have that cause you to trust them. He was very special.
I think who you grew up with definitely affects your favorite, but having said that George Reeves was definitely a great Superman, Kirk Alyn fit the look, and Christopher Reeve was like the ultimate Superman to me, but there were some areas I would say George was better than Christopher. In my comic book fan mind I guess I see them as Supermen from different parallel Earths. They all have their strong points.
Phyllis Coates had other commitments after the first season because the producers of the show didn't know if they were going to have a second season or not. That's why Coates didn't appear for season 2 onward. I think there was a Rumor that Steve Reeves (Hercules himself) almost became the TV Superman. In all seriousness, Steve Reeves had the physique to pull it off. IMHO, if Steve Reeves had landed the main role on "The Adventures of Superman," it would probably be entirely different. Maybe in an alternate universe. 😅
Thank you sir for reliving my childhood. When I was a kid George Reeves did a superior job as the Man of Steel. Wish he didn't pass away to work on more seasons & for George to witness his popularity worldwide.
I think Fred MacMurray ("My Three Sons") would've been an interesting choice to portray the "Big Red Cheese" on the silver screen in the late forties following Tom Tyler's portrayal in Republic Pictures' groundbreaking 1941 Saturday afternoon serial "The Adventures Of Captain Marvel," @@pulsarstargrave256...after all, Captain Marvel's creator, C.C. Beck, modeled the character visually after MacMurray.
This was a really interesting video, comparing the movie serials with the TV series, particularly how Kirk and George portrayed Superman. Thanks very much!
There is a bit of controversy as to why Phyllis Coaters didn't come back after the 1st season. She says she was asked by a producer not to take a part in a film that was filming during the break. But the director of the film pleaded with her. So, being a softee she took it and the producer fired her. That's when Noel Neill was asked if she would take the role. I always like Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane. She was a no-nonsense Lois. I thought Noel Neill was too wimpy. Besides Phyllis Coates was pretty hot. I grew up during that time. I remember Kirk Alyn and George Reeves. I didn't think George Reeves was Superman (after all, he was black and white) but that I could be. I'd tie my red bathrobe around my neck and run around the back yard with my arms outstretched "flying." I even had a small apple tree in the back yard where I could climb up and jump off and "land."
To this very day, I've always wondered why Phyllis Coates jumped ship after season one...sadly, as of 2023, she's the last surviving cast member of the "Adventures Of Superman" live-action television series (as well as one of the last surviving actors and actresses from the Golden Age Of Television overall), still alive and kicking at the ripe old age of 96. As you mentioned in your comment, Coates actually brought a no-nonsense and dead serious portrayal to her role as Lois, whereas Noel Neill became more of a stereotypical damsel-in-distress as the series progressed, especially after "The Adventures Of Superman" had transitioned from grimy monochrome to full color for the remainder of its run.
They may have had the scene just for a second where you see the girl looking out and the part where the father speaks was cut. The first time I saw the movie when I was a kid it was the long version on ABC. I know I've seen versions where the scene was gone and imdb says it was cut. There seems to be a few versions out there with different tweeks. But, yeah, I often wonder if the Mandela effect is real too. 😀
@@tvcrazyman Yeah, it was just a short shot, long enough to catch the cameo. Oh that ABC version was so freaking long. I remember watching that and thinking, NONE of this was in the movie. All the stuff with Lex in the North Pole was added back in and though cool to watch, it killed the momentum. All those UFO hearings need to ask if they cause the Mandela effect. That would answer a lot, before raising more questions.
As I already mentioned in another of TV Crazyman's previous videos last weekend, Republic Pictures had actually approached the fatcats at DC Comics (then known as National Periodical Publications) with a proposal to adapt Superman to film as early as 1940, but DC declined Republic's offer. Undaunted, Republic instead adapted Superman's chief rival on the newsstands, Captain "Shazam!" Marvel (then published by Fawcett Publications), into an innovative and groundbreaking serial the following year.
I couldn't agree with you more, @@DarrylRuiz-s1w! The visual effects in Republic's groundbreaking 1941 Saturday afternoon serial "The Adventures Of Captain Marvel"--particularly the midair flying sequences--were indeed top-notch; I only wish Columbia had rolled out the red carpet on both of their threadbare "Batman" and "Superman" serials! Oh, well.
Another entertaining video! I thoroughly enjoyed examining the noticeable differences between both Columbia Pictures' threadbare Saturday afternoon theatrical serials starring Kirk Alyn (released in 1948 and 1950, respectively) and the famous "Adventures Of Superman" live-action television series starring the legendary George Reeves! It's criminally unfortunate none of Superman's rogues gallery made any appearances on the live-action "Adventures Of Superman" television series...I would've wanted to see Otto Preminger portray Superman's greatest nemesis, scientific genius Lex Luthor, in a recurring role throughout its run, and Mickey Rooney would've been perfect in a few appearances as the mischievous imp Mr. Mxyzptlk. And I could've imagined Yul Brynner guest-starring as Brainiac! To this very day, I'm still puzzled as to why Phyllis Coates jumped ship as Lois Lane after its first season...as much as I adore Noel Neill, Coates brought a seriousness to the role that was practically no-nonsense. Sadly, Coates is the last surviving cast member of the live-action "Adventures Of Superman" television series--as well as one of the last surviving actors and actresses from the Golden Age of Television overall--at the ripe old age of 96 (as of 2023). And Jack Larson will always be THE definitive Jimmy Olsen. Thanks for sharing! Enjoy the remainder of your day, and keep up the good work!
You're very welcome, @@tvcrazyman. It's unfortunate the overall per-episode production budget for the live-action "Adventures Of Superman" television series didn't match or surpass the lavish production values of the live-action "Batman" television series (starring Adam West and Burt Ward) a decade later. It's a low down dirty crying shame the bigwigs at DC (then known as National Periodical Publications) refused to allow other DC superheroes make guest appearances on "The Adventures Of Superman" during its run. I would've wanted to see Rock Hudson as Batman, Rita Hayworth as Wonder Woman, James Dean as the Flash, and Paul Newman as Green Lantern. And could you imagine Clark Gable appearing as the Prankster? Or Ed Wynn in a recurring role as the Toyman? Or even Marilyn Monroe or Jayne Mansfield making a special guest appearance as Supergirl? Guess we'll never know, will we? Thanks for commenting. Enjoy your day, bro.
When my two oldest sisters took me to see Superman, the version that was shown at our theater in Rock Hill, SC, had Noel Neil and Kirk Alyn on the train.
Interesting. The first time I saw Superman the Movie was it's first broadcast on ABC and that was the extended version. I remember watching it later and wondering where half the scenes went.
Clint Walker would have been a great choice to play Superman in the 1950's. He was 6 feet 6 inches tall, and his muscles were made of steel. I can remember watching Clint Walker in his 1950's western Cheyenne, as Cheyenne Bodie.
@@franknew9001 I'm glad someone finally agrees with me about Clint Walker playing Superman, oh by the way did you ever see Clint in the movie "Maya" with Jay North?
@JeffreyWLaRue-- I did see Clint Walker in "Maya" many years ago. "Dennis The Menace" starring Jay North was another one of my favorite programs in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Other Clint Walker movies that I have seen and liked are: Yuma 1971 The Dirty Dozen 1967 Yellowstone Kelly 1959 Fort Dobbs 1958 I recently watched "Yuma" from 1971 free on UA-cam. By the way, Clint Walker was 13 years younger than George Reeves, who was 45 when he died in 1959.
@JefferyWLaRue-- Today is May 30, 2024, and Clint Walker was born on May 30, 1927. Clint is now up in heaven, so let's wish a Happy 97th Birthday up there.
The 'Pan' back then gave way to the 'tuning fork' which they used with Brie Larson as Captain Marvel. Same principle, but they could twist her around a lot faster. I grew up watching the George Reeves Superman...as a six-year-old kid, it was amazing. Who cared if they used stock shots and the same music each episode...it was a thrill then. As for characterization, I'd have to say that Christopher Reeve had that 'Superman' look as well as the Clark Kent look. George Reeves had his Clark Kent down perfectly, that wink to the camera...breaking the fourth wall, as it were. As for Kirk Alyn, he was more athletic than Reeves, but he didn't have that kind of noble bearing that Reeves did. That said, all three were good in their time. Nowadays, you had Brandon Routh's one outing in Superman Returns, and while the film was derivative, he gave a solid performance. Henry Cavill has the best physique of any of them, but people complained that he was too dour. I didn't think so. As for the new Superman actor, wait and see. ETA: Phyllis Coates left after the first season because she got an offer to act in another TV series...ironically, it never worked out. And most fans preferred Noel Neill as Lois Lane, I think. I certainly did, and she remained a fun person and a gracious person her whole life.
What upsets me about the Adventures of Superman is why hasn’t it been remastered yet. I mean come on this the serials the Lone Ranger and so on need to be remastered it annoys me at 37 years old watching the show on dvd and on tv not seeing it in beautiful picture and sound.
Thanks again TVCrazyman for really bringing to light all the foibles of these great TV Series. Superman was unique as being probably the first TV show in color. Incidentally, I am curious as to what color film was used as it doesn't look like Eastman Color. Does anyone have a clue as to what film was used? 😅
it would be interesting if someone would redo the Kirk Allyn flight scenes in modern CGI to make it look more like it's really him. Of course, it would have to match the rest of the movie in appearance
Actually, with the Superman movies with Christopher Reeve, they used a combination of wires and the flying tilt pan like the TV show, but the tilt pan was perfected so that Christopher Reeve had more range of motion for the close up flying effects. Plus the blue screens were a little better in the 70's than the 50's.
ONE I COULD'NT TAKE, WAS KIRK'S WEIRD IDEA OF JUMPING INTO THE AIR....FROM TIME TO TIME... DOING A KIND OF BALLET THING!!!??????? LATER ON I FOUND OUT KIRK HAD EXPERIENCE IN THE BALLET.... O-K-A-YYYYYYY.... IT STILL LOOKS WEIRD 😁😉
@@demetriusdillard2863It really is just a matter of who was Superman when you were a kid growing up and first saw the character. Reeves will always be my Superman because he was the first Superman ever saw even before I read the comics. I loved Christopher Reeve but I thought his portrayal of Clark Kent was a bit too silly making it seem unrealistic, but that's just a matter of personal preference.
according to Eli Wallach, he had to do similar train scene as well. He had actually put his nead next to train tracks in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. He too, like Alan, wz very concerned. I think some of the differences between TV & Serial has to do with audiences. Most likely the TV show wz for a much younger audience.
You always have fun videos, informative. I actually came to this video because in in an Adventures of Superman Facebook group and I know you might have some answers . I've reached a dead end on a question that was asked . Who else tried out to play Superman in the series. I know Kirk Alyn was asked and turned it down . I know they did casting because I saw George Reeves casting call for the show. If you know who else tried out I'd appreciate it and share with the group as well as share your video . Thanks if you don't know anything else. I understand I did a pretty good search with only vague leads like many actors tried out for the part.
Allyn got the hair right. In those moments in fight scenes where Reeves’ hair becomes momentarily unglued and flops over his forehead are the only times it starts to look right, and make me wonder why they didn’t leave it like that. I had the same (admittedly pedantic) problem with Henry Cavill - only with him it was more infuriating because they’d cast an actor with naturally curly hair, who in his private life wears his hair almost exactly like the comic book Superman (parted on his right with an “s” shaped kiss curl flopping over his forehead), but for the movies they chose to reverse the part and slick it back.
Using a cartoon for any effect kinda defeated the purpose of doing the project in live action. If they couldn't find a way to make live action flying effects during the film serial era the appropriate solution would have been producing the serials as full animated cartoons. On the other hand It's amazing to think that several decades before Who Framed Roger Rabbit the technology to blend 2D animation with live action existed.
@LTKNT....MGM had already done it previously with Gene Kelly dancing alongside Jerry the Mouse in "Anchors Away". Plus, Disney had Mickey interact with Leopold Stokowski in "Fantasia". Of course, Stokowski was in shade, so perhaps they animated him for that scene.
I've never seen Kirk Allen except in your clips but he looks a lot more like Superman than George Reeves. My whole life I have always thought Reeves was far too old for the role.
Reeves was actually 37 when he was cast as the Man of Steel on the live-action "Adventures Of Superman" television series, as was Adam West when he began his long career portraying Batman on television--both in live-action and two-dimensional animation--over a decade later.
I don't mind the way they made Kirk fly it's no different to how they do it today with Tyler Hoechlin except Kirk Alyn isn't always sonic booming in and out of shot and breaking the ground when he lands. Kirk also has a better looking costume.
Yeah, George Reeves always had a big warm smile. Seemed like a genuinely cheerful kind of a guy. Which is why I find it so strange he later commited suicide. 😮
Two awesome Superman (Supermen?). I wish Alyn had at least guest-starred in the TV show (maybe as a fellow Kryptonian? Years before Mon-El showed up in Superboy, there was a Golden Age version of the tale of Supermsn's Brother, I believe. I always wonder what Alyn-Superman fans thought of the "new" one when George showed up. But nice that Superman has kept both men's legacy alive. Makes me also think of the shame of past franchises fading into obscurity thanks to aging original fans and little to none later ones (Tom Corbett, Space Cadet always comes to mind. Hopalong Cassedy too. Maybe Bulldog Drummond even qualifies).
George Reeves was a great Superman, but I always though he looked more like Captain Marvel. Imagine if he'd done that character in a show instead? And Allyn had been Superman? Wonder what Fawcett villains, if any, we might've seen.
Well, I mean in comparison to Kirk Alyn who had the comic book hair. Each actor had their strong points and areas they excelled in that was different from each other, at least in my opinion.
I am fascinated by the Superman I never knew, the one in the serials. Is there any place where the two serials are presented in their entirety? On UA-cam or dvd? You've enticed me so much, I just have to see that iteration of Superman that my father knew. Please let me know here. Great video!
Cool video, but tbh, I'm pretty confused you think Kirk Alyn looks more like Superman than George Reeves! The only way in which I can think of this making sense is that George Reeves was pretty old for Superman, and as a result in the later seasons, he looks like he's too hold to be Superman. However, I don't find this to be much of a problem in the first couple of seasons. His general facial structure is pretty close to Superman's and he has a cleft chin. Pretty Superman-like to me.
Don't get me wrong, I think they were both great as Superman, but Alyn looked a little more like Superman from the comics to me, mostly because of his hair I guess.
Kool very thank you 🙏🏻 I got up today and put my TV on the heroes and icons Channel. But Superman was not on it was Cheyenne. So I thought they must’ve change their programming. Not until hours later that I realized today was Friday not Saturday. I thought it was Saturday for some reason 😹 I suppose I’m showing my age 😻
It was Christopher Reeve in the '70s, not the '80s, were they really made us believe a man could fly! Chris' sequels just didn't look as good as the original 1978 movie and the franchise just kind of fell apart after that.
I enthusiastically concur. After "Superman II," the franchise crumbled and sputtered through two mediocre installments--1983's "Superman III" and 1987's "Superman IV: The Quest For Peace"--before becoming persona non grata from the silver screen and ending up being mired in development hell (with a few rejected proposals along the way, most notably Kevin Smith's ambitious "Superman Lives") for nearly two decades.
@demetriusdillard2863 It seems like everything fell apart when Richard Donner left in 1978. Fortunately, he already had most of the sequel filmed before he left. It's amazing to think that the principal photography on both I & II began before Star Wars premiered and changed the cinematic universe. They were taking a very expensive risk.
You're absolutely right. Donner had filmed approximately eighty percent of "Superman II" before he was relieved of his duties and terminated by Ilya and Alexander Salkind. Luckily, Donner had the opportunity to atone for his abrupt firing when he recut his own version of "Superman II" in 2006. Thanks for commenting, @@larryjex6485.
George Reeve wasn't the best Superman because he didn't look like him. It was Christopher Reeves is the best Superman because he look and act like The Man of Steel from the comic books.
PPL ❤️. BC HE'S A SCI-FI CHARACTER. KIDS WAS IN LOVE WITH HIM... A FLYING MAN WITH S.S.&S.F.&BULLET PROOF. EVERY KID IN AMERICA WISH SM WAS THEIR DAD!!! BC OF THE THING HE COULD DO... MY DAD CAN FLY, PICK UP CARS, RUN FASTER THAN A BULLET& IS BULLETPROOF.😂😂😂
@@demetriusdillard2863 That’s OK,But I never liked the Way Larson talked about George in Interviews after He passed,Insisting He took his own Life,Where there is Loads of evidence suggesting otherwise.
No problem, @@retrobilly1719...no problem at all. You're certainly entitled to your opinion(s). George Reeves' tragic death on June 16, 1959 remains one of Hollywood's greatest unsolved murder mysteries, bar none. Whether he was a victim of a homicide or simply decided to end it all by committing suicide, Reeves didn't deserve to go out the way he did. The excellent 2006 biopic "Hollywoodland" (starring Academy Award winner Ben Affleck as Reeves) presents several different scenarios as to what may have happened on that night, as well as an insight into Reeves' life before and after hitting the big time as the Man of Steel. Even the equally amazing true crime book "Hollywood Kryptonite" (co-written by Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger) explores the seedier side of Tinseltown as well as the declining studio system during the 1950s when television became a threat to once-illustrious motion picture studios such as MGM. Enjoy the remainder of your day, bro.
When it comes to the character of Superman George Reeves played him best. Most people, including myself, give Christopher Reeve the extra point because of his look. But the mannerisms, the sophisticated sound of his voice, and his no nonsense direct approach makes George Reeves the quintessential Superman.
Always amazes me how they did the special effects in those days still think I perfer them to today's CGI 😀
There's a bit more magic in the old days. I remember watching TV specials on behind the scenes on movies and how they did it. It was always amazing to find out what they did, because there was so many tricks they used. Now everything is summed up with one word...cgi.
Can't argue that. CGI and motion capture both look s**tty nowadays compared to the special visual and make-up effects of yesteryear.
Thank you for this look back into my childhood. I was a kid in the 60s watching the TV series re-runs and loved it. As an adult, I got to watch the serial and loved it too.
Thanks for putting this video up. Always good to see new information on my hero.
As a young boy I watched George Reeves every week day after school without fail. I just loved that show and of course as the years rolled on I was able to renew the interest with Christopher Reeve, though George would always be the real Superman to me.
Later I would come to realise what an amazing job Jack Larsen did as Jimmy Olsen. I don't think anyone has ever played that role better.
Glad you enjoyed it. It's always fun doing videos on my favorite comic book characters and TV shows I watched as a kid, which I watched Reeves in re-runs about the same time I saw Christopher Reeve the first time as Superman, or close to it. 😀
Here's an extra bit of trivia: The producers of the two serials approached Paramount Studios (originally Fletcher Studios) to create the animation flying sequences. Fletcher Studios had produced the wonderful animation Superman films in the 1940s, so it was a natural choice. Paramount offered two choices - really good animation sequences at $60 a foot, or much cheaper animation at $30 per foot. Sadly, the cheaper animation was chosen.
Imagine that. The lavishly produced Fleischer animated shorts would've juxtaposed perfectly with Columbia's rather slipshod efforts at simulating Superman's incredible flying sequences in live-action form. Too bad.
@@demetriusdillard2863 They should have used the technique Republic Pictures used in The Adventures Of Captain Marvel, a 1941 serial. If you are not familiar with this movie serial, it's on U Tube. The flying effects were very good and were.never used in any of the Superman serials or the TV show. Pity.
Kirk Alyn was a nice. guy who I met a few times and even interviewed. But he wasn't a convincing Superman. As Superman he was a bit stiff while George Reeves projected a lot more personality in the role.
Lyle Talbot, who played Lex Luthor in the second Superman serial, was a seriously underrated actor in his time. Today we can see the scope of his career by the sheer number and variety of the supporting parts he played. I, for one, am in awe of him. He could play any type of character, and did, and his range is amazing. From what I have read he was also a really nice man and his daughter speaks very highly of him as a father. Do yourselves a favor if you love films from the 1930s to the early 1960s and choose and watch a film or serial with Lyle Talbot in a supporting role. He really disapears into his characters. and he does things with his face and eyes in reaction to other characters that put modern actors to shame, except for a few like Paul Dano and Samuel L. Jackson.
Lyle Talbot was the perfect Lex Luthor . . . . he came across as someone who was definitely not a "Happy Camper"!
@@rseabrk1 I agree. He is great as Lex and gets the tone just right.
Lyle Talbot later co-starred in a handful of Ed Wood's bargain-basement flicks, including the immortal (and infamous) "Plan 9 From Outer Space."
@@demetriusdillard2863 And he still came out of those films looking like a real actor in an amateur film. As I said, he was truly versatile.
His daughter, Margaret Talbot, an acclaimed journalist, also wrote a biography of her dad. I haven't read it yet but definitely want to at some point. He also lived a long life into his 90s, I believe.
I am old, hence the fact that I watched this, but while the newer generations know Superman from the movies, I knew him from TV, and so I am afraid that I am a bit TV prejudiced and choose George Reeves as my idol. One thing I always liked was his personality: he seemed to like to smile a lot and he just had that rare quality that top salesmen have that cause you to trust them. He was very special.
I think who you grew up with definitely affects your favorite, but having said that George Reeves was definitely a great Superman, Kirk Alyn fit the look, and Christopher Reeve was like the ultimate Superman to me, but there were some areas I would say George was better than Christopher. In my comic book fan mind I guess I see them as Supermen from different parallel Earths. They all have their strong points.
Phyllis Coates had other commitments after the first season because the producers of the show didn't know if they were going to have a second season or not. That's why Coates didn't appear for season 2 onward. I think there was a Rumor that Steve Reeves (Hercules himself) almost became the TV Superman.
In all seriousness, Steve Reeves had the physique to pull it off.
IMHO, if Steve Reeves had landed the main role on "The Adventures of Superman," it would probably be entirely different. Maybe in an alternate universe. 😅
I Read somewhere that Coates was not happy with the direction her character was going to go in subsequent seasons.
George Reeves was the Superman I grew up watching,a local TV station showed reruns of the show every Saturday afternoon back in the 70s.
They were Both Fantastic as Superman
In my opinion, George Reeves' face looked much more like Joe Shuster's drawings of Superman than Kirk Alyn's did.
I loved Reeves in that show, especially when he'd wink at the camera... US KIDS! I loved Noel Neill as Lois, too.
My favorite superman is George Reeves.
Special effects in cereals work quite impressive for their time.
George Reeves can’t be topped-he has a ton of charm, warmth, and charisma.
How are you doing
George Reeves WAS Superman!!!!!
Kirk Alyn died in 1999 which means he not only saw George Reeves TV Superman but many TV and other Superman movies.
Wow Amazing! Great video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you very much!
Thank you sir for reliving my childhood. When I was a kid George Reeves did a superior job as the Man of Steel. Wish he didn't pass away to work on more seasons & for George to witness his popularity worldwide.
I hope you all enjoy the video on the early Superman movie serials compared to the 1950's TV series with George Reeves.😀
Thank you! I most certainly did! Keep up the good work, bro!
With Kirk Alyn smiling. all the time as Supes, I wonder if would have made a pretty good Captain Marvel (Shazam) after Tom Tyler?
I think Fred MacMurray ("My Three Sons") would've been an interesting choice to portray the "Big Red Cheese" on the silver screen in the late forties following Tom Tyler's portrayal in Republic Pictures' groundbreaking 1941 Saturday afternoon serial "The Adventures Of Captain Marvel," @@pulsarstargrave256...after all, Captain Marvel's creator, C.C. Beck, modeled the character visually after MacMurray.
This was a really interesting video, comparing the movie serials with the TV series, particularly how Kirk and George portrayed Superman. Thanks very much!
Glad you enjoyed it!
There is a bit of controversy as to why Phyllis Coaters didn't come back after the 1st season. She says she was asked by a producer not to take a part in a film that was filming during the break. But the director of the film pleaded with her. So, being a softee she took it and the producer fired her. That's when Noel Neill was asked if she would take the role. I always like Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane. She was a no-nonsense Lois. I thought Noel Neill was too wimpy. Besides Phyllis Coates was pretty hot.
I grew up during that time. I remember Kirk Alyn and George Reeves. I didn't think George Reeves was Superman (after all, he was black and white) but that I could be. I'd tie my red bathrobe around my neck and run around the back yard with my arms outstretched "flying." I even had a small apple tree in the back yard where I could climb up and jump off and "land."
To this very day, I've always wondered why Phyllis Coates jumped ship after season one...sadly, as of 2023, she's the last surviving cast member of the "Adventures Of Superman" live-action television series (as well as one of the last surviving actors and actresses from the Golden Age Of Television overall), still alive and kicking at the ripe old age of 96.
As you mentioned in your comment, Coates actually brought a no-nonsense and dead serious portrayal to her role as Lois, whereas Noel Neill became more of a stereotypical damsel-in-distress as the series progressed, especially after "The Adventures Of Superman" had transitioned from grimy monochrome to full color for the remainder of its run.
I heard she left because she was promised to get a strong female role but quit after being a damsel in distress.
Interesting theory, @@rossjones8426. Thanks for commenting.
Louis lane on the train was either in the theatrical release I saw when I was a kid or the Mandela effect strikes again.
They may have had the scene just for a second where you see the girl looking out and the part where the father speaks was cut. The first time I saw the movie when I was a kid it was the long version on ABC. I know I've seen versions where the scene was gone and imdb says it was cut. There seems to be a few versions out there with different tweeks. But, yeah, I often wonder if the Mandela effect is real too. 😀
@@tvcrazyman Yeah, it was just a short shot, long enough to catch the cameo.
Oh that ABC version was so freaking long. I remember watching that and thinking, NONE of this was in the movie. All the stuff with Lex in the North Pole was added back in and though cool to watch, it killed the momentum.
All those UFO hearings need to ask if they cause the Mandela effect. That would answer a lot, before raising more questions.
I remember seeing that scene in "Superman: The Movie" in the theater as well. I saw it at Graumann's Chinese Theater when it came out.
Tengo todas las temporadas de los 2 Superman para mi el mejor es George reeves siempre las miro soy fe Argentina saludos.😊😊😊😊😊
Those cartoon effects were BOGUS. I saw through that even as a kid, and my world was shattered.
It's a shame DC didn't choose Republic to do the flying effects still Kirk Alum is energetic as Superman but George is the best
As I already mentioned in another of TV Crazyman's previous videos last weekend, Republic Pictures had actually approached the fatcats at DC Comics (then known as National Periodical Publications) with a proposal to adapt Superman to film as early as 1940, but DC declined Republic's offer. Undaunted, Republic instead adapted Superman's chief rival on the newsstands, Captain "Shazam!" Marvel (then published by Fawcett Publications), into an innovative and groundbreaking serial the following year.
@@demetriusdillard2863 Theflying effects for Captain Marvel were excellent for the time Sam Katzman was notorious for low budgets at Columbia
I couldn't agree with you more, @@DarrylRuiz-s1w! The visual effects in Republic's groundbreaking 1941 Saturday afternoon serial "The Adventures Of Captain Marvel"--particularly the midair flying sequences--were indeed top-notch; I only wish Columbia had rolled out the red carpet on both of their threadbare "Batman" and "Superman" serials! Oh, well.
Kirk Alyn was the best Superman
I really enjoyed this video thank you for sharing it with the world. Young man! 👍🏼💯
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you very much!
I cried when george died.i beleived a man could fly.I still will only love Superman.i met noel niel at a convention
Another entertaining video! I thoroughly enjoyed examining the noticeable differences between both Columbia Pictures' threadbare Saturday afternoon theatrical serials starring Kirk Alyn (released in 1948 and 1950, respectively) and the famous "Adventures Of Superman" live-action television series starring the legendary George Reeves!
It's criminally unfortunate none of Superman's rogues gallery made any appearances on the live-action "Adventures Of Superman" television series...I would've wanted to see Otto Preminger portray Superman's greatest nemesis, scientific genius Lex Luthor, in a recurring role throughout its run, and Mickey Rooney would've been perfect in a few appearances as the mischievous imp Mr. Mxyzptlk. And I could've imagined Yul Brynner guest-starring as Brainiac!
To this very day, I'm still puzzled as to why Phyllis Coates jumped ship as Lois Lane after its first season...as much as I adore Noel Neill, Coates brought a seriousness to the role that was practically no-nonsense. Sadly, Coates is the last surviving cast member of the live-action "Adventures Of Superman" television series--as well as one of the last surviving actors and actresses from the Golden Age of Television overall--at the ripe old age of 96 (as of 2023).
And Jack Larson will always be THE definitive Jimmy Olsen.
Thanks for sharing! Enjoy the remainder of your day, and keep up the good work!
Thanks. Mickey Rooney as Mxyzptlk would have been very interesting. Yul Brynner as Braniac would have been pretty cool as well.
You're very welcome, @@tvcrazyman. It's unfortunate the overall per-episode production budget for the live-action "Adventures Of Superman" television series didn't match or surpass the lavish production values of the live-action "Batman" television series (starring Adam West and Burt Ward) a decade later.
It's a low down dirty crying shame the bigwigs at DC (then known as National Periodical Publications) refused to allow other DC superheroes make guest appearances on "The Adventures Of Superman" during its run. I would've wanted to see Rock Hudson as Batman, Rita Hayworth as Wonder Woman, James Dean as the Flash, and Paul Newman as Green Lantern.
And could you imagine Clark Gable appearing as the Prankster? Or Ed Wynn in a recurring role as the Toyman? Or even Marilyn Monroe or Jayne Mansfield making a special guest appearance as Supergirl? Guess we'll never know, will we?
Thanks for commenting. Enjoy your day, bro.
George reeves, the best superman ever.
If you look close when Clark is changing the set of gone with the wind in the backround
GOT TO ADMIT THIS WAS GOOD:!!!!......
GEORGE REEVES...
THE ONE AND ONLY
***SUPERMAN***
George Reeves ROCKED as Superman AND as Clark Kent. Phyllis Coates was a fantastic Lois Lane and one of THE BEST ever in the role.
When my two oldest sisters took me to see Superman, the version that was shown at our theater in Rock Hill, SC, had Noel Neil and Kirk Alyn on the train.
Interesting. The first time I saw Superman the Movie was it's first broadcast on ABC and that was the extended version. I remember watching it later and wondering where half the scenes went.
My favorite superman/ George Reeves episode was when lois and Jimmy had supermans powers
I have always considered George Reeves the definitive Superman, the epitome. ⬅⬆
I would say that Clint Walker was my choice to play Superman!!!!!
Clint Walker would have been a great choice to play Superman in the 1950's. He was 6 feet 6 inches tall, and his muscles were made of steel.
I can remember watching Clint Walker in his 1950's western Cheyenne, as Cheyenne Bodie.
@@franknew9001 I'm glad someone finally agrees with me about Clint Walker playing Superman, oh by the way did you ever see Clint in the movie "Maya" with Jay North?
@JeffreyWLaRue-- I did see Clint Walker in "Maya" many years ago. "Dennis The Menace" starring Jay North was another one of my favorite programs in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
Other Clint Walker movies that I have seen and liked are:
Yuma 1971
The Dirty Dozen 1967
Yellowstone Kelly 1959
Fort Dobbs 1958
I recently watched "Yuma" from 1971 free on UA-cam.
By the way, Clint Walker was 13 years younger than George Reeves, who was 45 when he died in 1959.
@@franknew9001 Clint was also in Sam Wiskey, None but the Brave and Night of the Grizzly!!!!!
@JefferyWLaRue-- Today is May 30, 2024, and Clint Walker was born on May 30, 1927. Clint is now up in heaven, so let's wish a Happy 97th Birthday up there.
Kirk Alyn also played Blackhawk in a Serial.
This was very informative. Thank you for sharing this.
Appreciate it.
I love these classic serials goofs and bloopers can't beat it
The 'Pan' back then gave way to the 'tuning fork' which they used with Brie Larson as Captain Marvel. Same principle, but they could twist her around a lot faster.
I grew up watching the George Reeves Superman...as a six-year-old kid, it was amazing. Who cared if they used stock shots and the same music each episode...it was a thrill then. As for characterization, I'd have to say that Christopher Reeve had that 'Superman' look as well as the Clark Kent look. George Reeves had his Clark Kent down perfectly, that wink to the camera...breaking the fourth wall, as it were.
As for Kirk Alyn, he was more athletic than Reeves, but he didn't have that kind of noble bearing that Reeves did. That said, all three were good in their time. Nowadays, you had Brandon Routh's one outing in Superman Returns, and while the film was derivative, he gave a solid performance. Henry Cavill has the best physique of any of them, but people complained that he was too dour. I didn't think so. As for the new Superman actor, wait and see.
ETA: Phyllis Coates left after the first season because she got an offer to act in another TV series...ironically, it never worked out. And most fans preferred Noel Neill as Lois Lane, I think. I certainly did, and she remained a fun person and a gracious person her whole life.
What upsets me about the Adventures of Superman is why hasn’t it been remastered yet. I mean come on this the serials the Lone Ranger and so on need to be remastered it annoys me at 37 years old watching the show on dvd and on tv not seeing it in beautiful picture and sound.
Another great posting. Thanks👍
That was brilliant
Thanks 😀
Love your work !!
Thank you!
Thanks again TVCrazyman for really bringing to light all the foibles of these great TV Series. Superman was unique as being probably the first TV show in color. Incidentally, I am curious as to what color film was used as it doesn't look like Eastman Color. Does anyone have a clue as to what film was used? 😅
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks. I'm not sure about the color question. Maybe somebody out there knows.
it would be interesting if someone would redo the Kirk Allyn flight scenes in modern CGI to make it look more like it's really him. Of course, it would have to match the rest of the movie in appearance
Actually, with the Superman movies with Christopher Reeve, they used a combination of wires and the flying tilt pan like the TV show, but the tilt pan was perfected so that Christopher Reeve had more range of motion for the close up flying effects. Plus the blue screens were a little better in the 70's than the 50's.
ONE I COULD'NT TAKE,
WAS KIRK'S WEIRD
IDEA OF JUMPING INTO THE AIR....FROM
TIME TO TIME... DOING A
KIND OF BALLET
THING!!!???????
LATER ON I FOUND
OUT KIRK HAD EXPERIENCE IN THE
BALLET....
O-K-A-YYYYYYY....
IT STILL LOOKS
WEIRD 😁😉
Never realised there was a Kirk Alyn cameo in Superman The Movie.
George reeves was the best superman
Reeves was great for his time, but Christopher Reeve will always be the definitive Superman. Period.
@@demetriusdillard2863 I don’t agree with you
@@demetriusdillard2863It really is just a matter of who was Superman when you were a kid growing up and first saw the character.
Reeves will always be my Superman because he was the first Superman ever saw even before I read the comics.
I loved Christopher Reeve but I thought his portrayal of Clark Kent was a bit too silly making it seem unrealistic, but that's just a matter of personal preference.
No problem, @@chrisfz5501...no problem at all. We're all entitled to an opinion or two. Thanks for commenting.
You're absolutely right. We're all entitled to an opinion. Thanks for commenting, @@LSOK38.
So he was seriously holding that thing with the train moving? 😮wow
When it came to the special effects the George and Kirk was like meh, then Captain Marvel came around and said hold my beer.
George always made you feel that he was your buddy
Excellent!!! Thanks!
You're welcome! I appreciate it.
according to Eli Wallach, he had to do similar train scene as well. He had actually put his nead next to train tracks in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. He too, like Alan, wz very concerned. I think some of the differences between TV & Serial has to do with audiences. Most likely the TV show wz for a much younger audience.
Curt Alain ‘s Superman movie serials introduced Lex Luther for first time. Known as Just Luther.
You always have fun videos, informative. I actually came to this video because in in an Adventures of Superman Facebook group and I know you might have some answers . I've reached a dead end on a question that was asked . Who else tried out to play Superman in the series. I know
Kirk Alyn was asked and turned it down . I know they did casting because I saw George Reeves casting call for the show. If you know who else tried out I'd appreciate it and share with the group as well as share your video . Thanks if you don't know anything else. I understand I did a pretty good search with only vague leads like many actors tried out for the part.
Thanks, I'm not sure about that, but as much research as i do, it's likely I'll run into it eventually.
@@tvcrazyman Cool thanks . Enjoy your videos
Allyn got the hair right. In those moments in fight scenes where Reeves’ hair becomes momentarily unglued and flops over his forehead are the only times it starts to look right, and make me wonder why they didn’t leave it like that. I had the same (admittedly pedantic) problem with Henry Cavill - only with him it was more infuriating because they’d cast an actor with naturally curly hair, who in his private life wears his hair almost exactly like the comic book Superman (parted on his right with an “s” shaped kiss curl flopping over his forehead), but for the movies they chose to reverse the part and slick it back.
Using a cartoon for any effect kinda defeated the purpose of doing the project in live action. If they couldn't find a way to make live action flying effects during the film serial era the appropriate solution would have been producing the serials as full animated cartoons. On the other hand It's amazing to think that several decades before Who Framed Roger Rabbit the technology to blend 2D animation with live action existed.
@LTKNT....MGM had already done it previously with Gene Kelly dancing alongside Jerry the Mouse in "Anchors Away". Plus, Disney had Mickey interact with Leopold Stokowski in "Fantasia". Of course, Stokowski was in shade, so perhaps they animated him for that scene.
I liked keirk Allen flying
I've never seen Kirk Allen except in your clips but he looks a lot more like Superman than George Reeves. My whole life I have always thought Reeves was far too old for the role.
Reeves was actually 37 when he was cast as the Man of Steel on the live-action "Adventures Of Superman" television series, as was Adam West when he began his long career portraying Batman on television--both in live-action and two-dimensional animation--over a decade later.
@@demetriusdillard2863 Wow, George looked more like 46. Rough life I guess.
@@TheRadioAteMyTV, George Reeves was 45 when he died on June 16, 1959. Thanks for commenting.
I grew up with Christopher Reeve Superman
The Superman movie actually looked really good
As a child during the Superman tv series I remember crying when I learned that George Reeves had died.
I don't mind the way they made Kirk fly it's no different to how they do it today with Tyler Hoechlin except Kirk Alyn isn't always sonic booming in and out of shot and breaking the ground when he lands. Kirk also has a better looking costume.
Yeah, George Reeves always had a big warm smile. Seemed like a genuinely cheerful kind of a guy. Which is why I find it so strange he later commited suicide. 😮
Two awesome Superman (Supermen?). I wish Alyn had at least guest-starred in the TV show (maybe as a fellow Kryptonian? Years before Mon-El showed up in Superboy, there was a Golden Age version of the tale of Supermsn's Brother, I believe. I always wonder what Alyn-Superman fans thought of the "new" one when George showed up. But nice that Superman has kept both men's legacy alive. Makes me also think of the shame of past franchises fading into obscurity thanks to aging original fans and little to none later ones (Tom Corbett, Space Cadet always comes to mind. Hopalong Cassedy too. Maybe Bulldog Drummond even qualifies).
George Reeves was a great Superman, but I always though he looked more like Captain Marvel. Imagine if he'd done that character in a show instead? And Allyn had been Superman? Wonder what Fawcett villains, if any, we might've seen.
In one scene, Superman looked like a ghost in the Daily Planet office. What episode of what series did that appear in?
I DON'T AGREE.....
GEORGE REEVES LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE SUPERMAN....
Well, I mean in comparison to Kirk Alyn who had the comic book hair. Each actor had their strong points and areas they excelled in that was different from each other, at least in my opinion.
I am fascinated by the Superman I never knew, the one in the serials. Is there any place where the two serials are presented in their entirety? On UA-cam or dvd? You've enticed me so much, I just have to see that iteration of Superman that my father knew. Please let me know here. Great video!
I got my DVD of the serials on Amazon - amzn.to/45LJ0CY Thanks
Prolly unpopular opinion here but i always have preferred Kirk's Superman to george
George always made you feel that he was your buddy.i wish he knew just how much we STILL love him
Good stuff
I wonder why they didn't get Kirk to play Pa Kent or Perry
Reeves' wires broke during the filming of " The Ghost Wolf" not "Superman and the Mole Men".
Interesting. That's the information I had read from Imdb I believe, it was.
Why Superman didn’t have a love interest back in the 60s until Christopher Reed RIP took over?
1950's TV Series Superman had Lois and Superman in love with each other for an episode. And it's Reeve not Reed.
@@louisborselio8608 Before my time and thanks for the correction!
Cool video, but tbh, I'm pretty confused you think Kirk Alyn looks more like Superman than George Reeves! The only way in which I can think of this making sense is that George Reeves was pretty old for Superman, and as a result in the later seasons, he looks like he's too hold to be Superman. However, I don't find this to be much of a problem in the first couple of seasons. His general facial structure is pretty close to Superman's and he has a cleft chin. Pretty Superman-like to me.
Don't get me wrong, I think they were both great as Superman, but Alyn looked a little more like Superman from the comics to me, mostly because of his hair I guess.
@@tvcrazyman OK, I'll give you that. Reeves' hair wasn't particularly Superman-like.
But Kirk Alyn was older than George Reeves, and they both were about 37-38 when they first played Superman.
Kool very thank you 🙏🏻
I got up today and put my TV on the heroes and icons Channel. But Superman was not on it was Cheyenne. So I thought they must’ve change their programming. Not until hours later that I realized today was Friday not Saturday. I thought it was Saturday for some reason 😹
I suppose I’m showing my age 😻
I forget what day it is on occasion. I get so busy the days run together. 😀
ah yea the Movie Cereals................
It was Christopher Reeve in the '70s, not the '80s, were they really made us believe a man could fly! Chris' sequels just didn't look as good as the original 1978 movie and the franchise just kind of fell apart after that.
I almost went back and changed that line, but there were two Christopher Reeve movies in the 80's so I thought what the heck.😀
I enthusiastically concur. After "Superman II," the franchise crumbled and sputtered through two mediocre installments--1983's "Superman III" and 1987's "Superman IV: The Quest For Peace"--before becoming persona non grata from the silver screen and ending up being mired in development hell (with a few rejected proposals along the way, most notably Kevin Smith's ambitious "Superman Lives") for nearly two decades.
@demetriusdillard2863
It seems like everything fell apart when Richard Donner left in 1978. Fortunately, he already had most of the sequel filmed before he left. It's amazing to think that the principal photography on both I & II began before Star Wars premiered and changed the cinematic universe. They were taking a very expensive risk.
You're absolutely right. Donner had filmed approximately eighty percent of "Superman II" before he was relieved of his duties and terminated by Ilya and Alexander Salkind. Luckily, Donner had the opportunity to atone for his abrupt firing when he recut his own version of "Superman II" in 2006. Thanks for commenting, @@larryjex6485.
George Reeve wasn't the best Superman because he didn't look like him. It was Christopher Reeves is the best Superman because he look and act like The Man of Steel from the comic books.
PPL ❤️. BC HE'S A SCI-FI CHARACTER. KIDS WAS IN LOVE WITH HIM... A FLYING MAN WITH S.S.&S.F.&BULLET PROOF. EVERY KID IN AMERICA WISH SM WAS THEIR DAD!!! BC OF THE THING HE COULD DO... MY DAD CAN FLY, PICK UP CARS, RUN FASTER THAN A BULLET& IS BULLETPROOF.😂😂😂
Baby Boomers and b4
I Think Bond was probably Better as Jimmy
I beg to differ. Jack Larson will always be THE definitive Jimmy Olsen, with Marc McClure ("Back To The Future") a very close second!
@@demetriusdillard2863 That’s OK,But I never liked the Way Larson talked about George in Interviews after He passed,Insisting He took his own Life,Where there is Loads of evidence suggesting otherwise.
No problem, @@retrobilly1719...no problem at all. You're certainly entitled to your opinion(s).
George Reeves' tragic death on June 16, 1959 remains one of Hollywood's greatest unsolved murder mysteries, bar none. Whether he was a victim of a homicide or simply decided to end it all by committing suicide, Reeves didn't deserve to go out the way he did. The excellent 2006 biopic "Hollywoodland" (starring Academy Award winner Ben Affleck as Reeves) presents several different scenarios as to what may have happened on that night, as well as an insight into Reeves' life before and after hitting the big time as the Man of Steel. Even the equally amazing true crime book "Hollywood Kryptonite" (co-written by Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger) explores the seedier side of Tinseltown as well as the declining studio system during the 1950s when television became a threat to once-illustrious motion picture studios such as MGM.
Enjoy the remainder of your day, bro.
🥰😍🤩🥳❤💯💥💫👍👍👍
I wonder why they didn't get Kirk to play Pa Kent or Perry
Kirk Alyn was the best Superman